Composite Probiotic Fermented Feed Enhances Growth Performance and Intestinal Health in Weaned Piglets by Modulating...

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Microbiology
• Gut Health

Background:

• Weaned piglets face growth challenges and gut dysbiosis.
• Antibiotic growth promoters are increasingly restricted.
• Novel feed strategies are needed to improve piglet health and performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of compound microbial fermented feed on weaned piglet growth.
• To analyze the impact on intestinal morphology and microbiota.
• To explore metabolic profile changes and their correlation with performance.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-four weaned piglets were fed a control diet, 50% fermented feed (T1), or 100% fermented feed (T2) for 33 days.
• Growth performance (body weight, ADG, F/G) was monitored.
• Intestinal morphology, microbiota composition (multi-omics), and metabolic profiles were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fermented feed (T1 and T2) improved final body weight and average daily gain (ADG), reducing feed-to-gain ratio (F/G).
• T1 diet increased jejunal villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and goblet cell density in the hindgut.
• Fermented feed modulated gut microbiota, enriching beneficial taxa like Oscillospiraceae and Lachnospiraceae, and altered nucleotide and bile acid metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Compound microbial fermented feed effectively promotes growth and enhances intestinal health in weaned piglets.
• Microbiota-mediated pathways, including the enrichment of specific bacteria and altered metabolism, are key mechanisms.
• Fermented feed offers a promising antibiotic-free nutritional strategy for sustainable pig production.