Oral supplementation of probiotics on the performance and gut histo-morphology of suckling piglets

Abstract

The effects of the oral supplementation of probiotics on the performance and intestinal histo-morphology of the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal mucosa, comparing with two different genetic lines (purebred Large White or crossbred Large White x Landrace) of suckling piglets were evaluated between 2 and 19 days of age. In total, 276 piglets were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement, with four replicates each. Treatments consisted of two genetic lines (130 purebred Large White and 146 crossbred Large White x Landrace piglets), two different probiotic products (probiotic bacteria or a combination of yeast and probiotic bacteria), and a control (basal diet with no addition). Probiotics increased the average daily weight gain (P=0.02), independently of genetic line, but did not influence (P>0.10) average daily feed intake. Crossbred piglets presented higher average daily feed intake (P=0.03) than purebreds. The incidence of diarrhea was not significantly different (P>0.10) among the treatments. Intestinal histo-morphometric parameters were not influenced by genetic lines (P>0.10). However, the piglets fed with the probiotic products exhibited higher duodenal villi compared with the control (P=0.01). In conclusion, piglets that received oral probiotics improved intestinal health and average daily weight gain, independent of the genetic lines. Higher duodenal villus were measured in P2 and P3 (450.37 μm and 435.62 μm, respectively) compared with the control group P1 (309.25 μm; P=0.01). Higher average daily weight gain was obtained in P2 and P3 (259.55 g and 250.50 g, respectively) compared with P1 (221.9 g; P=0.02).

Carcass Characteristics, Plasma Biochemical Profile and Faecal Microbial Count of Crossbred Pigs Supplemented With Probiotic, Prebiotic and Synbiotic

“…However, concerns associated with antibiotic residues in pork and development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in human, had led to its ban in European Union and South Korea. This has intensified the need for viable alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters (Haupenthal et al, 2020). Use of probiotics and prebiotics alone, or in combination, thus emerged as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in pigs (Joysowal et al, 2018).…”