Effect of Dietary Folic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance and Hepatic Protein Metabolism in Early-Weaned Intrauterine Growth Retardation Piglets

To investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with folic acid on growth performance,hepatic protein metabolism and serum biochemical indices of early-weaned intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR) piglets,24 male(Duroc×(Landrace×Yorkshire)) weaned(14-d-old) IUGR piglets were randomly divided into 3 treatments with 8 replicates of 1 piglet per replicate.The piglets in each treatment were fed basal diet supplementation with either 0(control),5 and 10 mg kg-1 folic acid.The trial lasted for 21 d.Dietary folic acid supplementation reduced average daily feed intake(ADFI)(P<0.05).In addition,the average daily gain(ADG) in 10 mg kg-1 folic acid group was significantly decreased(P<0.01) and the ratio of feed:gain(F/G) increased slightly(P>0.05).Serum folic acid concentration increased(P<0.01) with increasing folic acid inclusion,however,serum homocysteine concentration decreased significantly(P<0.01).Enhanced serum urine nitrogen(SUN) and diminished serum total protein(TP) as well as liver TP content were observed in 10 mg kg-1 folic acid group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the relative mRNA expressions of insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) and mammalian target of rapamycin(m-TOR) in liver were respectively tended to reduce(P=0.06) and significantly downregulated(P<0.05) in 10 mg kg-1 group,in compared with 5 mg kg-1 group.However,when compared with control group,folic acid supplementation had no significant effect on the mRNA abundance of IGF-1 and m-TOR.The results indicated that supplementation with 10 mg kg-1 folic acid impaired growth performance and hepatic protein metabolism of early-weaned IUGR piglets while 5 mg kg-1 folic acid enriched diet exerted limited positive effects.     

Piglet Diarrhea and Technology Transfers to Prevent E. coli Infection at Small-Holder Pig Farms in Binh Dinh,Vietnam

The study aims at finding alternative interventions for the prevention ofE. coli infection in piglets so as to boost farmers＇ benefits and improve environment in the area. Data were collected from one experimental group consisting of 210 small pig holder farms and one control group of 70 farms. All of 280 litters and sows were analyzed and the techniques of early vaccination at 60-80 d of pregnant （time 1） were applied and repeated after 10 d with E. coli vaccine to produce antibodies through milk. The percentage of piglets with diarrhea caused by E. coli significantly decreased from 75.7% to 18.9%. Injection of E. coli vaccine for the pregnant sows created antibodies for young piglets through colostrums. The treatment of E. coli cost 45,420 Vietnam Dong （VND） per litter in the experimental group and that was 156,000 VND/litter in the control group. Use of betel-bokashi （bio-product as plant antibiotics and Lactobacillus） to treat piglet diarrhea was proved safe and effective. Litter size and average weight at birth and weaning were improved significantly （P 〈 0.05）. The average weaned weight of piglets and sows were 11.2 kg and 118.6 kg in the experimental group, compared to 9.4 kg and 89.9 kg in the control group, respectively. Piglets in the experimental group had good health, no diarrhea and a shorter weaning time （2 d） and mating interval 2.22 days earlier than those in the control group. The average profit of 210 households was significantly higher in the experiment group： feed-cost was much lower than that in the control group. Small-holder farms implementing the experiments of applying the techniques received more financial profit, which was 1,502,000 VND per year per sow, while those who did not apply the techniques gained only 223,000 VND per year per sow.     

Effects of Supplemental Histamine on Gastric Acid Secretion, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Intestinal Microfloral of Early Weaned Piglets

