The probiotic Enterococcus faecium modifies the intestinal morphometric parameters in weaning piglets

Abstract

Global trends for animal production have seen a decrease in the use of antimicrobial compounds in feed, generating the need to implement new nutritional strategies that stimulate growth and promote intestinal health. This study aimed to determine whether the addition of E. faecium in drinking water improves intestinal morphometric parameters in post- weaning pigs compared with the probiotics strains L. acidophilus and L. casei on days 1 (21 days of age), 15 and 30 postweaning. The small intestine was completely removed to evaluate the morphometric parameters (length and width of villi and crypts) in the different intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). They were fed for 30 days with two diets: commercial diet with or without antibiotics. The different probiotics, L. acidophillus, L. casei and E. faecium, were administered in the drinking water of the animals that consumed the commercial diet without antibiotics. A randomized block design in split-plot arrangement was used. There was a significant increase (P<0.01) in the width and length of villi, and a decrease (P<0.01) in the values obtained for the width and depth of crypts in the animals that consumed E .faecium, as compared to those that consumed the diet with addition of antibiotics. The use of probiotics, especially E. faecium, is a nutritional treatment strategy when antimicrobial compound are used, improving the intestinal morphometric parameters and, at the same time, the digestive and productive parameters of the animals. Work is in progress to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation on the mofication of gut microbiota of post-weaning piglets.

Alterations of Small Intestinal Morphology on Villi and Crypts after Feeding Probiotic and Zinc in Pre and Post-weaned Piglets

“…In the current study, the mean villus width was found to be increased in most cases as the age advanced (Table 1). It was decreased towards the caudal parts of the small intestine in both the groups, as also reported by Galeano et al (2016) in probiotic fed piglets. Dietary inclusion of probiotic and zinc revealed higher villus width in all segments of the small intestine in different age-groups (Fig 2).…”

Evaluation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 and Clostridium butyricum probiotic supplements in post-weaning rabbits reared under thermal stress conditions

“…Consistently, indicated that dietary CB or EF improved the intestinal health development and absorption of nutrients in weaned piglets by reducing the crypt depth and incrementing the villus height. Also, in weaned piglets, EF enhanced the intestinal villi length (Galeano et al 2016). Additionally, Chen et al (2018) reported that the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal villus height was increased in lipopolysaccharide-challenged weaned piglets fed CB supplemented diet.…”

Effects of the Dietary Probiotic, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB11181, on the Intestinal Barrier and System Immune Status in Escherichia coli O78-Challenged Broiler Chickens

“…Probiotics have been proven to be beneficial for broiler breeding [14, 15]. E. faecium is a Lactobacillus genus that shows many positive effects on broiler growth and immunity [6, 7, 11, 12].…”

“…E. faecium increases the concentration of organic acids and bacteriocins, which are important for the alimentary tract because of their nutritional benefits for enterocytes and their inhibitory effects on pathogens [8]. Previous studies have indicated that E. faecium improves the metabolism of macronutrients [7], promotes growth performance [6, 9], inhibits pathogen proliferation [1, 10], improves intestinal morphology [6, 11], and enhances the immune response [12]. Additionally, E. faecium prevents E. coli -induced intestinal disorders and manipulates the cecal microflora [1].…”