Clostridium butyricum alleviates weaned stress of piglets by improving intestinal immune function and gut microbiota

Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) has been reported to improve the intestinal health, whereas the mechanism is still uncertain. In this study, weaned piglets were treated with C. butyricum SLZX19-05 to test its effects and mechanisms on growth and intestinal functions. The major findings were that this probiotic reduced diarrhea rates and serum cortisol contents and improved growth performance of weaned piglets. In small intestine, its supplementation inhibited the inflammation and improved the morphology of piglets. Meanwhile, the ileal microbiota was remodeled and propionate production increased. In colon, its supplementation enhanced the expressions of barrier proteins and changed the expression model of host defense peptides, whereas minor changes occurred in microbiota and butyrate production increased. These evidences hint C. butyricum SLZX19-05 can alleviate weaned stress of piglets by improving the morphology, immune defense capacity and barrier function of gut via regulating microbiota and short chain fatty acids.