Live yeast supplementation during late gestation and lactation affects reproductive performance, colostrum and milk composition, blood biochemical and immunological parameters of sows

Yeast protein as a fishmeal substitute: impacts on reproductive performance, immune responses, and gut microbiota in two sow hybrids

Introduction

The persistent African swine fever epidemic has significantly compromised China's swine production. To accelerate production recovery, commercial farms are increasingly adopting retention of two-way backcross sows (Landrace × Yorkshire × Landrace, LLY) for breeding. This study aimed to investigate the effects of yeast protein, an emerging sustainable protein source, on reproductive performance, immune responses, and gut microbiota in two-way crossbred sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, LY) and LLY sows.

Methods

The experiment employed a 2×2 factorial design evaluating two fixed factors: sow hybrid (LY vs LLY) and yeast protein supplementation (0% vs 2.6%). The four treatment groups were: LY sows without yeast protein supplementation (LY-C), LLY sows without yeast protein supplementation (LLY-C), LY sows with yeast protein supplementation (LY-YP), and LLY sows with yeast protein supplementation (LLY-YP). A total of one hundred healthy sows of 2-6 parities (50 LY sows and 50 LLY sows), were stratified by backfat thickness, body weight, and parity, then randomly allocated to the four treatment groups on day 105 of gestation, with 25 sows in each group. The experimental period lasted from day 106 of gestation to day 18 of lactation.

Results and conclusion

Yeast protein supplementation showed no significant effects on most reproductive parameters of different sow hybrids, but reduced backfat loss by 30.5% during lactation (P < 0.05) and demonstrated a numerical reduction in mummification rate of fetuses (P = 0.06). Immunological assessments revealed that LLY sows exhibited 26.8% lower serum IgM concentration than LY sows (P < 0.05), while yeast protein supplementation significantly reduced serum IL-1β levels by 45.6% (P < 0.05) on day 18 of lactation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis revealed comparable fecal microbial diversity across treatments (P > 0.05), though differences were observed in certain bacterial genera between LY and LLY sows during late gestation and lactation. Yeast protein supplementation enriched beneficial bacteria including Ruminococcaceae_UCG-002, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Christensenellaceae_R_7_group, while suppressing potentially detrimental bacteria such as Family_XIII_AD3011_group (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate the practical feasibility of retaining LLY sows for commercial breeding. Yeast protein supplementation, as a substitute for fishmeal during late gestation and lactation, significantly reduced lactational backfat loss, moderately attenuated inflammatory response, and enhanced gut microbiome homeostasis through selective microbial enrichment in sows.

The supplementation of female dogs with live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 acts as gut stabilizer at whelping and modulates immunometabolic phenotype of the puppies

Time around parturition is a stressful period for both bitches and their puppies. The use of probiotics has been proposed, e.g., in pigs, to improve health status of sows, their reproductive performances and in turn, the health and performance of their progeny. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact, on both dams and puppies, of a supplementation of bitches with the live yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 (SB-1079) during the second part of the gestation and the lactation period. A total of 36 bitches of medium and large-sized breeds were enrolled. They were divided into two groups, one of which received 1.3 × 109 colony forming units of live yeast per day. At dam's level, SB-1079 yeast shaped a different microbiota structure between the two groups just after whelping, impacted alpha diversity and some plasma metabolites related to energy metabolism. Regarding reproductive performances, SB-1079 improved gross energy of the colostrum (1.4 vs. 1.2 kcal of ME/g) as well as the concentration of protein in milk at Day 7 after parturition (10.4 vs. 7.6%). SB-1079 also reduced the odds of having low birth weight in the litter. At puppy's level, a modulation of immunometabolic phenotype is suggested by the observation of increased growth rates during the early pediatric period (i.e., between 21 and 56 days of life, 225 vs. 190%) and a decrease of the IL-8:IL-10 ratio after vaccination against rabies (4.2 vs. 16.9). Our findings suggest that SB-1079 supplementation during gestation and lactation has the potential to enhance health of bitches and in turn health of puppies through maternal programming.

