Effects of different probiotic complexes of lactic acid bacteria on growth performance and gut environment of weaned piglets

Ninety-six weaned (21-23 days of age) piglets (L x Y) from 12 litters were divided into 4 groups and fed a piglet diet ad libitum without and with supplementation of 600 ppm of one of three selected probiotic complexes in a 35-day growth trial. Piglets fed probiotic diets had higher feed intake and daily gain, and better feed conversion, than the control group (P<0.05) during the 1st two weeks after weaning. There was no effect of probiotic supplementation on performance (P>0.05) during weeks 3 to 5 after weaning. The concentration of lactic and acetic acid was higher (P<0.05) in ileum and colon of piglets fed probiotic diets on days 14 and 35, while propionic acid was higher only in the ileum on day 35 (P<0.05). There were no differences among the different probiotic complexes (P>0.05). (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.