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Fermented feed materials (FFM) have recently been recognized for their potential to enhance the overall performance and health of piglets.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing FFM on growth performance and health parameters.
Methods: The whole experiment was divided into two phases: suckling (days 7 to 25) and weaning (days 25 to 69). During the suckling phase (from day 7 to 25 of life), 36 piglets (divided into three groups of 12 piglets/group) were assigned to:
- (1) the control group, receiving a full-fledged commercial pre-starter feed (FFCP)
- (2) FFM1 groups, receiving 25 mL of fermented milk permeate with P. pentosaceus LUHS183
- (3) FFM2 groups, receiving 25 mL of fermented milk permeate with P. acidilactici LUHS29
Body weight was measured weekly, while fecal and blood samples were analyzed on days 25 and 69.
Results: The results showed that weaned pigs of the FFM1 and FFM2 groups had higher body weight on day 69 compared to control group. Feed conversion ratio was similar in the three groups. On day 69, the highest concentration of immunoglobulins IgG was found in FFM2 group compared to other groups, while plasma alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in treated groups compared to the control group. Diet did not influence aspartate aminotransferase, fecal pH or dry matter content. On day 69, the feces of the FFM1 and FFM2 groups exhibited higher texture hardness compared to the control group. Additionally, the lactic acid bacteria count differed significantly between the FFM2 and control groups. The control group had high abundances of beneficial lactobacilli and Prevotellaceae but the lowest bacterial diversity compared to the FFM1 and FFM2 groups. On day 69, feces of treated groups had greater variability in individual volatile compounds compared to the control group. Significant correlations between volatile compounds and fecal microbiological parameters were observed.
Conclusion: Fermented feed materials containing pediococci and lactobacilli support gut microbial diversification and homeostasis, potentially contributing to improved body weight gain.
Badaras S, Starkute V, Mockus E, Ruzauskas M, Klupsaite D, Mozuriene E, Dailidaviciene J, Dauksiene A, Vadopalas L, Metzler-Zebeli BU, Bartkiene E. Modeling the weaning diet of piglets with fermented feed material: effects on growth performance and health parameters. Frontiers in veterinary science. 2025; 12: 1616209. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1616209