Higher intake of β-glucan impairs reproduction in a female teleost, Tor putitora (Hamilton, 1822)

Although the immuno-modulatory and stress-relieving properties of β-glucan is well elucidated in humans and other animal models, including fish, its role as a dietary supplement on reproduction is extremely scarce. Therefore, in this study, adult female fish were fed one of four test diets having 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 1.5% β-D-glucan for 130 days and its effect on reproductive performance, ovarian and liver histology, sex hormones, and transcript abundance of selected reproduction-related genes was assessed. Low dietary intake of β-glucan improved fertilization and hatching rates (p<0.05). The relative fecundity and percentage of spawning females were higher (non-significant) in 0.5% β-glucan-fed groups. Surprisingly, even after 130 days, spawning did not occur in 1.5% β-glucan-fed individuals. Irrespective of β-glucan intake, all the brooders recorded similar plasma 17β-estradiol and maturation-inducing hormone (p>0.05). Higher intake of β-glucan (1.5%) upregulated aromatase genes without a parallel increase in 17β-estradiol. However, plasma vitellogenin increased with increasing β-glucan up to 1.0% then declined at 1.5% (p<0.05). The fish that received control, 0.5, and 1.5% β-glucan recorded similar vitellogenin levels in their plasma. Significantly higher plasma cortisol was evidenced in 1.5% β-glucan fed brooders (p<0.05). Histologically, higher follicular atresia and leaking of yolk material was evidenced in 1.5% β-glucan-fed group. Liver histology revealed the highest nutrient/lipid accumulation in fish that received 1.0% and 1.5% β-glucan. This study demonstrated the stimulatory effect of β-glucan intake at a lower dose (0.5%) on reproduction. However, higher intake (1.5%) could perturb normal reproductive function in a fish model and caused an increased number of atretic follicles leading to spawning/reproductive failure.

Effects of Supplementation with Oregano Essential Oil during Late Gestation and Lactation on Serum Metabolites, Antioxidant Capacity and Fecal Microbiota of Sows

A total of 20 healthy white × landrace sows were evenly and randomly divided into two groups, and fed basal diets unsupplemented or supplemented with 500 g/t Meriden-Stim® from day 100 of gestation until day 21 of lactation. Serum and fecal samples were collected from the sows on the final day for subsequent analysis. Compared to the control group, there were no significant differences in the sows' performances; however, an increase was observed in the piglets' weight at weaning (p = 0.08). Moreover, oregano essential oil (OEO) significantly reduced the levels of urea (UREA) (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (TC) (p < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) (p < 0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05) in serum. In terms of antioxidant indexes in serum, the catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) levels showed significant increases (p < 0.05) while the malondialdehyde (MDA) level exhibited a decrease tendency (p = 0.09). 16S rRNA analysis identified the specific bacteria taxa in feces. OEO significantly decreased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria at the phylum level (p < 0.05). At the genus level, OEO significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotellaceae UCG 003 and UCG 005, while decreasing that of Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05). Taken together, OEO supplementation in maternal diets during late gestation and lactation improved serum metabolites, antioxidant capacity and regulated the intestinal-flora balance of sows, thereby tending to increase the piglets' weight at weaning.

Dose-response of inactivated yeast in diets of late gestating and lactating gilts on immunoglobulin transfer and offspring preweaning growth performance

