The objective of the present trial was to determine the effect of a thermostable probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis on health and production parameters of fattening rabbits from weaning until slaughter. In a rabbitry with average post-weaning mortality of 5-9%, 1,680 rabbits were supplied with: a) a basic feed, or b) the same basic feed supplemented with probiotic from the 4th day postweaning (41st day of age) up to 88th day of age. Clinical signs, microbiological status and growth performance were recorded for two distinct fattening periods, growing and finishing. A significant decrease in mortality of probiotictreated rabbits when compared to the controls was observed during the growing and entire fattening periods. Within these periods, E. coli and C. perfringens -but not P. multocida -were isolated at a lower frequency from probiotic-treated rabbits (p<0.05). Compared to the control animals, probiotic-treated rabbits were 54 g and 123 g heavier at the end of the growing and finishing phases, respectively, and had significantly higher average daily gain and better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05).
The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a commercial European porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)-inactivated vaccine after 18-month use in gilts/sows at a farm with high seroprevalence. In a farrow-to-finish farm with 1100 sows, all sows and gilts were systematically vaccinated with the PRRS-inactivated PROGRESSIS vaccine for a period of 18 months. Farm's reproductive and litter characteristics were longitudinally recorded for this period and historically compared with those of the year prior to vaccination. Serology, employing immunoperoxidase monolayer assay, had confirmed a high prevalence of PRRS-specific antibodies in most age groups within the farm prior to vaccination. Seroprevalence during the experiment ranged between 0% and 100% in weaners and growers, but remained at stable high levels (> 93%) in finishing pigs and gilts throughout all 2-year period of serology measurements. No local or systemic vaccine side effects were noted throughout the trial period. Vaccinations had resulted over time in a significant improvement of sow reproductive performance (e.g. reduction of premature farrowings, abortions and increase of farrowing rate) and litter characteristics (e.g. increase of the number of live born and weaned pigs and decrease of stillborn, mummified, weak and splay-legged piglets). It has also been observed that the higher the degree of immunization of a sow, the better the improvement of her reproductive parameters. Sows after vaccination have shown improved characteristics compared to homoparous sows prior to the application of vaccinations in the farm.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.