Comparative Effect of Probiotics (Swine and Dairy Origin) on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Blood Biochemical Profile, Immune Status and Faecal Microbial Count of Early-weaned Grower-finisher Crossbred Pigs

Abstract

Background: Earlier antibiotics were used for growth promotion and prophylactics against gastrointestinal diseases but the injudicious use of antibiotics could lead to bacterial resistance and certain amount of residues in animal products. Therefore, maintenance of intestinal microflora balance through a non-antibiotic approach is urgently needed and for that probiotics is now preferred over antibiotics. The application of probiotics had gained significant attention in developing suitable alternatives of antibiotics in the swine industry.Methods: The experiment was conducted by considering n=27 number female post weaned piglet which were distributed into three groups (3 replicates of 3 each) and supplemented with basal diet either without probiotics (C) or with a probiotic of dairy-based (Lactobacillus acidophilus NCDC-15) or swine based (Pediococccus. acidilactici FT28) to evaluate the effect of probiotics on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood biochemical profile, immune status and faecal microbial count in growing pigs.Conclusion: Improvement in terms of growth performance, digestibility of CP, N retention found. The serum A: G ratio, triglyceride, glucose and cholesterol level lower (p less than 0.05) in TPedic group compared to other treatment groups. The cell-mediated and humoral immune response was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in probiotics supplemented animals, nonetheless, swine based probiotic had better (P less than 0.001) response as compared to dairy based probiotics.