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of supplemental histamine in the diet ofearly-weaned piglets. In experiment A, 24 cross bred piglets with an average body weight of 6.10±0.40 kg,weaned at the age of 28 days, were divided into four groups, fed with basal diet of low dietary copper without(control) or with supplemental histamine at 60, 120, 180 μg kg-1 BW. During the two weeks and the thirdweek after weaning, ADG(average daily gain) of piglets were increased by 15.8% (P＜0.05), 9.5% (P＜0.10) by addition of 60 μg kg-1BW histamine, but decreased by addition of 180 μg kg-1BW histamine, whichalso increased the amount of E. coli in colon and the scour incidence. The secretion of gastric acid and pepsinwere improved by both dose of supplemental histamine (60, 180 pg kg-1BW) and gastric digesta pH were de-creased by both. Addition of 60 μg kg-1 BW histamine improved the activities of trypsin, amylase in duodelumdigesta. In experiment B, 12 cross bred piglets with an average body weight of 6.85±0.35 kg, weaned at theage of 28 days, were divided into two groups, fed with basal diet of high dietary copper without (control) orwith supplemental 60 μg kg-1 BW histamine. During the two weeks and the third week after weaning, ADG ofpiglets were increased by 9.8% (P＜0.05), 7.0% (P＜0.10). The secretion of gastric acid, activities oftrypsin and amylase in duodelum digesta, were also improved by addition of 60 μg kg-1 BW histamine. The re-sults showed that addition of histamine (60 μg kg-1 BW) in early weaned piglets could increase the secretion ofgastric acid and pepsin, reduce gastric digesta pH and scour incidence, improve activities of trypsin, amylasein duodelum digesta, and the growing performance of early weaned piglets.     

Combined Selection Index for New Yorkshire Dam Line with High Prolificacy

The combined selection index used in the breeding of new Yorkshire dam line with high prolificacy according to breeding objects was formulated as /：2.272E- BVNB-0.056EBVDAYS. After 5 generations breeding, the two main selected traits such as total number of born and age at 100 kg weight was 12.17 piglets/litter and 165.18 d, respectively. The genetic improvements per generates was 0.156 and -2.198, respec- tively. The breeding objects of the new Yorkshire dam line with high prolificacy were basically reached. It indicated that the methods and index could be used in pig breeding.     

Heritabilities and genetic and phenotypic correlations of litter uniformity and litter size in Large White sows

Litter uniformity,which is usually represented by within-iitter weight coefficient of variation at birth（CVB）,could influence litter performance of sows and the profitability of pig enterprises.The objective of this study was to characterize CVB and its effect on other reproductive traits in Large White sows.Genetic parameters and genetic correlation of the reproductive traits,including CVB,within-iitter weight coefficient of variation at three weeks（CVT）,total number born（TNB）,number born alive（NBA）,number born dead（NBD）,gestation length（GL）,piglet mortality at birth（M₀）,piglet mortality at three weeks（M₃）,total litter weight at birth（TLW₀）,and total litter weight at three weeks（TLW₃）were estimated for 2 032 Large White litters.The effects of parity and classified litter size on CVB,CVT,TNB,NBA,NBD,GL,M₀,M₃,TLW₀,and TLW₃ were also estimated.The heritabilities of these reproductive traits ranged from 0.06 to 0.17,with the lowest heritabiiity for CVB and the highest heritabiiity for TLW₀.Phenotypic and genetic correlations between these reproductive traits were low to highly positive and negative（ranging from-0.03 to 0.93,and-0.53 to 0.93,respectively）.The genetic correlations between TNB and CVB,and between M₀ and CVB were 0.32 and 0.29,respectively.In addition,CVB was significantly influenced by parity and litter size class（P<0.05）.All the results suggest that piglet uniformity should be maintained in pig production practices and pig breeding programs.     

Production of homeobox A10 gene transgenic pigs by somatic cell nuclear transfer

Homeobox A10(Hoxa10) gene is one of the most important candidate genes associated with the reproductive performance of humans and mice. Overexpression of Hoxa10 in mouse endometrium can increase litter size. Moreover, Hoxa10 plays a key role in regulating the embryo implantation of sows. This study aimed to generate transgenic pigs using Hoxa10 via somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT). We established seven Hoxa10-transgenic cell lines, and two of the cell lines were selected as nuclear donors for the transfer. A total of 1 270 cloned embryos were generated and transferred to five surrogate mothers(Landrace×Yorkshire). Eight cloned male piglets were produced including one with cryptorchidism. Six transgenic piglets grew up healthy and produced 56 offspring. Finally, we obtained six transgenic male pigs and 26 transgenic positive offspring that can be used to further study the regulatory mechanism of Hoxa10 on the reproductive performance of pigs.     

