** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** PIGS GET MOST OF THEIR NUTRIENTS FROM FOOD, BUT STRESS MESSES WITH THEIR GUTS AND HINDERS THEIR GROWTH. OUR RESEARCH FOCUSES ON HOW STRESS DISRUPTS DIGESTION, AIMING TO FIND WAYS TO KEEP THEM HEALTHY AND MAXIMIZE NUTRIENT ABSORPTION EVEN WHEN STRESSED. WE SUSPECT THAT HIDDEN PLAYERS IN THE GUT, LIKE NERVES AND HORMONE-PRODUCING CELLS, GET THROWN OFF-BALANCE BY STRESS, MESSING UP HOW WELL PIGS ABSORB NUTRIENTS. THE EXPERIMENT WILL INVOLVE STRESSING PIGS BY WEANING THEM AT DIFFERENT AGES. WE'LL THEN COMPARE HOW WELL THEY ABSORB NUTRIENTS FROM THEIR FOOD AND SEE IF THE NERVES AND HORMONE FUNCTIONS IN THEIR GUTS PLAY A ROLE. WE EXPECT EARLY WEANING TO DAMAGE BOTH THE GUT'S NERVE AND HORMONE SYSTEM, LEADING TO POORER NUTRIENT ABSORPTION. THIS RESEARCH IS EXPECTED TO REVEAL KEY INSIGHTS INTO HOW STRESS AFFECTS NUTRIENT TRANSPORTERS, PAVING THE WAY FOR NEW DIETARY APPROACHES. THESE APPROACHES COULD EITHER PROVIDE OPTIMAL NUTRITION FOR STRESSED PIGS OR DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFELONG ABILITY TO UTILIZE NUTRIENTS.