Fifty gilts (initial body weight [BW] 190.7 ± 4.2 kg) were recruited on day 85 of gestation and were used until day 19 of lactation to assess the dose-response of inactivated yeast via hydrolyzation (HY) inclusion on offspring growth and immunoglobulin (Ig) transfer prior to weaning. Gilts were assigned to one of the 5 experimental diets: a control with no HY (HY0) or inclusion of 0.25% (HY0.25), 0.5% (HY0.5), 1.0% (HY1.0), or 1.2% (HY1.2) HY. Gilts were weighed on days 85 and 110 of gestation and days 1 and 19 (weaning) after farrowing. Offspring were weighed on days 1 and 19 of age. On lactation day 1 (approximately 24 h after farrowing), colostrum, gilt plasma, and plasma from 2 median BW piglets were collected and on day 19, plasma from each gilt and 2 median BW piglets per litter were collected for determination of Ig concentrations. Contrast statements were used to assess the linear, quadratic, cubic, and quartic effects of HY inclusion. The inclusion of HY had minimal effects on gilt BW or litter characteristics at birth (total number born and born alive, piglet birth weight). Lactation average daily feed intake of the gilts tended to increase then decrease with increasing HY inclusion (quadratic; P = 0.085). Piglet preweaning average daily gain (linear, quadratic, and quartic; P < 0.05) and BW at weaning (quadratic and quartic; P < 0.05) increased then decreased with increasing HY inclusion. On lactation day 1, colostrum and gilt plasma Ig concentrations were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.10) but piglet IgA and IgM decreased then increased with HY inclusion level (cubic; P < 0.05). On lactation day 19, piglet plasma IgG tended to increase with HY inclusion (linear; P = 0.099). In summary, increasing HY inclusion in late gestating and lactating gilt diets improved immune transfer in the first 24 h after birth and piglet preweaning growth rates and BW at weaning. Therefore, maternal feeding of HY could be used as a strategy to improve offspring immunocompetence and BW at weaning, with possible carryover benefits for the postweaning phase.

Effect of yeast probiotics in lactation and yeast cell wall prebiotic and Bacillus subtilis probiotic in nursery on lifetime growth performance, immune response, and carcass characteristics

Twenty-eight mixed-parity sows (Line 241; DNA) and their offspring were used to evaluate live yeast supplementation during lactation with or without a pre/probiotic combination during the nursery period on lactation performance, lifetime growth performance, and immune response. On day 110 of gestation, sows were allotted to a lactation diet with or without a live yeast probiotic (0.10% Actisaf Sc 47 HR+; Phileo by Lesaffre, Milwaukee, WI). At weaning, their offspring (350 pigs; initially 6.1 ± 0.02 kg) were randomly assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of sow treatment and nursery treatment consisting of a control diet or a diet with a yeast cell wall prebiotic and Bacillus subtilis probiotic (0.10% YB; Phileo by Lesaffre, Milwaukee, WI) fed for 42 d followed by common diets fed until marketing. Two nursery pens were combined into 1 finishing pen, such that there were 5 and 10 pigs per pen with 17 or 18 and 8 or 9 replications per treatment during the nursery and finishing periods, respectively. There were no significant effects of yeast supplementation on lactation performance (P ≥ 0.079). There was a sow × nursery diet interaction (P = 0.024) on nursery ADG. Pigs from yeast-fed sows had increased ADG when fed control nursery diets compared to pigs from control sows fed the control nursery diet with pigs fed pre/probiotic nursery diets intermediate, regardless of sow diet. Pigs from yeast-fed sows tended (P = 0.067) to have greater final body weight (BW) (day 165). A subset of pigs was sampled throughout their lifetime to determine serum porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antibody sample-to-positive (S/P) ratios and percentage inhibition of Lawsonia intracellularis. There was a tendency for a PCV2 S/P ratio sow diet × day interaction (P = 0.097) where progeny from yeast-fed sows had higher PCV2 S/P ratios at 101 d of age compared to control sow progeny (P = 0.046). There was a PCV2 S/P ratio nursery diet × day interaction (P = 0.036) where pigs fed a pre/probiotic combination had reduced S/P ratios at 66, 78, and 162 d of age (P ≤ 0.022); however, at 22 d of age pigs fed a pre/probiotic combination tended to have an increased S/P ratio (P = 0.051). In conclusion, the effects of combining a yeast probiotic in lactation diets and a pre/probiotic in nursery diets were not additive. However, feeding a live yeast probiotic during lactation resulted in tendencies (P ≤ 0.10) for increased progeny final BW and hot carcass weight.

