Effects of lactic acid bacteria complex and Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 in weanling pigs

Abstract Text: As beneficial effects are observed, probiotics have been used as alternatives of antibiotics in swine industry. We conducted this study to compare the effect of lactic acid bacteria complex (L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. lactis, L. plantarum, S. thermophilus, and B. longum) and E. faecium DSM 7134 on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, faecal microflora and characteristics in weanling pigs. A total of 120 weanling pigs (24 days) were used in a 5-week feeding trial, and allotted into 3 dietary treatments: CON, basal diet; LA, CON + 0.1% lactic acid bacteria complex; EF, CON + 0.1% E. faecium DSM 7134. Pigs were weighed on d 0, 14, and 35 while feed consumption was recorded to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Fresh faecal samples were obtained on d 14 and 35 to determine the ATTD of DM, GE, and N by adding 0.2% chromium oxide. One gram of faecal sample was diluted with 9 mL of 1% peptone broth and then homogenized. Viable counts of bacteria were conducted by plating serial 10-fold dilutions onto agar plates. The pH value of each sample was measured using a pH meter. The same samples were then first air-dried at 60℃, followed by an equilibration and moisture determination at 105°C to determine faecal moisture. All data were subjected to the GLM procedures of SAS and differences among treatments were separated by Tukey’s multiple range test with a P < 0.05 indicating a significance. The ADG (from day 0 to 14, day 15 to 35, and overall period) and G:F (overall period) was higher (P < 0.05) in EF than that in CON. On day 14 and 35, the ATTD of DM, N, and GE was greater (P < 0.05), faecal Lactobacillus counts were increased (P < 0.05), and faecal pH was decreased in LA and EF compared with CON. Results indicated that both lactic acid bacteria complex and E. faecium can increase nutrient digestibility and faecal Lactobacillus concentration, as well as decrease faecal pH. Additionally, E. faeciumDSM 7134 have better effects on growth performance than lactic acid bacteria complex in weanling pigs.

Keywords: lactic acid bacteria complex, Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134, weanling pigs