Saccharomyces Cerevisiae var. Boulardii CNCM I-1079 during late gestation and lactation improves voluntary feed intake, milk production and litter performance of mixed-parity sows in a tropical humid climate

Abstract

Under heat stress, sows reduce voluntary feed intake to reduce heat production. To improve the health and performance of sows, live yeasts have been used, and may have potential to reduce heat stress. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the impact of supplementation of two levels of the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SB) on productive and reproductive performance of sows in tropical humid climatic conditions. A total of 300 mixed-parity sows divided into 3 treatments of 100 sows each. Sows were fed the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii with a minimum concentration of 2 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g viable yeast cells (LB) on top at the following levels of inclusion: CON - 10 g of sugar on gestation (d 90 –110) and 10 g of sugar on lactation (d110 to weaning); SB1 – 10 g of sugar +150 mg of LSB on gestation (d 90–110) and 10 g of sugar +285 mg of LSB on lactation (d110 to weaning) and SB2−10 g of sugar +300 mg of LSB on gestation (d 90–110) and 10 g of sugar +570 mg of LSB on lactation (d110 to weaning). SB improved voluntary feed intake (P < 0.001), milk production (P = 0.041) and piglet average weight at weaning (P < 0.05). In addition, SB2 tended to improve milk fatty acids content (P = 0.095) when compared to SB1 and CON. Our findings lead us to believe that the strategic use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 during gestation and lactation has the potential to enhance sow milk production and piglet performance and weaning weight.