Effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii XS4 supplementation on reproductive performance, gut environment, and blood biochemical and immunological index in lactating sows

In this study, the effects of Lactobacillus johnsonii XS4 feed supplementation on reproductive performance, gut environment, and blood biochemical and immunological index of sows were investigated. A total of 32 sows (France large white) were allotted into two dietary treatments: Control Group sows received basal diet and Experiment Group received the same diet supplemented with L. johnsonii XS4 (6.0 x 10(9) CFU/kg of diet). Treatment started from the day of allocation (90th day of pregnancy) up to the weaning day (25th day of lactation). Homogeneity of the groups was satisfied with regard to parity. From the results it was evident that L johnsonii XS4 supplementation of the feed improved production performance as shown by the significantly increased litter weight at birth (14.97 vs. 13.08 kg, P < 0.05), 20 d litter weight (54.9 vs. 49.23 kg, P < 0.01), the number of piglets at weaning (10.31 vs. 9.43, P < 0.05) and weaning litter weight (66.73 vs. 59.18 kg, P < 0.05). A positive trend was also noticed as regard to the reduction in the back fat thickness during lactation in terms of numerical lesser in the Experimental Group compared with the Control Group (0.79 vs. 1.05 mm, P > 0.05). The viable count of fecal flora (LAB, E. coli, and S. aureus) revealed no significant differences between the sows of the two groups. Moreover, the supplementation of L johnsonii XS4 has significant effect on certain blood parameters of sows demonstrating significant increase in serum IgG levels (28.52 vs. 24.87 mg/ml, P < 0.05) and decrease in alanine aminotransferase concentrations (28.09 vs. 33.92 IU/dl, P < 0.01). It is concluded that administration of L. johnsonii XS4 in diets during the end of pregnancy and during lactation had positive effects on the performance of sows. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.