Oral Insulin Stimulates Intestinal Department and Enzyme Maturation in Newborn Pigs

The effects of oral insulin on intestinal tissue growth and brush border enzyme activities in newborn pigs were examined in this study. Newborn unsuckled pigs were bottle-fed for 3 days with artificial milk (M), milk supplemented with 60 mIUmL^-1 of insulin (IM) or hydrolyzed milk (HM). Compared with newborn unsuckled pigs, piglets bottle-fed for 3 days all gained in intestinal weight and length significantly despite a mild loss in body weight during the experimental period. The activities of lactase and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) in the small intestinal mucosa declined markedly in pigs fed with M, but the activity of maltase increased significantly during the experimental period. Dietary protein pre-hydrolysis had no significant effect on intestinal tissue mass or length,but it moderated the decline of intestinal lactase and AKP activities. Dietary supplementation of insulin significantly increased mucosal protein content and brush border activities of lactase, maltase, AKP and aminopeptidase (AP) in the small intestine.The effect of insulin treatment was particularly obvious at the distal region of the small intestine. These results demonstrate that oral insulin can stimulate intestinal digestive enzyme activities in newborn pigs. The finding supports the hypothesis that milk-borne insulin plays a role in regulating postnatal gut development in the suckling young.     

Vaccination of Plasmid DNA Encoding Somatostatin Gene Fused with GP5 Gene of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Induces Anti-GP5 Antibodies and Promotes Growth Performance in Immunized Pigs

Somatostatin （SS） is a hormone that inhibits the secretion of growth hormone. Immunization against SS can promote the growth of animals. This paper described the effects of DNA immunization on the growth and antibody response in mice and pigs immunized with a plasmid DNA encoding SS fused with GP5 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus （PRRSV）. A fragment of 180 bp encoding partial SS gene was amplified by PCR from the genomic DNA of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of pigs, and cloned as a fusion gene with PRRSV GP5 in plasmid pISGRTK3. Three times of immunization with the resulting plasmid pISG-SS/GP5 induced anti-GP5 antibodies in BALB/c mice and pigs, as demonstrated by GP5-specific ELISA and immunoblotting. Compared with pigs immunized with empty vector pISGRTK3, the growth performance of pigs immunized with pISG-SS/GP5 was increased by 11.1% on the 13th week after the last vaccination. The results indicated the plasmid DNA encoding SS and PRRSV GP5 fusion gene elicited anti-GP5 antibodies and improved the growth performance of immunized pigs.     

Analysis of Stillbirth in Different Types of Sows

Statistical analysis was conducted on sow stillbirth traits of three mating types with 1686 litters including Erhualian, Large White and F1. The number of stillborn piglets per litter (NSB) in Erhualian,Large White and Fl averaged 0.87, 0.32, 0.72, and the percentage born alive (PBA) averaged 95.1%,97.1%, 95.7%, respectively. The Erhualian pig with a higher litter size also had a higher stillbirth rate. The results of the variance analysis indicated that the mating type, parity, farrowing year × farrowing season interaction and the total number born had highly significant effects on both NSB and PBA in sows (P ＜ 0.001).Farrowing season had highly significant effects on NSB (P ＜ 0.01), and significant effects on PBA (P ＜0.05). Farrowing year had no significant effects on NSB ( P ＞ 0.05), and highly significant effects on PBA (P＜0.01). From parity 1 to parity 10, the least square means for NSB progressively increased with increasing parity, the least square means for PBA progressively decreased with increasing parity. The sows farrowed in winter had the highest NSB and the lowest PBA, the sows farrowed in autumn had the lowest NSB and the highest PBA. The least square means for NSB markedly increased with an increase in the total number born,indicating that the positive phenotypic correlation existed between them. The least square means for PBA markedly decreased with an increase in the total number born, indicating that the negative phenotypic correlation existed between them. The estimating results of the paternal half sib indicated that the heritabilities for NSB and PBA were 0.111 and 0.123, the genetic correlation, phenotypic correlation and environmental correlation between them were - 0.985, - 0.947 and - 0.942, respectively.     

