Dietary Lysozyme Alters Sow’s Gut Microbiota, Serum Immunity And Milk Metabolite Profile

This study examined whether adding lysozyme—a natural enzyme found in egg whites and human saliva that helps fight harmful bacteria—to the diet of pregnant pigs could improve their gut health and immune function. Twenty-four pregnant sows were divided into three groups: one receiving regular feed, and two receiving feed supplemented with different amounts of lysozyme for 21 days.

The researchers found that lysozyme supplementation significantly changed the gut bacteria composition in beneficial ways. The treated sows had fewer harmful bacteria like E. coli and more beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus, which supports digestive health and immune function. The higher dose of lysozyme reduced overall bacterial diversity but shifted the balance toward healthier bacterial populations.

These changes in gut bacteria were accompanied by improvements in the sows' immune system markers and changes in their milk composition that could benefit their offspring. The study suggests that lysozyme helps create a more balanced gut microbiome by selectively reducing harmful bacteria while promoting beneficial ones.

While this research was conducted in pigs, it adds to our understanding of how natural antimicrobial compounds like lysozyme might support gut health and immune function. For patients interested in metabolic health, this research highlights the potential role of targeted nutritional interventions in optimizing the gut microbiome, though human studies would be needed before making clinical recommendations.