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The increase in the number of born piglets affects the birth weight and litter uniformity, influencing the mortality rate and the increase in low birth body weight piglets (LBW). Probiotic supplementation has recognized benefits in animal health, particularly gastrointestinal benefits, which may enhance LBW animals.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of supplementation of oral probiotics on performance, blood biochemical parameters, incidence of diarrhoea, and mortality of piglets with high and low birth weight.
Methods: Seventy-two litters were randomly distributed in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of different oral probiotics for piglets in the farrowing stage (12 to 14 piglets/litter): T1-Control group, T2-Probiotic Blend 1, T3-Probiotic Blend 2. The piglets were grouped according to birth weight as low birth weight (LBW) if birth weight (BW) ≤ 1.15 kg and high birth weight (HBW) if BW > 1.15 kg, totalling six treatments. Performance, glucose levels by glucometer, urea, creatinine, mortality, incidence of diarrhoea, and rectal temperature of piglets in the farrowing stage were evaluated. In the nursery stage, performance, glucose, urea, creatinine, mortality, and incidence of diarrhoea were evaluated.
Results: For mortality, an interaction between BW and treatment was observed. LBW piglets in the Control group had high mortality, whereas LBW piglets in the Blend 1 group showed low mortality. HBW piglets had better daily weight gain and daily feed intake than LBW piglets at birth, both in the farrowing and nursery stages. The incidence of diarrhoea, urea and creatinine levels did not change in any of the stages. Glucose levels in the farrowing stage were affected, with the Control group showing lower levels 30 min, 1, and 2 h later.
Conclusion: The performance values showed that high birth weight piglets are superior to low birth weight piglets in the farrowing and nursery stages. However, the mortality rate may decrease in the farrowing stage in low birth weight piglets when supplemented with oral probiotics.
Fernandes AR, Pires DKO, Ferreira SV, de Moraes Chaves G, Lopes IMG, de Lima MD, Dos Santos LL da R, de Oliveira Fontes D. Oral supplementation of probiotic blends for low and high birth weight piglets. Tropical Animal Health and Production. 2025; 57(4): 218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04469-6