Current Status and Possibilities for the Development of the Cattle Breeding in the Primorsko-Goranska County,Croatia

At the beginning of 2007 the milk producers from the Primorsko-Goranska County, Croatia were surveyed through the questionnaire in order to determine the current status and to highlight the obstacles and the possibilities of development and improvement of the modern cattle breeding in the observed county. The questionnaire spanned 2001-2006 period and all together 260 families were surveyed. The survey aimed to get as much as possible useful information＇s that would indicate the problems concerning the cattle breeding in this area, and based on these results to give certain guidelines for the improvement of current status. Older age of milk producers, significant number of family farms with small number of cattle and difficult implementation of selective measures due to the small number of cows that were included in milk recording were determined as the main obstacles for cattle breeding development in the surveyed county. It is emphasized that development of cattle breeding in this area should be based upon the increased number of family farms with larger herds. To achieve this it is necessary to retain existing cattle fund, and then gradually increase the number of cattle in the mentioned county through the import of breeding heifers of dairy and combined breeds from neighboring European countries with highly developed cattle breeding. Besides that, it is also necessary to create conditions for the production of organic （ecological） products, which represents the future of agriculture, livestock production, bearing in mind that demanding European market has recognized the value of organic agricultural products that were produced through environment friendly production, which Primorsko-Goranska County, due to its significant natural resources, could easily assure.     

Analysis of PRLR and BF Genotypes Associated with Litter Size in Beijing Black Pig Population

This study is aimed at using the DNA mutations in the prolactin receptor （PRLR） and properdin （BF） genes to determine associations between the genotype and litter size in the Beijing Black pig population. A total of 321 Beijing Black pig sows were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism （PCR-RFLP） method, with the Alu I and Sma I for PRLR and BF genes, respectively. Two different alleles of PRLR and BF genes were identified： allele A （0.25） and B （0.75） of the PRLR gene, allele A （0.13） and B （0.86） of the BF gene. The association analysis between the genotypes and the litter size were estimated with the method of the general linear model. The analysis results of PRLR showed that in first parity, sows with genotype AA had a larger litter size than sows with genotype AB and BB, but the difference was statistically not significant. In later parities, statistically significant （P 〈 0.05） differences were seen between sows with genotypes AA and AB, and BB of the PRLR gene. The associated analysis results between genotypes and litter size （total number born, TNB, and number born alive, NBA） showed that there were no significant differences in the first parity sows with different genotypes of the BF gene, but significant differences appeared in NBA between the sows of genotypes AB and BB, in later parity, for which significantly higher values were observed in the offspring of heterozygotes. Considering the consistent genotypic effect on the litter size of both sows in first parity and later parity, it was concluded that the locus of the PRLR gene, digested with Alu I, could be the gene maker for the litter size in Beijing Black pigs.     

The toxicological effect of dietary excess of saccharicterpenin,the extract of camellia seed meal,in piglets

Recently, saccharicterpenin extracted from Camellia oleifera seed meal has become a widely used feed supplement in animal husbandry. In order to assess its safety, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity and histopathological effects of saccharicterpenin on piglets. One hundred-fifty weaned pigs((Yorkshire×Landrace)×Duroc), 75 males and 75 females with body weight(BW) of(7.35±0.29) kg, were randomly allotted to groups receiving diets supplemented with 0, 500, 1 000, 2 500 or 5 000 mg kg~(–1) saccharicterpenin for 70 d. The diet with 500 mg kg~(–1) saccharicterpenin supplementation improved liver glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity, and the diet with 1 000 mg kg~(–1) saccharicterpenin supplementation improved liver glutathione S-transferase(GSH-S) activity in piglets on d 70(P0.05). At 2 500 mg kg~(–1), saccharicterpenin in the diets reduced average daily feed intake(ADFI) and average daily gain(ADG) of piglets from d 1 to 35, damaged the cardiac tissue and liver on d 35, and decreased white blood cell counts(WBC), activities of catalase(CAT) and GSH-Px, and concentrations of glucose(GLU) and urea nitrogen(BUN) in the blood of piglets on d 70(P0.05). In addition, diets with 5 000 mg kg~(–1) saccharicterpenin supplementation reduced ADFI, ADG and increased diarrhea rates of piglets from d 36 to 70, and decreased hemoglobin(HGB) concentration and activity of CAT in the blood of piglets on d 70(P0.05). Moreover, at a rate of 5 000 mg kg~(–1), saccharicterpenin supplementation increased pancreas index on d 35 and hepatic index on d 70, and damaged cardiac tissue, liver and spleen during the whole experimental period(P0.05). These results suggested that dietary 500 mg kg~(–1) saccharicterpenin supplementation had beneficial effects on piglets, but excessive supplementation(2 500 or 5 000 mg kg~(–1)) of saccharicterpenin in the diets could lead to growth retardation, hematological abnormalities and organ injuries.     

