Effects of Probiotics on Growth Performance,Immune Organ Indexes and Gastrointestinal pH of Weaner Piglets

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of probiotics( Lactobacillus plantarum,Bacillus subtilisand and their complex-probiotics) on growth performance,immune organ indexes and gastrointestinal pH of weaner piglets. A total of 128 weaner piglets were divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group and 8 piglets per replicate. The 4 groups were control group( CT),Lactobacillus plantarum group( LB),Bacillus subtilisand group( BS) and complex-probiotics group( LBS),respectively. The experiment lasted for 35 days. The results showed as follows: 1) in the first 2 weeks of experiment,there was no significant difference in average daily gain of weaner piglets among all groups( P 0. 05),however,compared with CT,the average daily feed intake and the ratio of feed to gain in LB,BS and LBS were significantly decreased by 23. 27%,20. 61%,15. 39% and 24. 75%,24. 75%,23. 23%( P 0. 05),respectively. In the 3 to 5 weeks of experiment,there was no significant difference in average daily gain,average daily feed intake and the ratio of feed to gain of weaner piglets among all groups( P 0. 05). 2) In the first 2 weeks of experiment, compared with CT,the liver index in LBS was significantly increased by 13. 75%( P 0. 05),the pH of stomach and duodenum was significantly decreased by 33. 93% and 16. 5%( P 0. 05),respectively. It is concluded that probiotics can improve the growth performance,reduce feed cost and maintain healthy of weaner piglets during the early period,however,the effects will be weakened as the time go on.