PSV-7 Effects of a Bacillus-based probiotic on sow and litter performance, fecal consistency, and fecal microflora

Abstract

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of supplementation of sow diets with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®, Calpis Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) during gestation and lactation. A total of 29 sows (DNA 241) with confirmed pregnancy on d 30 of gestation were assigned to dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design based on BW and parity. Treatments were: control diet or probiotic diet with Calsporin® at 500,000 and 1,000,000 CFU/g of diet in gestation and lactation, respectively. Data were collected on d 30 and 112 of gestation and d 2 and 19 of lactation. Fecal consistency was assessed on a 1-to-5 scale for each litter. Fecal samples were collected from sows and piglets for microbial analysis by culture method and bacterial quantification of Bacillus subtilis C-3102, total Bacillus sp., Lactobacillus sp., Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp., Enterococcus sp., Enterobacteriaceae, total aerobes, and total anaerobes. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model (PROC GLIMMIX, SAS®) with sow as experimental unit. Probiotic-fed sows had a marginally significant (P < 0.10) increase in lactation ADFI, but it did not result (P > 0.10) in improvement in sow or piglet weight at weaning. Probiotic-fed sows had a marginally significant (P < 0.10) larger litter size after cross-fostering, but it did not result (P > 0.10) in larger litter size at weaning. Fecal consistency of piglets was not influenced (P > 0.10) by sow diet. Microbial analysis revealed an increase (P < 0.01) in Bacillus subtilis C-3102 and, consequently, total Bacillus sp. in fecal microflora of probiotic-fed sows and piglets born and nursed by probiotic-fed sows. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that providing Calsporin® to sows during gestation and lactation improved lactation ADFI and cross-fostering litter size, although further larger-scale studies are required for elucidation. The probiotic diet did not influence fecal consistency, but altered the fecal microbial population in sows and nursing piglets by increasing total Bacillus sp.