Effects of multistrain probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, faecal microbial shedding, faecal score and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the efficacy of multistrain probiotics in weaning pigs. A total of 125 28-day-old weaning pigs [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] with an initial average body weight (BW) of 7.26 ± 0.76 kg were randomly allotted into 5 treatments, 5 replicate pens/treatment with 5 pigs/pen for 42-day experiment. Dietary treatments were as follows: CON, basal diet; PC1, CON + 0.01% multistrain probiotics; PC2, CON + 0.03% multistrain probiotics; PC3, CON + 0.06% multistrain probiotics; PC4, CON + 0.1% multistrain probiotics. On day 14, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher BW gain than pigs fed the CON diet. From days 1 to 14, pigs fed the PC2, PC3 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG than pigs fed the CON diet. From day 15 to 42, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain: feed ratio (G:F) than pigs fed the CON diet. In the overall period, pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had higher (p < 0.05) ADG and pigs fed the PC2 and PC4 diets had higher (p < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the CON diet. On day 42, pigs fed the PC4 diet had higher (p < 0.05) apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter (DM), nitrogen (N) and gross energy (GE), faecal Lactobacillus counts and lower (p < 0.05) E. coli counts and NH emission than pigs fed the CON diet. Pigs fed the multistrain probiotics supplementation diets had lower (p < 0.05) H S and total mercaptans emissions than pigs fed the CON diet. Conclusions, dietary supplementation with 0.1% probiotics improved growth performance, nutrition digestibility and intestinal microflora balance and decreased faecal noxious gas emissions in weaning pigs.

Effect of a dietary probiotic blend on performance, blood characteristics, meat quality and faecal microbial shedding in growing-finishing pigs

“…In agreement with the current study, Yan and Kim (2013) and Lan et al (2016) reported that faecal Lactobacillus increased by probiotics supplementation. However, Lan et al (2016) observed a reduction in faecal E. Coli in weaning pigs fed probiotic blend. The findings of the current study confirm that the presence of Lactobacillus in the gastrointestinal tract is positively related to gut health and that the present probiotic blend (SLAB51) could be used as a good probiotic in growing-finishing pigs.…”

“…Thus, dietary supplementation of probiotics indicated few or no significant evidence on pig blood characteristics. In agreement with the current findings, Chen et al (2005), Meng et al (2010), and Lan et al (2016) stated that feeding a probiotic blend to pigs did not influence blood traits. Conversely, it was found that probiotics supplementation in pigs determined an improvement of red blood cells .…”

“…1 Faecal score 1-5, in which 1 = hard, dry pellets in a small, hard mass; 2 = hard, formed stool that remains firm and soft; 3 = soft, formed, and moist stool that retains its shape; 4 = soft, unformed stool that assumes the shape of the container; 5 = watery, liquid stool that can be poured (Lan et al, 2016) Furthermore, the dietary treatments did not affect faecal score in pigs. In agreement with the current study, Yan and Kim (2013) and Lan et al (2016) reported that faecal Lactobacillus increased by probiotics supplementation. However, Lan et al (2016) observed a reduction in faecal E. Coli in weaning pigs fed probiotic blend.…”

“…Microflora enumerations were expressed as log10 CFU/g. The faecal consistency score was done on three randomly selected pigs in each dietary treatment using this 1-5-grade scoring system (Lan et al, 2016): 1 = hard, dry pellets in a small, hard mass; 2 = hard, formed stool that remains firm and soft; 3 = soft, formed and moist stool that retains its shape; 4 = soft, unformed stool that assumes the shape of the container; and 5 = watery, liquid stool that can be poured. Scores were recorded on a pen basis following observations of individual pig and signs of stool consistency in the pen.…”

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis complex on growth performance and faecal noxious gas emissions in growing‐finishing pigs

“…However, the results are not always consistent. Lan et al . reported that supplementation with Bacillus ‐based multi‐microbe probiotic increased faecal Lactobacillus and decreased faecal E. coli counts in weaning pigs.…”