Prebiotics in nutrition of sows and piglets

B Zivkovic,C Radovic,W Migdal

doi:10.2298/bah1103547z

Abstract

The effects of prebiotic Bio Mos (0.2%) used in nutrition of gestating and sows in lactation, as well as Bio Mos (0.5%) and fructooligosaccharides (0.4%) used in nutrition of suckling piglets were investigated. Obtained results showed that the introduction of additives in mixtures influenced: greater food intake of sows in lactation by 13.75 %, by 14.7% more born piglets and by 3.6% heavier piglets at birth, greater litter weight by 3.1 % at weaning and better intake of pre-starter by 6.7% per litter during lactation. In general, obtained results showed that the use of investigated prebiotic Bio Mos and fructooligosaccharides are recommended for use in nutrition of sows and suckling piglets.

Highlights

Disease has always been a critical issue in pig production, affecting animal health and well-being, and the physical and economic health of the producer
Obtained results showed that the use of investigated prebiotic Bio Mos and fructooligosaccharides are recommended for use in nutrition of sows and suckling piglets
Growth promoting antibiotics act by a variety of mechanisms to alter the intestinal microbiota, with subsequent direct and indirect effects on the pig (Anderson et al, 2000, Gaskins et al, 2000)

Summary

Introduction

Disease has always been a critical issue in pig production, affecting animal health and well-being, and the physical and economic health of the producer. Growth promoting antibiotics have been fed to livestock since the 1940’s and have generally enhanced pig performance (Cromwell, 2000). Growth promoting antibiotics act by a variety of mechanisms to alter the intestinal microbiota, with subsequent direct and indirect effects on the pig (Anderson et al, 2000, Gaskins et al, 2000). Fundamental to developing alternatives to growth promoting antibiotics is the enhancement of our understanding of defence systems used to inhibit pathogens, their interactions and regulation. It was confirmed that by use of studied Alltech’s additives better production in sows and suckling piglets is realized. Some studies do show little response, a number of studies have shown at least trends for improvements in growth performance, decrease in variation, mortality and morbidity, or decreased medicine costs when prebiotics are fed (Patterson and Burkholder, 2003)

Methods

Results

Conclusion