Effects of Microencapsulated Probiotics on Performance, Organ Development, Diarrhoea Incidences, Blood Parameters, Intestinal Histomorphology and Microflora in Weaning Piglets

Abstract

The study aimed to assess the effects of the dietary supplementation of microencapsulated L. acidophilus and L. plantarum and their combination on the growth performance, organ development, diarrhoea incidences, blood profiles, intestinal histomorphology and microflora in weaned piglets. For that, 160 piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 8.52 ± 0.15 kg were divided into four groups (40 piglets/group) and allotted to one of the four dietary treatments as follows: a basal diet (C diet) or a basal diet containing 1 × 108 CFU/g of L. acidophilus (LA diet), or a diet containing 3 × 108 CFU/g of L. plantarum (LP diet) and a diet with the combination of both bacterial strains (LA + LP diet) for 21 days. On day 14, probiotics significantly increased ADFI, while FCR was higher in the LA and LP groups than the C and LA + LP groups. No effects (p > 0.05) on visceral organs weight, intestinal pH and biochemical parameters among treatments were noticed. Treatments significantly lowered diarrhoea incidence compared to control. Villus width was greater (p < 0.05) in all small intestinal segments in piglets fed probiotics. In the jejunum and ileum villus length, crypt length, and total villi length were higher (p < 0.05), particularly in the LA + LP group. The probiotics, particularly the LA + LP group, modulated the cecal, jejunum and ileum microbial community structure and increased (p < 0.05) the amount of Lactobacillus spp. while decreasing the populations of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus. Our results indicated that dietary supplementation of microencapsulated probiotics, particularly the combination of L. plantarum and L acidophilus strains, maintained growth performance, lowered diarrhoea incidence and beneficially altered the intestinal architecture and microbial populations of weaned piglets.

Assessing the effects of microencapsulated Lactobacillus salivarius and cowpea seed supplementation on broiler chicken growth and health status

“…This effect is beneficial for chickens’ immunity because E. coli is able to multiply in large numbers in the host body and cause peritonitis, salpingitis, and pneumonitis, while under optimal breeding conditions marked by appropriate temperature, humidity, ventilation, and fecal management, the occurrence of colibacillosis is effectively prevented ( 13 ). Previous studies have evaluated the antioxidant activity of various Lactobacillus strains and indicated that LS showed good antioxidative properties ( 6 , 65 ), alleviating possible detrimental effects in the monogastric gut. In the present study, CSD15 with LS supplementation elevated the beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli in the ceca and excreta.…”

“…Health problems in broilers often arise due to their rapid growth rates, leading to issues like leg disorders and cardiovascular problems (3), underscoring the need for holistic approaches to improve bird wellbeing. The incorporation of feed additives and probiotics plays a vital role in addressing these concerns by promoting gut health, enhancing nutrient absorption, and bolstering immune responses, ultimately improving broiler welfare and productivity (4)(5)(6).…”

Effects of Single and Complex Probiotics in Growing-Finishing Pigs and Swine Compost

“…Probiotics can increase the efficiency of nitrogen utilization, improve nitrogen utilization, and increase BUN concentrations in pigs [32,33]. On the other hand, other studies have demonstrated that supplementation of probiotics has no effect on blood profiles of growing pigs [24,34]. These results were probably due to feed intake time or amount and gender differences.…”

Feeding Strategies and Nutritional Quality of Animal Products

“…Similarly, Batista et al [4], after supplementing immunomodulatory feed additives in weaned Nellore calves, found that their treatment had no effect on animal performance. Likewise, in Lefter et al study [5] on weaning piglets, probiotics supplements showed potential in enhancing production performance.…”

“…Consequently, the anticipated advantages of employing the immunomodulatory feed additive might have been addressed. The impact of microencapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation, individually and in combination, was studied by Lefter et al [5] on weaning piglets. Their findings revealed a remarkable reduction in diarrhea incidence that was particularly evident in the Lactobacillus plantarum and combined Lactobacillus acidophilus + Lactobacillus plantarum groups.…”