This study investigated the efficacy of using probiotics on the performance and health parameters of sows and their litters. A randomized block design was used with 584 sows and 292 replications, with two dietary treatments: the control group (basal diet without probiotics) and the probiotic group (basal diet supplemented with 400 g/ton of a probiotic composed of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) 541 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B. amyloliquefaciens) 516). Feed intake was evaluated throughout the experimental period. Bodyweight and backfat thickness of the sows were measured at the beginning and end of each phase. Piglets were weighed individually at birth and at weaning. Performance variables and physiological parameters were analyzed. Sows that received the probiotic supplement exhibited increased milk production (p = 0.05) and bodyweight loss, along with reduced postpartum cortisol levels (p < 0.05). The piglets from the probiotic treatment group had higher (p < 0.001) weaning weight and fewer (p < 0.05) crushing deaths, received fewer (p < 0.001) medications, and had lower (p < 0.05) excretion of pathogenic bacteria and lower (p < 0.05) excretion of fecal Lactobacillus sp. They also had higher (p < 0.05) concentration of fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) close to weaning and improved ileal histomorphometric measures. In conclusion, supplementation with the probiotic product improves performance and promotes health parameters of the sows their litters.

Antibiotics growth promoting (AGP) in animal feed has been restricted. With this, several additives have been tested in order to replace AGP and ensure intestinal health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a blend of additives on growth performance, diarrhea incidence and cecal content microbiota of nursery pigs. A total of 576 weaned pigs (6.21 ± 1.16 kg) were assigned into 4 treatments (12 replicates) in randomized block design: basal diet without additives (NC); basal diet with 120 ppm of halquinol (PC); NC + 0,05% blend of lactic acid (3,5%), benzoic acid (2,5%), flavonoids (3,5%) (B5); NC+ 0,1% of same blend (B10). The pigs were weighed 0 and 42 days into the experiment. On day 10, one animal per pen (10 replicates) was euthanized for microbiota analyses. The diarrhea incidence was calculated by the percentage of visual pens with diarrhea, by day, in the period. The growth performance was analyzed by GLIMMIX procedure and the means were compared with Tukey test (P < 0.050) (SAS, 2009). Diarrhea incidence was analyzed by GENMOD procedure (SAS, 2009). The Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare microbial biodiversity (P < 0.050) by statistical program STAMP. The final weight (P = 0.010) and average daily gain (P = 0.001) of B10 and PC were higher than NC. Regarding diarrhea, it was observed that the B5 and B10 had lower incidence when compared to other groups in the total period. In the microbiome analyses, it was observed that the B5, B10, and PC groups had lower (P = 0.021) biodiversity when compared to the NC piglets. However, the B5 and B10 group had higher biodiversity when compared to the PC group. In conclusion, the supplementation with 0,1% blend of additives can be a substitute for AGP.

The stressful events associated with weaning predispose piglets to reduced feed intake, which in concert with immature digestive and immune systems, results in increased incidences of diarrhea and poor performance. Flavors and sweeteners can be used in diets for young pigs as a means of attracting them to dry feed and increase their feed intake and performance after weaning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of flavors and sweeteners and their combination on growth performance and post-weaning gut health of nursery pigs. A total of 1,144 weaned pigs (initial BW 6.61 ± 0.2 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design and assigned to one of four dietary treatments, with 11 replicates (pens) of 26 piglets per pen. Dietary treatments were 1) Control: standard 4-phase nursery feeding program; 2) Sweetener: control plus sweetener (0.015%); 3) Flavor: control plus flavoring (0.05%); 4) Combination: control plus sweetener and flavoring. Experimental diets were provided at a budget of 0.9, 3.4, 4.5, and 24 kg/pig in Phase 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A common phase 5 diet was provided ad libitum until d56 after weaning. Feed disappearance and body weight were measured every other week. A pen fecal score assessment was performed at d4, 7, 10, and 14 after weaning. Overall, there were no differences among dietary treatments for growth performance. However, during the first two weeks post-weaning pigs fed diets containing flavors and sweeteners had a greater (P = 0.097) ADFI than control pigs. On d14, pigs fed diets containing flavors and sweeteners had less incidence of soft and watery feces (χ2 < 0.05) compared to control pigs. This study provides evidence that dietary inclusion of flavors and sweeteners has important benefits to the overall health of nursery pigs likely related to feed intake in the period immediately after weaning.