Effects of Lactobacillus brevis preparation on growth performance, fecal microflora and serum profile in weaned pigs

• Growth performance was improved by the L. brevis diet in weaned pigs.
• The intestinal microflora balance was improved by the diet with L. brevis.
• The immunity was improved by the diet with L. brevis.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus brevis ZLB004 on growth performance, fecal microflora, and serum profile in weaned pigs. A total of 144 weaned pigs (Duroc×Yorkshire×Landrace) with an average initial body weight of 15.60±0.13 kg were randomly assigned to 3 treatments, with 4 replicate pen per treatment and 12 pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.4, and 0.8 g/kg of L. brevis ZLB004. All pigs were given free access to feed and water for 30 d. The results showed that pigs fed diets with L. brevis ZLB004 increased average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio (P=0.026, 0.031, and 0.022 respectively), while decreased diarrhea incidence (P=0.044) compared with the control group. On d 30, dietary L. brevis ZLB004 increased lactobacillus populations (P=0.001), reduced fecal coliform populations (P=0.022). Supplemental L. brevis ZLB004 increased serum interferon-γ and total protein concentrations (P=0.024 and 0.044, respectively), while decreased serum haptoglobin and blood urea nitrogen (P=0.014 and 0.040, respectively). The results showed that L. brevis ZLB004 had beneficial effects on the improvement of intestinal microflora balance, immunity, and growth performance of weaned pigs.