ROLE OF PROBIOTICS IN COUNTERACTING THE EFFECT OF USUAL FEED CONTAMINANTS IN SWINE

Daniela Marin, Gina Pistol, M. Gras, C. Rotar, Ionelia Taranu

Abstract
   The paper aims to investigate the potential of probiotics (a Lactobacillus polyculture-Lb) to counteract the effects of experimental co-contamination between E. coli, a common pathogenic bacterium in livestock farms responsible for post-weaning diarrhea in pigs and zearalenone, a Fusarium mycotoxin in order to achieve a nutritional strategy that reduces therapeutic interventions with antibiotics. For this purpose, growth performance, overall health status, immune response were assessed in 40 weaned piglets (10 piglets/group) distrusted in 4 groups: C- control, E1- E. coli+250ppb ZEA, E2- E. coli+250ppb ZEA+ Lb (product in development), E3- E. coli + 250ppb ZEA+ Lb (commercial product). Experimental groups received feed contaminated (E1, E2, E3) or not (C) with 250 ppb ZEA for the entire period of the trial (13 days). E coli was administered to E1, E2, E3 for 3 days at the beginning of the trial, followed by the administration of probiotic products for the rest of the period. Feeding piglets with co-contaminated feed had a tendency to decrease the body weight and feed consumption. No significant effect of the treatments was observed on the serum parameters. However, piglets from E2 group have a significant increase of IgA, IgM and IgG as compared with control, but no effect was observed on total antioxidant capacity or nitric oxide synthesis. In conclusion, the probiotic treatment can improve the immune status in piglets feed co-contaminated feed.

Key words: weaned piglets, zearalenone, E. coli, Lactobacillus