Chemical composition, digestibility and energy content of leguminous grains and straws grown in a Mediterranean region

Abstract

For young piglets, positive effects of probiotics have been described relating to performance in terms of higher daily weight gain, feed conversion and animal health, but only little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus cereus on paracellular permeability and glucose absorption have been reported. Saccharomyces boulardii seems to have an anti-diarrhoeal effect in the rat small intestine by stimulating chloride absorption. The aim of our study was to investigate the barrier function and transport properties of the small intestine in piglets, which were fed a diet containing the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 (E. f.). Sows and piglets of the experimental group received a probiotic preparation of E. f. On Days 14, 28, 35 and 56 after birth, 5 piglets of each experimental and control group were killed, and samples from the mid-jejunum used for conventional Using chamber measurements. Mannitol fluxes in the probiotic group were higher on the 14th day compared to the control group. The probiotic group showed a slightly higher response in Isc (short circuit current) to L-glutamine compared to the control group. The addition of different glucose concentrations caused an increase of Isc, which exhibited saturation. There was a tendency for a higher rise of Isc of the probiotic group compared to the control group in agreement with other studies. Serosal PGE2 addition only showed a higher response of Isc on Day 28 for the probiotic group. These results indicate that the administration of the probiotic strain modified the small intestinal barrier function and transport properties as early as 14 days of age, though the observed changes depended on the age of the piglets.