Genetic parameters and trends for production and reproduction traits of a Landrace herd in China

The objectives of this study were to estimate the genetic parameters and the breeding progress in a Landrace herd in China, and to predict the potential benefits by applying new breeding technology. Hereby, the performance records from a Landrace swine herd in China, composing over 33 000 pigs born between 2001 and 2013, were collected on six economically important traits, i.e., average daily gain between 30–100 kg(ADG), adjusted backfat thickness at 100 kg(BF), adjusted days to 30 kg(D30), adjusted days to 100 kg(D100), number born alive(NBA), and total number born(TNB). The genetic parameters were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood via DMU, and realized genetic trends were analyzed. Based on the real population structure and genetic parameters obtained from this herd, the potential genetic trends by applying genomic selection(GS) were predicted via a computer simulation study. Results showed that the heritability estimates in this Landrace herd were 0.55(0.02), 0.42(0.01), and 0.12(0.01), for BF, D100, and TNB, respectively. Favorable genetic trends were obtained for D100, BF, and TNB due to direct selection, for ADG and NBA due to indirect selection. Long-term selection against D100 did not improve D30, though they are highly genetically correlated(0.64). Appling GS in such a swine herd, the genetic gain can be increased by 25%, or even larger for traits with low heritability or individuals without phenotypes before selection. It can be concluded that conventional breeding strategy was effective in the herd studied, while applying GS is promising and hence the road ahead in swine breeding.     

Effect of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on serum antioxidant capacity,mucosal sIgA secretions and gut microbial populations in weaned piglets

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different forms of yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae supplementation on serum antioxidant capacity, mucosal secretory immunoglobulin A(s Ig A) secretions and gut microbial populations in weaned piglets. A total of 96 piglets weaned at 14 d of age were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments:(1) basal diet without yeast(Control);(2) basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g kg–1 live yeast(LY);(3) basal diet supplemented with 2.66 g kg–1 heat-killed whole yeast(HKY); and(4) basal diet supplemented with 3.00 g kg–1 superfine yeast powders(SFY). Each treatment had 4 replicates(pens), with 6 piglets per replicate. The experiment lasted for 3 wk. At d 7 and 21 of the experiment, the samples of serum, mucosa and mesenteric lymph node(MLN) from jejunum, and digesta from the ileum and cecum were collected for determinations. Compared with the Control, dietary SFY supplementation increased serum superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and lysozyme levels at d 7, and jejunum mucosal s Ig A secretions at d 21 of the experiment(P0.05). Dietary LY supplementation increased serum SOD activity and jejunum mucosal s Ig A secretions, but decreased serum malondialdehyde(MDA) concentration at d 7 and 21(P0.05). Piglets fed diets supplemented with LY and SFY had lower p H values and decreased numbers of Escherichia coli in the ileum and cecum contents at d 21 compared with the Control(P0.05). Moreover, the ratio of Lactobacilli to E. coli in the ileum and cecum contents was increased by dietary LY and SFY supplementations(P0.05). Collectively, different forms of yeasts, especially LY and SFY, may modulate body antioxidant capacity and enhance the intestinal immunity by regulation of secretions of mucosal s Ig A and reduction of pathogenic bacteria colonization, thus improving intestinal health of weaned piglets.     

Polymorphism of Exon 2 of FSHβ Gene and Its Relationship with Reproduction Performance in Two Goat Breeds

The objectives of the present study were to detect the polymorphism in follicle stimulating hormone beta （FSHβ） gene and investigate the relationship between FSHβ gene and high prolificacy in goats.According to the sequence of ovine FSHβ gene,two pairs of primers were designed to detect single nucleotide polymorphism of exon 2 of FSHβ gene in two goat breeds,Xinong Saanen dairy goat and Boer goat,by PCR-SSCP.The least square mean and genetic variance of different genotypes at polymorphic locus were analyzed,and the selection reaction was forecasted by genetic correlation between marker locus and genetic variance of litter size traits.There was one polymorphic locus occurring in exon 2 （P2） with three genotypes （EE,EF and FF）.In Xinong Saanen dairy goat,EE genotype had significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） litter size than EF and FF genotype in the first to fourth parity and average parity;EF genotype had significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） litter size than FF genotype in the second and average parity.In Boer goat,EE genotype had significantly higher （P 〈 0.01） litter size than EF and FF genotype in the second to fourth parity and average parity;EF genotype had significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） litter size than FF genotype in average parity.In Xinong Saanen dairy and Boer goat,the heredity of litter size was mainly influenced by genetic additive effect and the EE genotype is a favorable marker genotype for litter size in these two breeds.     

