title: Reproductive performance of sows was improved by administration of a sporing bacillary probiotic (Bacillus subtilis C-3102).
abstract: This field study assessed the efficacy of a probiotic based on viable spores of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin; Calpis Co. Ltd., Japan) on the health status and productivity of sows and their litters through 2 full, sequential reproductive cycles from service of the first cycle to weaning of the second cycle. Fifty-six sows were allocated to 2 experimental groups, an untreated control (T1) group and a probiotic-treated (T2) group that received the same basal feed as the T1 group plus the probiotic at an approximate allowance of 30 g/t of feed (3 × 10(5) cfu/g). The offspring of T1 and T2 sows were offered basal and T2 creep feed (3 × 10(5) cfu/g), respectively. Health and zootechnical parameters of sows and piglets were recorded. Feeding the probiotic to sows and piglets resulted in significant benefits, observed in both cycles: 1) improved sow body condition during pregnancy (P < 0.05), 2) increased sow feed consumption, 3) reduced sow weight loss during lactation (P < 0.05), 4) reduced sow weaning-estrus interval (P < 0.05), and 5) higher BW of piglets at weaning (P < 0.05). Additionally, a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in piglet birth weight and in the number of piglets weaned was observed in the second cycle of T2 sows, while a significant improvement of mean daily gain of piglets from birth to weaning was observed in the first cycle of T2 sows. Microbiological examination of fecal samples showed that probiotic treatment significantly reduced both Escherichia coli and Clostridium spp. in piglet feces, particularly during the second cycle. The data suggested that continuous feed supplementation with the probiotic is beneficial for both sows and piglets, since zootechnical benefits were observed in both cycles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece skritas@vet.auth.gr.
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kritas
authors.affiliation: Calpis Co. Ltd., 4-1, 2-chome, Ebisu-Minami, Shibuya-ku, 150-0022 Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marubashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Filioussis
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petridou
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Christodoulopoulos
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Burriel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Thessaly, 43100 Karditsa, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzivara
authors.affiliation: Animal Production Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Theodoridis
authors.affiliation: Pen & Tec Consulting SL, Plaza Ausias March 1, Mirasol, 08195 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pískoriková
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000502:physiology*; D001724:Birth Weight; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004971:Estrus; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D007564:Japan; D007774:Lactation; D008098:Litter Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics; D012098:Reproduction; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning
keywords: Bacillus; growth; health; piglet; probiotic; sows