A preliminary study on the effects of multi-strain probiotics supplementation on growth rate, immunity and small intestinal morphology in piglets
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Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-strain probiotic supplementation on growth rate, immunity, and small intestinal morphology in piglets. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design, with sex (Male and Female) and breed (Landrace, Large White, and Landrace × Large White crossbreds) considered as blocking factors. A total of 28 piglets were used and divided into two treatment groups: a control group (Without probiotics) and a probiotic group, with 14 piglets per group. The probiotics used consisted of Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactococcus lactis, Weissella cibaria, and Pediococcus pentosaceus, at a concentration of 109 cfu/mL. Piglets in the probiotic group received 2 mL of the probiotic solution orally from day 7 after birth until weaning at 4 weeks of age. Subsequently, from weaning to 8 weeks of age, they were fed a commercial diet supplemented with 5 mL of the probiotic solution per 100 g of feed. The results showed that probiotic supplementation had no significant effect on body weight or average daily gain (P>0.05), and it also did not affect serum immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, and IgM; P>0.05). However, the probiotic group exhibited significantly increased villus height in the duodenum and ileum, as well as a higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the duodenum (P<0.05), compared to the control group. These preliminary findings suggest that multi-strain probiotic supplementation may enhance the development of small intestinal morphology in piglets without negatively affecting growth performance and immunity.
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