Simbiótico na alimentação de matrizes suínas em lactação

Abstract

The supplementation of synbiotics in swine production has become increasingly relevant due to their positive effects on intestinal microbiota modulation and animal health, in addition to their use as performance enhancers. In this context, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of synbiotic supplementation in diets of lactating sows on productive efficiency, hematological, biochemical and immunological profiles, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health of sows, and the productive performance of their offspring. The experiment involved 84 TN70 sows (Topigs Norsvin®), with an initial body weight of 236.0 ± 22.9 kg and a final body weight of 206.5 ± 27.6 kg, allocated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with 21 replicates and four treatments, where the pen containing the sow and her litter was considered the experimental unit. Treatments consisted of: (1) control diet (CD); (2) CD + 0.5 kg synbiotic/ton of feed (CD05); (3) CD + 1.0 kg synbiotic/ton of feed (CD10); and (4) CD + 1.5 kg synbiotic/ton of feed (CD15). The synbiotic consisted of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Saccharomyces boulardii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and mannanoligosaccharides (MOS). Sows from the CD15 group showed a higher body condition score at the end of lactation (P = 0.048) compared with those from the CD group, and a lower body condition score loss (P = 0.009). Piglets from sows receiving synbiotic supplementation had greater weaning body weight (P = 0.003) compared with piglets from the CD group. Furthermore, piglets from the CD group showed a higher incidence of diarrhea (P = 0.013) than piglets from the synbiotic groups. Sows from the CD05 group presented lower values of the enzyme aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P = 0.059) compared with those from the CD group. Females receiving synbiotic supplementation (CD05, CD10, and CD15) exhibited higher values of digestible energy (DE) (P < 0.0001) than those from the CD group. As synbiotic inclusion levels increased, there was an improvement in digestible protein (DP) values of sows (P < 0.0001). In addition, sows from the CD05 and CD15 groups showed a high abundance of bacteria belonging to the Methanobacteriaceae family and the genus Methanobrevibacter, suggesting a potential intensification of methanogenic activity, associated with a more anaerobic intestinal environment and enhanced fermentation of fibrous substrates. In conclusion, synbiotic supplementation in diets of lactating sows improved sow and litter performance, reduced the incidence of diarrhea in piglets, enhanced DE and DP values in sows, and modulated the intestinal microbiota, without negatively affecting other variables. Under the experimental conditions, synbiotics can be used as a performance-enhancing additive during lactation.