PSVI-5 - Effect of probiotic supplementation on performance and intestinal integrity in weaned piglets

Probiotics are being considered as an alternative means to reduce pathogen infection and improve animal health especially around the time of weaning. The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of the use of a probiotic in diets for piglets on their performance and intestinal integrity during nursery phase. Thirty-six piglets (18 barrows and 18 females), weaned at 24 days of age were distributed in a randomized block design, with six repetitions per treatment (with or without addition of 50g/ton of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315, GutCare®, Evonik Industries) and each repetition with three pigs per experimental unit. During the experimental period, performance parameters evaluated were body weight (BW), daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion, average daily weight gain (ADG) and the intestinal integrity assessed via galactose absorption capacity. The performance data were submitted to the PDIFF option of the SAS and compared using the Tukey test. During phase 1 (24 to 31 days of age) the use of the probiotic tended (P = 0.07) to improve ADG (+76 g/ d) in comparison to control. As for phase 2 (32 to 39 days of age), 3 (40 to 53 days of age) and 4 (54 to 70 days of age) the use of the probiotic increased the ADFI (+118, +66 and +162 g/ d, respectively; P < 0.05) and ADG (+5 and +8%, respectively for phase 2 and 3; P < 0.05) compared to control. The use of the probiotic improved (P = 0.05) nursery end BW (+1.3 kg) and overall ADFI (+8%; P = 0.046). The intestinal integrity was not affected by treatments (P > 0.10) at any stage. In conclusion, the use of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 in diets for weaned piglets can be used as a viable formulation strategy to improve performance and the intestinal health of the animals during nursery phase.