Effect of probiotics (Vitacogen) supplementation on the performance, apparent digestibility and microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract in pigs

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigated the effect of probiotics (Vitacogen : Seiwacogen Co., Ltd. Suzuka Japan) on growth performance and microbiota in gastrointestinal tract in growing and fattening pigs. Ten after weaning female pigs were used. Five animals were fed basal diet as control groups and another five animals were fed Vitacogen supplemented basal diet as Vitacogen (VC) group during 16 weeks. Feed intake and daily gain were not different between control and VC groups except 3 to 4 weeks. The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF in VC groups was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than control group, and that of EE in VC group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than control group at 8 weeks (growing stage). The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF and EE in VC group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than control group at 14weeks (fattening stage). On the diversity of flora in rectal feces, Shanon Index, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in VC group than in control group at 12 weeks. Supplementation of VC on the porcine feed was changed microbiota in gastrointestinal tract, and nutrient digestibility was improved in fattening pigs. It was suggested that the supplementation of VC to feed might affect the growth and fattening of pigs by changing the microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract.