Effects of Lactobacilli on the Performance, Diarrhea Incidence, VFA Concentration and Gastrointestinal Microbial Flora of Weaning Pigs

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a complex Lactobacilli preparation on performance, resistance to E. coli infection and gut microbial flora of weaning pigs. In exp. 1, twelve pigs (7.65±1.10 kg BW), weaned at 28 d, were randomly allotted into 2 groups and placed in individual metabolic cages. During the first 7 d, one group of pigs was provided ad libitum access to water containing 10 5 colony forming units (CFU) Lactobacilli per ml and the control group was provided tap water. The Lactobacilli preparation included Lactobacillus gasseri, L. reuteri, L. acidophilus and L. fermentum, which were isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract mucosa of weaning pigs. On d 8, 20 ml of 10 8 CFU/ml E. coli solution (serovars K99, K88 and 987P at the ratio of 1:1:1) was orally administered to each pig. Diarrhea scores and diarrhea incidence were recorded from d 7 to 14. On d 14, pigs were euthanized and digesta and mucosa from the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon were sampled using aseptic technique to determine microflora by culturing bacteria in selective medium. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly decreased E. coli and aerobe counts (p<0.01) but increased Lactobacilli and anaerobe counts (p<0.01) in digesta and mucosa of most sections of the GI tract. A 66 and 69.1% decrease in diarrhea index and diarrhea incidence, respectively, was observed in the Lactobacilli treated group. In exp. 2, Thirty-six crossbred Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire piglets, weaned at 28±2 days, were selected and randomly allocated into 2 groups. There were 18 piglets in each group, 3 piglets in one pen and 6 replicates in each treatment with 3 pens of barrow and 3 pens of female piglet in each treatment. Piglets had ad libitum access to feed and water. The initial body weight of piglet was 7.65±1.09 kg. Dietary treatments included a non-medicated basal diet with Lactobacilli (10 5 CFU/g diet) or carbadox (60 mg/kg) as control. On d 21, six pigs per group (one pig per pen) were euthanized. Ileal digesta was collected to determine apparent amino acid digestibility. Microflora content was determined similarly to exp.1. The results showed that Lactobacilli treatment significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) of pigs compared to carbadox (p<0.05) during the first 2 wks after weaning and average daily gain (ADG) and ADFI increased significantly (p<0.05) from d 8 to 14. Nitrogen and total phosphorus digestibility also increased (p<0.05). Bacterial counts were similar to exp. 1. The results indicate that the complex Lactobacilli preparation improved performance for 2 wks after weaning, enhanced resistance to E. coli infection, and improved microbial balance in the GI tract.

Administration of <i>Lactobacillus fermentum</i> I5007 to young piglets improved their health and growth

“…Silva et al (1987) reported that Lactobacillus was able to produce an unknown antimicrobial substance against E. coli. We previously reported that Lactobacilli enhanced pig resistance to E. coli infection by regulating the balance of microflora (Huang et al, 2004). The current study showed an increased ratio of LAB to E. coli by administration of L. fermentum to piglets early in life.…”

“…Many strains of bacteria have been tested for use as probiotics, and the commonly used species include lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacteria (Dunne et at., 2001). We previously reported that Lactobacillus fermentum I5007, isolated from the gastrointestinal mucosa of piglets (Huang et al, 2004), had several probiotic properties, including high adhesion ability to Caco-2 cells and competitiveness against some strains of Salmonella and Escherichia coli . Yu et al (2008) ABSTRACT.…”

Effects of dietary supplementation with freshwater microalgae on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gut health in weaned piglets

“…In our experiment, this method was not satisfactory because of the high variability in individual responses. Alternatively, the calculation of a global diarrhoea incidence for the total period was used in our study, as described by Huang et al (2004).…”

“…Diarrhoea score of each pig was assessed visually for each day of the experiment with a score ranging from 0 to 3 according to the description of Whelan et al (2004): 0 = hard and formed corresponding to normal faeces, 1 = soft and formed corresponding to moist faeces, 2 = loose and unformed corresponding to mild diarrhoea and 3 = liquid or severe diarrhoea. Diarrhoea incidence was calculated for each treatment according to the formula reported by Huang et al (2004): diarrhoea incidence (%) = (number of diarrhoea recorded)/(number of pigs by treatment × total experimental days) × 100, where the number of diarrhoea recorded was the sum of the number of pigs with diarrhoea observed each day for the total experimental period.…”

“…Post-weaning diarrhoea is partially caused by a destabilisation in gut microbiota . Huang et al (2004) reported that Lactobacilli improved microbial balance in the digestive tract of piglets during the first 2 weeks after weaning and resulted in fewer cases of diarrhoea and an increase in growth. Lactobacilli strains also play a role in improving the mucosal barrier function and reducing mucosal injury caused by pathogenic microorganisms (Mao et al, 2016).…”