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Post-weaning diarrhea in piglets continues to cause significant economic losses for swine producers. One promising alternative to antibiotics is the use of probiotics to mitigate gastrointestinal diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Ligilactobacillus salivarius PS21603 supplementation on the intestinal structure and gut microbiota composition of weaned piglets.
Methods: In a 28-day study, 384 weaned piglets (28 ± 2 days old, 7.5 ± 1.5 kg) were divided into three groups: T1 (Basal diet + L. salivarius PS21603 109 cfu/day), T2 (Basal diet + L. salivarius PS21603 107 cfu/day), and T3 (Basal diet, control). For this specific investigation, 16 piglets per group were randomly selected, and fecal samples were collected on day 0 (weaning) and day 28. At the end of the study, six piglets per treatment group were euthanized to measure intestinal morphometric values. Fecal Escherichia coli counts were evaluated using culture techniques, and fecal microbiota composition was assessed through high-throughput sequencing.
Results: Results showed that L. salivarius PS21603 supplementation increased intestinal length in T1 piglets and improved the villous height:crypt ratio in T2 piglets compared to the control group by day 28. Microbiota diversity increased from day 0 to day 28 according to the Shannon Diversity Index, though no significant differences were observed between treatments. Notably, piglets from T1 and T2 had lower fecal E. coli counts than the control group on day 28. Additionally, L. salivarius PS21603 modulated gut microbiota, reducing Escherichia and increasing Bifidobacterium abundance in T1 piglets from the beginning to the end of the study.
Conclusion: In summary, L. salivarius PS21603 has demonstrated probiotic properties, making it a valuable feed additive in the pig industry for preventing and/or treating post-weaning diarrhea, especially when combined with good hygiene and farm management practices.
Cuevas-Gómez I, de Andrés J, Cardenas N, Espinosa-Martos I, Jiménez E. Feed supplementation with Ligilactobacillus salivarius PS21603 optimises intestinal morphology and gut microbiota composition in weaned piglets. Beneficial Microbes. 2024; 15(2): 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1163/18762891-bja00001