Effect of feeding probiotics on the performance of piglets

Large White Yorkshire piglets (40; one month old) randomly divided into four groups were offered either a basal diet with no supplement (C) or supplemented with either pure yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture (Y), Y with Lactobacilus (YL) or Y with mannan oligosaccharides (YMOS) respectively. In the pre-weaning period, superior performance in body weight gain and feed efficiency were recorded in group supplemented with YMOS followed by YL and Y. In the post-weaning period of 60 days, similar trend was obtained and significantly higher (P<0.01) body weight gain and feed efficiency were recorded in YMOS, YL, Y than control group. Significantly higher (P<0.01) digestibility of DM, OM and CP were obtained in probiotic treated groups (YMOS, YL and Y) than control.

The blood plasma biochemical parameters in post-weaning piglets revealed that probiotics treatment groups (YMOS, YL and Y) had significantly higher total protein, albumin, triglycerides, aspartate amino transferase (ASAT), alanine amino transferase (ALAT) and alkaline phosphatase than control group. It was inferred that supplementation of probiotics improved body weight gain, feed efficiency ratio and nutrient digestibility in piglets. The superior performance was observed in YMOS followed by YL and yeast alone respectively.