16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of faeces/digesta/colostrum from sows/piglets supplemented with a probiotic

The study examined the effects of maternal and/or post-weaning Bacillus altitudinis supplementation on the microbiota in the colostrum and faeces of sows and offspring faeces/digesta by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Sows were assigned to: 1) standard diet (CON), or 2) standard diet supplemented with probiotic B. altitudinis spores (PRO) from day (D)100 of gestation to weaning. At weaning, offspring were assigned to a CON or PRO diet for 28 days, resulting in four groups: 1) CON/CON, 2) CON/PRO, 3) PRO/CON, and 4) PRO/PRO. Samples were collected from sows (n=12/group) and a subset of offspring (n=10/group) at various time-points from gestation to the end of the finishing period.