Probiotics as Feed Additives in Weaned Pigs: A Review

Accepted: 22/06/2015 Abstract Weaning is a complex phenomena which causes a great change in the magnitude and diversity of exposure to environmental antigens derived from food and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Early weaning is a valuable way to get enhanced breeding efficiency and economical profits in modern intensive swine production. But this practice is accompanied by many challenges such as reduced feed intake, diarrhoea, body weight loss, damage to intestinal function and health. Antibiotics have traditionally been widely applied to nursery pigs to solve post weaning problems. However, development of antimicrobial resistance to these antibiotics urged scientists to find viable alternatives to the use of antibiotics that could enhance the natural defence mechanisms of animals. Probiotics have been established as a good alternative which can enhance intestinal health by stimulating the development of a healthy microbiota (predominated by beneficial bacteria), competing with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients in the gut, preventing enteric pathogens from colonizing the intestine, increasing digestive capacity and lowering the pH, or improving mucosal immunity. It is suggested that probiotic should be used as a feed additive in livestock.