Effects of different feed form (dry and wet) supplemented with probotics (Lactobacillus spp) on the faecal microbial load and heamatological parameters of weaned pigs

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of different forms of feed  presentation (dry and wet) supplemented with Probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus on blood characteristics, microbial load and respiratory rate of growing pigs. Twenty-four crossbreed (Large white x Landrace) pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 19 ± 2.1kgwere allotted to four dietary treatments (two pigs per replicate with three replicates per treatment) in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted for seven (7) weeks. Treatment 1: Positive control (Dry feed without Probiotics), Treatment 2: Negative control (Wet feed without Probiotics), Treatment 3: (Dry feed + Probiotics), Treatment 4: (Wet feed + Probiotics).The probiotics (liquid form) was incorporated into the diets at the rates of 150ml/100kgaccording to manufacturer’s specification. The basal feed was formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of the animal. The pigs were moved to metabolic cages at the 6th week for faecal collection and evaluation. Blood was collected for both serum and haematological examination, while the respiratory rate, body and rectal temperature were obtained weekly. The total microbial count values show that there was a significant relationship between pigs fed Treatment 1 (179.50cfu) and Treatment 2 (122.00cfu). The faecal microbial count were higher for pigs in these two treatments compared to what was observed for their  counterparts in Treatment 3 (34.50 cfu) and 4 (32.00cfu). The result further  revealed that significant (p<0.05) differences were not observed in the heamatological profile of pigs fed the different feed despite the addition of  lactobacillus probiotics. The PCV value ranges from 28.67% (T2) to (32.67%), while the haemoglobin values ranges from 9.33g/100ml in pigs fed T3 diets to  10.50g/100ml in pigs fed T4 diet. The respiratory rate and rectal temperature were however not affected even with the addition of probiotics. Conclusively, addition of lactobacillus probiotics modulate the microbial balance in pigs irrespective of the forms (dry or wet) in which the feed was provided but respiratory rate, heamatological and serum characteristics were not affected

Keywords: Heamatology, faecal microbes, pigs, Lactobacillus