The Effect of Maternal Probiotic or Synbiotic Supplementation on Sow and Offspring Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Health, and Performance

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has prompted the reduction in antibiotic and antimicrobial use in commercial pig production. This has led to increased research efforts to identify alternative dietary interventions to support the health and development of the pig. The crucial role of the GIT microbiota in animal health and performance is becoming increasingly evident. Hence, promoting an improved GIT microbiota, particularly the pioneer microbiota in the young pig, is a fundamental focus. Recent research has indicated that the sow's GIT microbiota is a significant contributor to the development of the offspring's microbiota. Thus, dietary manipulation of the sow's microbiota with probiotics or synbiotics, before farrowing and during lactation, is a compelling area of exploration. This review aims to identify the potential health benefits of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation to both the sow and her offspring and to explore their possible modes of action. Finally, the results of maternal sow probiotic and synbiotic supplementation studies are collated and summarized. Maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation offers an effective strategy to modulate the sow's microbiota and thereby enhance the formation of a health-promoting pioneer microbiota in the offspring. In addition, this strategy can potentially reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the sow and her offspring, enhance the immune potential of the milk, the immune system development in the offspring, and the sow's feed intake during lactation. Although many studies have used probiotics in the maternal sow diet, the most effective probiotic or probiotic blends remain unclear. To this extent, further direct comparative investigations using different probiotics are warranted to advance the current understanding in this area. Moreover, the number of investigations supplementing synbiotics in the maternal sow diet is limited and is an area where further exploration is warranted.

Beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus hsryfm 1301 fermented milk on rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

A growing stream of research suggests that probiotic fermented milk has a good effect on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This work aimed to study the beneficial effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus hsryfm 1301 fermented milk (fermented milk) on rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induced by a high-fat diet. The results showed that the body weight and the serum levels of total cholesterol, total glyceride, low-density lipoprotein, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, free fatty acid, and reactive oxygen species were significantly increased in rats fed a high-fat diet (M) for 8 wk, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased. However, the body weight and the serum levels of total cholesterol, total glyceride, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, free fatty acid, reactive oxygen species, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased with fermented milk (T) for 8 wk, and the number of fat vacuoles in hepatocytes was lower than that in the M group. There were significant differences in 19 metabolites in serum between the M group and the C group (administration of nonfermented milk) and in 17 metabolites between the T group and the M group. The contents of 7 different metabolites, glycine, glycerophosphocholine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, thioetheramide-PC, d-aspartic acid, oleic acid, and l-glutamate, were significantly increased in the M group rat serum, and l-palmitoyl carnitine, N6-methyl-l-lysine, thymine, and 2-oxadipic acid were significantly decreased. In the T group rat serum, the contents of 8 different metabolites-1-O-(cis-9-octadecenyl)-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, acetylcarnitine, glycine, glycerophosphocholine, 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, d-aspartic acid, oleic acid, and l-glutamate were significantly decreased, whereas creatinine and thymine were significantly increased. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that 50 metabolic pathways were enriched in the M/C group and T/M group rat serum, of which 12 metabolic pathways were significantly different, mainly distributed in lipid metabolism, amino acid, and endocrine system metabolic pathways. Fermented milk ameliorated inflammation, oxygenation, and hepatocyte injury by regulating lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolic pathways, and related metabolites in the serum of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Efecto de la actividad probiótica del hidrolizado Saccharomyces cerevisiae en los parámetros productivos de cerdas lactantes

La inclusión de probiótico hidrolizado (PHZ) en la dieta puede contribuir al rendimiento y la salud de las cerdas y los lechones. Este estudio consistió en evaluar la actividad del PHZ (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) como respuesta productiva en cerdas lactantes de la línea genética PIC. Se seleccionaron 48 hembras entre 1 a 6 partos, distribuidas en tres grupos de 16 animales, que, a partir de los 85 días de gestación hasta el destete, recibieron 0; 3 y 6 gramos (g) de PHZ, respectivamente. Los tratamientos (T) se organizaron en un diseño en bloques completamente al azar con el T de cultivo de levadura como efecto principal y número de parto con factor de bloqueo. Se recolectó calostro, para el análisis de composición. Los datos se analizaron por medio de un ANAVA y prueba de LSD de Fischer. Los resultados obtenidos infieren un efecto significativo (P<0,05) en los grupos con la inclusión de 3 y 6 g; la variable nacidos totales alcanzó promedios de 14,04 y 14,56; mientras que, nacidos vivos fue de 13, 21 y 13,43. Además, el peso promedio de los lechones al destete fue 7,85 y 7,95 kilogramos. Asimismo, el PHZ mejoró el porcentaje de grasa en la leche (P<0,05). Se concluye, que la inclusión PHZ en cerdas con gestación tardía y lactantes tiene un efecto suplementario en la alimentación.

