ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes available literature on the gastrointestinal system of the minipig. As the gut microœora could pose a confounding factor in research focusing on the gastrointestinal tract, data with regard to the normal composition of the microœora are presented. In addition, the postnatal development of the gastrointestinal system in swine is reviewed since the pig is a valued animal model in perinatal research. Speci¢c data with regard to miniature pigs are scarce; therefore, an overview of the gastrointestinal system of the domestic pig is given with reference to the miniature pig when available.
