TY - JOUR
T1 - Reproductive performance of sows was improved by administration of a sporing bacillary probiotic (Bacillus subtilis C-3102)
AU - Kritas, S. K.
AU - Marubashi, T.
AU - Filioussis, G.
AU - Petridou, E.
AU - Christodoulopoulos, G.
AU - Burriel, A. R.
AU - Tzivara, A.
AU - Theodoridis, A.
AU - Pískoriková, M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - This field study assessed the efficacy of a probiotic based on viable spores of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin; Calpis Co. Ltd., Japan) on the health status and productivity of sows and their litters through 2 full, sequential reproductive cycles from service of the first cycle to weaning of the second cycle. Fifty-six sows were allocated to 2 experimental groups, an untreated control (T1) group and a probiotic-treated (T2) group that received the same basal feed as the T1 group plus the probiotic at an approximate allowance of 30 g/t of feed (3 × 105 cfu/g). The offspring of T1 and T2 sows were offered basal and T2 creep feed (3 × 105 cfu/g), respectively. Health and zootechnical parameters of sows and piglets were recorded. Feeding the probiotic to sows and piglets resulted in significant benefits, observed in both cycles: 1) improved sow body condition during pregnancy (P < 0.05), 2) increased sow feed consumption, 3) reduced sow weight loss during lactation (P < 0.05), 4) reduced sow weaning–estrus interval (P < 0.05), and 5) higher BW of piglets at weaning (P < 0.05). Additionally, a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in piglet birth weight and in the number of piglets weaned was observed in the second cycle of T2 sows, while a significant improvement of mean daily gain of piglets from birth to weaning was observed in the first cycle of T2 sows. Microbiological examination of fecal samples showed that probiotic treatment significantly reduced both Escherichia coli and Clostridium spp. in piglet feces, particularly during the second cycle. The data suggested that continuous feed supplementation with the probiotic is beneficial for both sows and piglets, since zootechnical benefits were observed in both cycles.
AB - This field study assessed the efficacy of a probiotic based on viable spores of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin; Calpis Co. Ltd., Japan) on the health status and productivity of sows and their litters through 2 full, sequential reproductive cycles from service of the first cycle to weaning of the second cycle. Fifty-six sows were allocated to 2 experimental groups, an untreated control (T1) group and a probiotic-treated (T2) group that received the same basal feed as the T1 group plus the probiotic at an approximate allowance of 30 g/t of feed (3 × 105 cfu/g). The offspring of T1 and T2 sows were offered basal and T2 creep feed (3 × 105 cfu/g), respectively. Health and zootechnical parameters of sows and piglets were recorded. Feeding the probiotic to sows and piglets resulted in significant benefits, observed in both cycles: 1) improved sow body condition during pregnancy (P < 0.05), 2) increased sow feed consumption, 3) reduced sow weight loss during lactation (P < 0.05), 4) reduced sow weaning–estrus interval (P < 0.05), and 5) higher BW of piglets at weaning (P < 0.05). Additionally, a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in piglet birth weight and in the number of piglets weaned was observed in the second cycle of T2 sows, while a significant improvement of mean daily gain of piglets from birth to weaning was observed in the first cycle of T2 sows. Microbiological examination of fecal samples showed that probiotic treatment significantly reduced both Escherichia coli and Clostridium spp. in piglet feces, particularly during the second cycle. The data suggested that continuous feed supplementation with the probiotic is beneficial for both sows and piglets, since zootechnical benefits were observed in both cycles.
KW - Bacillus
KW - Growth
KW - Health
KW - Piglet
KW - Probiotic
KW - Sows
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84920915072&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2527/jas.2014-7651
DO - 10.2527/jas.2014-7651
M3 - Article
C2 - 25568382
AN - SCOPUS:84920915072
SN - 0021-8812
VL - 93
SP - 405
EP - 413
JO - Journal of Animal Science
JF - Journal of Animal Science
IS - 1
ER -