Effects of oral administration of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 to nursing piglets on preweaning growth performance, fecal consistency, and fecal microbes

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of daily oral dose of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 to nursing piglets on fecal consistency, fecal microbes, and preweaning performance in a controlled trial. Materials and methods: A total of 26 litters of nursing piglets were assigned to receive a daily oral dose of placebo (n = 14 litters) or probiotic (n = 12 litters) for 18 days beginning on day 2 after birth until weaning on day 19. The probiotic treatment was B subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin, Calpis Co Ltd). Treatments were applied orally once daily to individual piglets via 1 mL sugar-based gel solution alone (placebo) or with B subtilis C-3102. Growth performance and litter size were measured on days 2, 9, 16, and 19. Fecal scoring and sampling were performed on days 2, 9, and 16 to categorize fecal consistency and conduct microbial analysis by isolation and enumeration method. Results: There was no statistical difference (P > .05) on growth performance, litter size, mortality, and fecal consistency in the preweaning period between placebo- and probiotic-treated litters. The numbers of B subtilis C-3102 (P < .001), total Bacillus species (P < .001), and total aerobes (P = .03) were increased in litters receiving probiotic compared to placebo. The numbers of Lactobacillus species, Enterococcus species, Clostridium perfringens, and Enterobacteriaceae were not influenced by treatment. Implications: A daily oral dose of B subtilis C-3102 probiotic did not influence preweaning growth performance and fecal consistency of nursing piglets and only influenced Bacillus species fecal microbial population.