Microorganisms (Jul 2024)

Dietary Triple-Strain <i>Bacillus</i>-Based Probiotic Supplementation Improves Performance, Immune Function, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaned Pigs

  • Lei Xue,
  • Shenfei Long,
  • Bo Cheng,
  • Qian Song,
  • Can Zhang,
  • Lea Hübertz Birch Hansen,
  • Yongshuai Sheng,
  • Jianjun Zang,
  • Xiangshu Piao

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12081536
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 8
p. 1536

Abstract

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Probiotics provide health benefits and are used as feed supplements as an alternative prophylactic strategy to antibiotics. However, the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics containing more than two strains when supplemented to pigs are rarely elucidated. SOLVENS (SLV) is a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic. In this study, we investigate the effects of SLV on performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbial community in piglets. A total of 480 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) of 8.13 ± 0.08 kg and 28 days of age] were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design: P0: basal diet (CON); P200: CON + 200 mg SLV per kg feed (6.5 × 108 CFU/kg feed); and P400: CON + 400 mg SLV per kg feed (1.3 × 109 CFU/kg feed). Each treatment had 20 replicated pens with eight pigs (four male/four female) per pen. During the 31 d feeding period (Phase 1 = wean to d 14, Phase 2 = d 15 to 31 after weaning), all pigs were housed in a temperature-controlled nursery room (23 to 25 °C). Feed and water were available ad libitum. The results showed that the pigs in the P400 group increased (p p = 0.10) to increase ADG overall. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups tended (p = 0.10) to show improved feed conversion ratios overall in comparison with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups increased (p p p p = 0.09) to have an increased villus–crypt ratio at the jejunum compared with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups showed increased (p p < 0.05) interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions, whereas the pigs in the P400 group showed up-regulated occludin gene expression in the ileum. These findings suggest that SLV alleviates immunological reactions, improves intestinal microbiota balance, and reduces weaning stress in piglets. Therefore, SOLVENS has the potential to improve health and performance for piglets.

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