Effects of yeast-derived postbiotic supplementation in late gestation and lactation diets on performance, milk quality, and immune function in lactating sows

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of yeast-derived postbiotic (YDP) supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation on the performance of sows and their offspring. At 90-d gestation, 150 sows (Landrace × Large White, parity: 3.93 ± 0.11) were allocated to three dietary treatments (n = 50 per treatment): 1) basal diet (control [CON]), 2) basal diet with 1.25 g/kg YDP (0.125 group), and 3) basal diet with 2.00 g/kg YDP (0.200 group). The experiment continued until the end of weaning (day 21 of lactation). Supplementation with YDP resulted in greater deposition of backfat in sows during late gestation and an increasing trend in average weaning weight of piglets than observed in the CON group (P < 0.01, P = 0.05). Supplementation with YDP decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets (P < 0.05). In farrowing sows' serum, the glutathione peroxide content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05); the content of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the 0.200 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In lactating sows' serum, malondialdehyde content was higher in the YDP group (P < 0.05). In day 3 milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content (P = 0.07), and tended to decrease the secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) content (P = 0.06) with respect to that in the CON group. The sIgA content in the YDP group was lower than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In the milk of sows, the 0.200 group tended to increase the lactose content with respect to that in the CON group (P = 0.08); the immunoglobulin G (IgG) content in the 0.125 group or YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). YDP supplementation increased the IgA content in the milk (P < 0.01). In sow placenta, the content of total anti-oxidant capacity in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P = 0.05); and the content of transforming growth factor-β in the YDP group was higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). In piglet serum, the content of IgG and immunoglobulin M in the 0.125 group was higher than that in the CON and 0.200 groups (P < 0.05). In summary, this study indicated that feeding sows diets supplemented with YDP from late gestation through lactation increased sows' backfat deposition in late gestation and piglets' weaning weight; decreased piglet mortality and diarrhea index in piglets; and improved maternal and offspring immunity.

Effect of Gardenia Pomace Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, Immune and Antioxidant Indices, and Meat Quality in Xiangcun Pigs

To investigate the effect of gardenia pomace (GP) as an unconventional feed of antioxidants, 180 Xiangcun pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups during the finishing period, with 6 replicates per group and 10 pigs per replicate. During the 47-day feeding period, the pigs were fed either a control diet based on corn and soybean meal (control group), or the control diet added with 50 g/kg or 100 g/kg GP (groups GP5 and GP10, respectively). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. One pig per replicate was slaughtered and sampled. The effects on growth performance, meat quality, digestibility, metabolism, and immunity and antioxidant properties of the pigs were investigated. The results showed that GP had no significant effect on the growth performance of Xiangcun pigs. Compared with the control group, the digestibility of crude ash, phosphorus, and crude fibre of pigs in the GP groups improved (p < 0.01), and the content of inosinic acid in the longissimus dorsi muscle increased (p < 0.05). The addition of GP to the diet significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the liver and spleen, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the longissimus dorsi muscle and spleen (p < 0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and spleen (p < 0.05). The GP5 group had a higher inosinic acid content in the longissimus dorsi and lower levels of the inflammatory factor interleukin-2 and interleukin-8 than those in the other groups (p < 0.05). The GP10 group had a higher IgA level (p < 0.05). Adding different proportions of GP to the diet improved the a* and b* of the longissimus dorsi muscles of Xiangcun pigs (p < 0.05). In summary, GP, as an unconventional feed, improved the apparent digestibility of the diet and body antioxidant capacity in Xiangcun pigs during the finishing period and did not negatively affect the growth performance or meat quality.