Association Between the 313 bp Indel in Porcine POU1F1 Gene and Reproduction Traits

The study aims to analyze the distribution of the 313 bp indel （insertion/deletion termed as indel） in first intron of POU1F1 and it＇s association with reproduction traits in Sutai pigs by using the PCR-DSCP technique. The results showed that in this commercial pig population, the frequency of allele A was 0.6371, B was 0.3629; the genotype frequency of AA was 0.4516, AB was 0.3710, BB was 0.1774, and the Z2 test showed that the allele frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The SPSS GLM procedure was used to identify the association of the 313 bp indel with reproductive traits. In Sutai pigs, the pigs with AA genotype represented higher value in all reproduction traits, except for higher survival rate of piglets at weaning. Higher weaning weight was significantly associated with AA genotype pigs and higher survival rate of piglets at weaning was significantly associated with BB genotype （P〈0.05）, but no significant differences in other reproduction traits among genotypes were found （P〉0.05）; the P value of different traits affected by fixed factors were not significant as well （P〉0.05）. The result indicated that although this 313 bp indel was significantly associated with the weaning weight and survival rate at weaning, no any association with major reproduction traits was observed in Sutai pigs.     

Effects of Soybean Active Peptides on Performance and Serum Lipid of 14-day Old Early Weaned Piglets

This purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of soybean active peptides (SAP) in 14-day old early weaned piglets feed. Eighteen crossbreed piglets Duroc x Landrace x Yorkshire (14-day old) were randomly divided into three groups with six piglets each group. Control was fed with 8% animal plasma (AP). Trial 1 was fed with 4.9% AP and 4.9% SAP. Trial 2 was fed with 12.62% SAP. This raising period was 30 days and divided into three periods with earlier period (0-15 days), latter period (16-30 days) and whole period (0-30 days). The results showed that average daily gains (ADG) in trial 1 were increased 16.33%, 12:64% and 13.94% (P ＞0.05) and Efficiency of feed conversions (EFC) improved 17.35%, 11.40% and 13.46% than control in respective periods; ADG in trial 2 were reduced 12.24%, increased 4.21% and reduced 0.40% (P＞0.05) and EFC were improved 19.81%, 13.08% and 15.76% than control in respective periods. Means of TG and LDL-C/HDL-C in trial 1 were lowest in three groups and reduced 6.54% (P ＞0.05) and 0.96% than control. Means of TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C were the highest in trial 2 among three groups and increased 8.93% (P ＞0.05), 39.69% (P ＜0.05), 34.94% (P ＞0.05), 27.31% (P ＞0.05) and 5.96% than control respectively. It was concluded that substituting part Ap for SAP in 14-day old piglets Feed was practicable.     

Effects of Probiotics on Growth,Pork Quality and Serum Metabolites in Growing-finishing Pigs

A total of 72 growing-finishing pigs（56 days old） were used to investigate the effects of dietary probiotics on growing performance, pork quality and serum metabolites. Using single factorial experiment design, pigs were allotted to three groups（four pens/group and six pigs/pen）. Diet treatments were a corn-soybean meal（control group） and a corn-soybean meal with 1% probiotics（probiotics group） or 80 mg kg-1colistin sulfate（antibiotics group）. Pigs were slaughtered when pigs of the lightest averaged 90 kg（157 days of age）. There was no difference（p＆gt;0.05） in average daily gain or feed/gain, and the average daily feed intake of the antibiotics group was higher than that of the probiotics and the control groups（p＆lt;0.05）. Diet supplemented with probiotics reduced the drip loss and cooking loss of pork（p＆lt;0.05）. Dietary supplementation with probiotics significantly decreased the content of triglycerides, lowdensity lipoprotein and urea nitrogen in serum（p＆lt;0.05）, and increased the content of high-density lipoprotein in serum（p＆lt;0.05）. These results suggested improving effects of dietary probiotics on pork quality and serum metabolism in growing-finishing pigs.