DISCUSSION
Heat stress disrupts intestinal tight junctions and increases intestinal permeability in rodents and humans (Hall et al., 2001; Dokladny et al., 2006), but whether this is directly caused by heat or indirectly mediated by reduced nutrient intake is not clear. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine if heat stress increases intestinal permeability directly or indirectly (mediated by reduced feed intake) in growing pigs. We report herein, both a feed intake and HS by time dependent regulation of intestinal integrity and function.