Live Yeast Supplementation in Gestating and Lactating Primiparous Sows Improves Immune Response in Dams and Their Progeny

The present study determined the effects of live yeast (LY) supplementation during middle–late gestation and the lactation period in primiparous sows on reproductive parameters, lactation performance, and immunity, and also explores the carryover effects in their offspring. On day (d) 60 of gestation, 16 crossbred primiparous sows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments (with or without supplementation of 425 mg/kg of live yeast; LYT and CT, respectively) homogeneous for body weight (BW) and backfat thickness. Experimental diets were applied from day 60 of gestation to the end of lactation. At weaning, 60 piglets with an average BW of each treatment were selected based on their source litter and assigned to two groups corresponding to the original treatments received by their mothers. Each group had five replicates of six piglets each and was fed a basal diet for 42 days. The results showed that LY supplementation significantly increased the serum IgA and IgG concentrations of sows at farrowing and weaning stages, and of piglets on day 14 and 28 post weaning. No significant differences were found in reproductive and lactation performance, while minor effects were observed on antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, live yeast addition during middle–late gestation and the whole lactation period resulted in enhanced immunity of primiparous sows and their offspring, therefore, improving maternal and progeny health.

Effects of yeast-based pre- and probiotics in lactation diets of sows on litter performance and antimicrobial resistance of fecal Escherichia coli of sows

A total of 80 sows (Line 241; DNA, Columbus, NE) across three farrowing groups were used in a study to evaluate the effect of feeding live yeast and yeast extracts to lactating sows on sow and litter performance and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of sow fecal E. coli. Sows were blocked by farrowing group, BW, and parity on d 110 of gestation and allotted to 1 of 2 dietary treatments. Dietary treatments consisted of a standard lactation diet with or without yeast-based pre- and probiotics (0.10% Actisaf Sc 47 HR+ and 0.025% SafMannan; Phileo by Lesaffre, Milwaukee, WI). Diets were fed from d 110 of gestation until weaning (approximately d 19 post-farrow). A tendency (P = 0.073) was observed for increased feed intake through lactation when sows were fed a diet with yeast additives compared to the control diet. There was no evidence (P > 0.10) that treatment influenced any other sow or litter performance measurements. Fecal samples were collected upon entry into the farrowing house and at weaning from the first farrowing group (27 sows) to determine the resistance patterns of E. coli. E. coli was isolated from fecal samples and species confirmed by PCR detection of uidA and clpB genes. Microbroth dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of E. coli isolates to 14 antimicrobials. Isolates were categorized as either susceptible, intermediate, or resistant based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. An interaction (P = 0.026) of diet × sampling day was observed for cefoxitin where fecal E. coli showed no evidence of treatment differences (P = 0.237) in MIC values at entry, but sows fed the control diet had lower (P = 0.035) MIC values at weaning compared to sows fed yeast additives. There were no diet main effects (P > 0.10) on the resistance of fecal E. coli. There was an increased (P < 0.02) towards resistance for 11 of the 14 antimicrobials over time. Fecal E. coli were resistant to tetracycline and ceftriaxone at weaning. Fecal E. coli were susceptible or intermediate in all sampling days to the remaining antimicrobials. In conclusion, feeding live yeast and yeast extracts tended to increase feed intake during lactation but did not influence either sow or litter performance measurements or the resistance of fecal E. coli during lactation except for cefoxitin, which had a higher MIC at the end of lactation when yeast additives were present in the diet.

