Dragan Sefer
Belgrade University
Serbia
Title: The effects of probiotic supplementation in weaned pigs diet
Biography
Biography: Dragan Sefer
Abstract
In order to investigate the efficiency of using probiotics in the diet of weaned pigs under the commercial conditions of rearing, feeding trial was organized. The experiment included 24 pigs (Landrace x Yorkshire), which were immediately after the weaning (weaned at age of 35 days) distributed randomly in two feeding treatments. A control group of pigs (K) received a diet of standard feed and chemical composition while the experimental group (O-I) received the same diet, but with the addition of probiotic preparation (B. subtilis and B. licheniformis). The experiment lasted 40 days, after which the pigs were sacrificed and samples were taken for further physicochemical and histological examination. At the end of the experiment the control group achieved body weight (25.32±6.31kg), average daily gain (0.42±0.12kg), feed consumption (0.89kg) and feed to gain ratio (2.119) common for a given race, conditions of nutrition and housing. Experimental group, that received probiotics preparation, achieved higher body mass (27.98±4.76kg), average daily gain (0.49±0.09kg), feed consumption (0.96kg) and lower feed to gain ratio (1.959kg) compared to the control group. The height and width of the villi in the jejunum were significantly higher (p<0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control. Crypt depth in the jejunum, and the pH value of the jejunum and the cecum were not affected by applied treatment (p>0.05). Obtained results indicate that probiotic supplementation in the diet of weaned piglets has its nutritive justification.