In-feed nutritional additive probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii RC009 can substitute for prophylactic antibiotics and improve the production and health of weaning pigs

Research (Published online: 15-05-2023)

16. In-feed nutritional additive probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii RC009 can substitute for prophylactic antibiotics and improve the production and health of weaning pigs

Julián Parada, Alejandra Magnoli, Maite Corti Isgro, Valeria Poloni, Analía Fochesato, María Pía Martínez, Alicia Carranza, and Lilia Cavaglieri

Veterinary World, 16(5): 1035-1042

Julián Parada: Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.

Alejandra Magnoli: National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

Maite Corti Isgro: Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina.

Valeria Poloni: National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

Analía Fochesato: National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

María Pía Martínez: National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

Alicia Carranza: Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

Lilia Cavaglieri: National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Córdoba, Argentina; Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary, National University of Rio Cuarto, Río Cuarto, Córdoba, Argentina.

doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1035-1042

Article history: Received: 22-12-2022, Accepted: 05-04-2023, Published online: 15-05-2023

Corresponding authors: Julián Parada

E-mail: jparada@ayv.unrc.edu.ar

Citation: Parada J, Magnoli A, Isgro MC, Poloni V, Fochesato A, Martínez MP, Carranza A, and Cavaglieri L (2023) In-feed nutritional additive probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii RC009 can substitute for prophylactic antibiotics and improve the production and health of weaning pigs, Veterinary World, 16(5): 1035-1042.

Abstract

Background and Aim: Non-therapeutic antibiotic use is associated with the current decrease in antibiotic therapeutic efficiency and the emergence of a wide range of resistant strains, which constitutes a public health risk. This study aimed to evaluate the use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii RC009 as a nutritional feed additive to substitute the prophylactic use of antibiotics and improve the productive performance and health of post-weaning piglets.

Materials and Methods: Four regular nutritional phases were prepared. Post-weaning pigs (21-70 days old) received one of two dietary treatments: T1-basal diet (BD-control group) with in-feed antibiotics as a prophylactic medication (one pulse of Tiamulin in P3 and one pulse of Amoxicillin in P4); and T2-BD without in-feed antibiotics but with Saccharomyces boulardii RC009 (1 × 10¹² colony forming unit/T feed). The feed conversion ratio (FCR), total weight gain (TWG-kg), and daily weight gain (DWG-kg) were determined. A post-weaning growth index (GI) was calculated and animals (160 days old) from each treatment were analyzed at the abattoir after sacrifice for carcass weight and respiratory tract lesions.

Results: Pigs consuming probiotics had higher TWG and DWG than the control group. The group of animals with low body weight obtained the same results. Saccharomyces boulardii administration decreased diarrhea, and FCR reduction was related to a GI improvement. A significant increase in carcass weight and muscle thickness reduction was observed in animals received the probiotic post-weaning.

Conclusion: Saccharomyces boulardii RC009, a probiotic additive, was found to improve the production parameters of pigs post-weaning and enhance their health status, indicating that it may be a promising alternative to prophylactic antibiotics.

Keywords: nutritional feed additive, post-weaning pig, prophylactic antibiotics, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii RC009.