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii CNCM I-1079 on performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance of mixed-parity sows in a tropical humid climate

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii (SB) for sows on their productive performance, colostrum and milk composition, and litter performance, in tropical humid climatic conditions. A total of 105 sows (Topigs Norsvin®) were allotted to a 5 × 3 completely randomized factorial design, with five diets (control diet; SBGL4 and SBGL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation from the 90th day of gestation until 24th day of lactation; SBL4 and SBL8: 0.04 and 0.08% SB supplementation during lactation) and three parity order groups (PO: 1st and 2nd; 3rd and 4th; 5th to 7th), considering each sow and their litter as experimental unit. Sows above the 5th PO that fed control diet had a lower daily milk production (DMP), number of weaned piglets (NWP), and daily weight gain of litter (DWGL) than sows from 1st to 4th PO that fed the same diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4 and SBGL8 to older sows provided a higher DMP, NWP, and DWGL when compared to sows of same PO that fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SBGL4, SBGL8, SBL4, and SBL8 provided a higher dry matter and protein contents in sows' milk of 1st and 2nd PO when compared to sows from same PO that fed control diet (P < 0.05). Dietary supply of SB enhances milk yield of older sows and their litter performance, as well as the dry matter and protein content of younger sows' milk in tropical humid climatic conditions.

Effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 on sows´ farrowing duration, reproductive performance, and weanling piglets´ performance and IgG concentration

We studied the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LSB) supplemented to lactating sows on reproductive traits and farrowing duration and to piglets from day 7 of life on post-weaning performance and IgG concentration. Ninety-six Landrace × Yorkshire sows started the trial 5 days before the expected farrowing date. Sows were distributed into 2 groups according to parity number and backfat thickness: control (CON: regular lactation diet) and LSB (CON + LSB at 2 × 10⁹ colony forming units [CFU]/kg of feed). Seven days after birth, litters were randomly selected from each group and supplemented creep feed with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg. At weaning, piglets from CON sows were shifted to a commercial farm and allocated to 14 pens in groups of 25 piglets/pen according to the creep feed supplemented during lactation. Piglets followed a 3-phase feeding program: creep, pre-starter and starter, with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in creep and pre-starter, and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in starter. The piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever on days 41 and 72 of life. One day before each vaccination and at the end of the trial, blood samples were collected from 15 randomly selected piglets per treatment and assessed for total IgG. Supplemented sows with non-supplemented litters displayed the lowest backfat thickness loss during lactation (p < 0.05). The LSB supplementation shortened farrowing duration (p < 0.05) and increased feed intake (p < 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The LSB-fed piglets were heavier at the end of creep (p < 0.05), pre-starter (p < 0.05), and the trial (p < 0.05); grew faster during creep (p < 0.05), starter (p < 0.05), and overall (p < 0.05); and displayed an improved feed conversion ratio during creep (p < 0.05). Total IgG content was higher at days 40 (p < 0.05) and 71 (p < 0.05) in LSB-fed piglets. We conclude that supplementing sows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 from late gestation until weaning shortens farrowing duration, increases feed intake, and minimizes backfat losses during lactation. When supplemented to piglet diet, post-weaning performance is improved. This improvement observed could be linked to a better immune status, as suggested by the higher IgG.

Effects of Fermented Radix puerariae Residue on Nutrient Digestibility and Reproductive Performance of Sows

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fermented Radix puerariae residue (FRPR) on reproductive performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of sows. A total of 36 landrace × large white multiparous sows were randomly arranged into three treatments, representing supplementation with 0, 2, and 4% FRPR to a corn-soybean meal and wheat bran-based diet during the whole gestation period. The results showed that dietary FRPR had no effects on litter size and the number of total alive piglets (P > 0.05), and that the number of weaned piglets and weaning weight of litter were increased in sows with 4% FRPR treatment compared with control treatment (P < 0.05). Dietary 4% FRPR significantly decreased constipation rate, improved the ATTD of dry matter and organics, and fecal contents of acetate, propionate, and total SCFAs (P < 0.05). In the offspring piglets, serum concentrations of total protein, alkaline phosphatase, IgG, IL-10, and TGF-β were increased, but blood urea nitrogen content was decreased with 4% FRPR treatment (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in all determined indexes except for fecal acetic acid and total SCFAs between control and 2% FRPR treatment (P > 0.05). These findings indicated that FRPR used in the diets of sows showed positive effects on fecal characteristics, utilization of nutrients, and reproductive performance. Maternal supplementation with 4% FRPR is recommended for improving immune responses, weaning litter size, and litter weight of offspring piglets, which provide useful information for the application of residues of R. puerariae.