Impact of growth-promoting alternatives on weight gain and gut microbial diversity and activity in piglets

In swine husbandry, weaning is a critical event for piglets which causes environmental, nutritional, and psychological stresses, with consequences such as intestinal dysbiosis. To counteract this issue, producers resorted to the use of in-feed antimicrobials to prevent post-weaning diarrhea and to promote growth for increased animal performance. However, the use of antibiotic for growth promotion was banned in many countries. In-feed supplements have great potential as alternative strategies. This study evaluated the effect on gut microbial activity, microbiome, and animal performance of combinations of peri-weaning feeding strategies such as bovine colostrum, medium-chain fatty acids and yeast extract. We quantified weight gain, intestinal pH, volatile fatty acids, and characterized the gut microbiota on ileum, cecum, and colon digestates. Overall, the feed supplements had limited impact on weight gain and volatile fatty acids production. However, the combined treatments have demonstrated a modulatory effect on gut microbiota which supports a potential role as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotic in the swine industry.