**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** EARLY WEANING ISNECESSARY MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR PROFICTABLE PORK PRODUCTION. HOWEVER, EARLY WEANING IS STRESSFUL ON THE PIGLEST AND RESULTS IN LONG-LASTING INEFFICENCIES IN GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND INCREASED DISEASE RISK. IT IS KNOWN THAT THE GUT OFTHE YOUNG PIGLET AT WEANING ISHIGHLY SENSITIVE TO WEANING STRESSORS DEMONSTRATED BY LEAKY GUT AND INCREASED INFLAMMATION, WHCIH TOGETHER CAN HAVE LONG-LASTING NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON GUT DEVELOPMENT AND OVERALL PIG HEALTH.CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO TARGETED, EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE LEAKY GUT AND INFLAMMATION AT WEANING.THIS PROPOSED RESEARCH WILL INVESTIGATE THE ROLE OF HISTAMINE, A SUBSTANCE RELEASED PRIMARILY BY IMMUNE CELLS IN RESPONSE TO STRESS, AS A CAUSE OF LEAKY GUT AND INFLAMMATION IN WEANED PIGS. IF HISTAMINE IS ESTABLISHED AS A TARGET FOR LEAKY GUT AND INFLAMMATION, FUTURE STRATEGIES CAN BE FOCUSED ON CONTROLLING HISTAMINES LEVELS AS A NOVEL APPROACH TO OPTIMIZE PIG HEALTH.