Effects of Supplementation with Fermented Milk on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indicators and Fecal Microbiota in Suckling and Weaning Piglets

Early diarrhea and weaning stress are the main factors that seriously affect the high-efficiency healthy breeding. The beneficial microorganism has the characteristics of improving feed digestibility, improving host growth performance, enhancing immunity, and reducing diarrhea. As a carrier of probiotics, fermented milk can promote the establishment of a beneficial microbial community in the gut of piglets. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of supplemental lactic acid bacteria fermented milk (LFM) on growth performance, immune inflammation, and fecal microbiota structure in growing and weaned piglets. Sixteen litters of the same batch of (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire) piglets with 7-day-old (initial BW =2.85 ± 0.09 kg) were randomly divided into the control group (CON) and the fermented milk group (FM) with 8 litters in each group. Piglets in the FM group were supplemented twice a day with 150 ml, 300 ml, and 450 ml of FM per litter at 7-13 days, 14-20 days and 21-28 days of age, respectively, while the CON group was added with an equal amount of drinking water. The results showed that adding FM significantly increased the average daily feed intake of piglets at 7-28 days of age, significantly increased the average daily gain of piglets after weaning, and significantly reduced the diarrhea rate. In addition, consumption of FM significantly reduced serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and increased serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin G. Additionally, FM consumption significantly decreased the relative abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003 and Intestinimonas, which were positively related to the diarrhea rate of piglets, and increased the relative abundance of Ligilactobacillus and Holdemania in fecal microbiota of suckling piglets. In addition, the relative abundance of Campylobacter, Clostridium, p-251-o5_norank, and other harmful bacteria in weaned piglets was significantly reduced by FM. These findings support the benefits of FM for regulating gut microbiota balance and improving weaning health in piglets.