文摘
Weaning is a critical period in a pig's life. Probiotics such as lactobacilli may prevent post-weaning diarrhoea but little knowledge yet exists on the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum in pigs. Therefore, we set up 2 experiments. In experiment 1, 176 piglets were divided into 5 treatment groups: 1) no probiotic (LP0), 2) 5 × 109 cfu (total amount) before weaning on 25 days of life (LP1), 3) 5 × 1010 cfu before weaning (LP2), 4) 5 × 109 cfu at weaning on 28 days of life (LP3), and 5) 5 × 109 cfu at weaning (LP4). On days 25, 28, 33 and 39 of life, 10–13 animals of each group were killed and DNA extracted from intestinal contents. Molecular microbiological analysis showed that L. plantarum significantly affected intestinal microbiota in groups LP3 and LP4 by increasing the abundance of butyrate producing bacteria in the colon and the ileal concentration of lactic acid. In experiment 2, 120 piglets were challenged with 3 × 109 cfu Escherichia coli (O149:K91:F4ac) at weaning followed by of 3 × 109 cfu or 3 × 1010 cfu L. plantarum > 2 h later. No significant differences in ADG, ADFI, FCR and intestinal parameters were observed between treatments. L. plantarum administration at 3 × 1010 cfu resulted in a significant reduction of diarrhoea incidence within 11 days after the challenge. The studies show that a single administration of 3 × 1010 cfu L. plantarum at weaning can affect intestinal microbial community composition in piglets and thereby promote intestinal health after enterotoxigenic E. coli challenge.
