Effects ofLactobacillus caseiandEnterococcus faecalison growth performance, immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of orally administrated Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis on performance, immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets. Neonatal piglets (n = 120) were randomly assigned to 4 groups, with 30 suckling piglets in each group. The piglets were from 15 litters, one male and one female piglet were selected for each group in each litter. The Control group was administrated with normal saline, the other groups with L. casei or E. faecalis or a combination of L. casei and E. faecalis at a ratio of 3:1. Each piglet was orally administrated with 1, 2, 3 and 4 ml probiotics or normal saline at the age of 1, 7, 14 and 21 d, respectively. The piglets were weaned at the age of 21 d. The results showed that compared with the Control group, the average daily gain of piglets administrated with probiotics was significantly increased, and the diarrhoea rate and mortality were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After supplementation of the combined probiotics, the protease activity in stomach, duodenum and colon was increased and in all supplemented groups, the immunoglobulin A concentration in plasma was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The combined probiotics significantly increased villus length and the expression level of transforming growth factor-β in the jejunum (p < 0.05) but decreased the expression level of the jejunal tumour necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05). In addition, probiotics could regulate gut microbiota and increase microbial similarity coefficients for keeping piglet gut microbiota stable.

Growth Performance and Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets Fed a Diet Supplemented with Probiotic Complexes

“…These findings are supported by earlier studies that showed positive effects on feed intake and growth performance in piglets fed diets supplemented with a complex of lactic acid bacteria during a 21-day post-weaning period [18]. The enhanced growth performance observed in our study is consistent with previous published reports [9,19,20].…”

Probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens C-1 Improves Growth Performance, Stimulates GH/IGF-1, and Regulates the Gut Microbiota of Growth-Retarded Beef Calves

“…The gastrointestinal tract supplies the largest number of immune cells; therefore, any factors that modify the gut situation will influence immunity (Altmeyer et al, 2014). It was reported that supplementation with L. casei and Enterococcus faecalis in sucking piglets increased serum IgA and IgG, but no treatment effects were observed for IgM (Liu et al, 2017). In our results, the function of growth-retarded calves greatly improved, and GH/IGF-1 was increased after intervention, but serum immunoglobulins demonstrated no obvious changes ( P > 0.05).…”

Effects of yogurt fermented withLactobacillus delbrueckiissp. bulgaricusOLL1073R‐1 on the IgA flow rate of saliva in elderly persons residing in a nursing home: A before‐after non‐randomised intervention study

“…The B‐cell isotype switch to IgA production is controlled by transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β; therefore, it is possible that L. casei strain Shirota induce the production of IgA1 and IgA2 via TGF‐β induction . Further, intake of combined probiotics comprising L. casei and Enterococcus faecalis significantly increased the expression level of TGF‐β in the piglet jejunum in another study . In the present study, it can be speculated that the intake of yogurt fermented with L. bulgaricus OLL1073R‐1 may also activate the gut mucosal immune system and increase the expression levels of cytokines in the gut.…”

“…27 Further, intake of combined probiotics comprising L. casei and Enterococcus faecalis significantly increased the expression level of TGFβ in the piglet jejunum in another study. 28 In the present study, it can be speculated that the intake of yogurt fermented with L. bulgaricus OLL1073R-1 may also activate the gut mucosal immune system and increase the expression levels of cytokines in the gut. As a result, the salivary IgA secretion might be accelerated by the increase of IgA + B cells mediated via cytokines in the gut.…”