Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum GB805 supplementation improves growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weaning pigs

Abstract

A total of 60 weaned pigs with initial body weight (BW) of 8.51 ± 0.42 kg (28 d of age) were randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 each consisted of 6 pens with 2 gilts and 3 borrows and supplemented (treatment) 5.3×10 8 cfu/kg Lactobacillus plantarum GB805 in addition to basal diet offered during d 0 to 14 and d 15 to 42 (control). During the total trial period or different phases of trial, pigs fed L. plantarum diet had a higher (P<0.05) ADG, ADFI and feed efficiency. At the end of experiment, dietary L. plantarum supplementation improved (P<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and the fecal Lactobacillus populations (P<0.05) while the fecal E.coli populations were decreased (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of L. plantarum GB805 had positive influence on growth rate, nutrient digestibility and gut microbial balance and its supplementation recommended to weaning pigs.