| Genetic engineering of dairy animals provides a means for enhancing the nutritive and functional properties of milk by increasing the expression of novel and beneficial proteins. Our lab previously generated and characterized a line of transgenic dairy goats that express the anitmicrobial protein human lysozyme (hLZ) at 68% of the level seen in human breast milk. hLZ is an important nonspecific immune defense factor in human milk and is thought to help in conferring the positive health effects associated with breastfeeding. In addition to its antimicrobial role, lysozyme is also thought to contribute to intestinal health and modulation of immune responses. In order to investigate the impact of pasteurized milk containing hLZ on health, we performed a feeding trial followed by an acute challenge with an enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) in young pigs. Multiple parameters, including weight and growth, intestinal health and morphology, modulation of intestinal microbiota, protection against bacterial infection, immune and inflammatory response, and the serum metabolite profile were evaluated through several studies. We found that the consumption of hLZ-containing milk was able to improve intestinal morphology, protect against an EPEC, and alter the serum metabolite profile in a positive manner without negatively affecting growth or causing an allergic or immune response either systemically or in the intestine. Overall, the results of these studies support the hypothesis that consumption of hLZ-containing milk has a positive effect on the health of young animals. |
