Influence of the probiotic Bacillus cereus var. toyoi on the intestinal immunity of piglets

In a feeding trial, sows and piglets were fed with the probiotic bacterium Bacillus cereus var. toyoi as a feed additive, and the effects on immune cell populations were examined. The development of the gut immune system was determined for piglets at the ages of 14, 28, 35 and 56 days post partum. Tissue samples of the Jejunum and the continuous Peyer's patch were used for enumeration of intraepithelial lymphocyte populations by fluorescence activated flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Both independent methods of investigation led to similar results: the population of intraepithelial CD8+ T cells was significantly enhanced in the probiotic group piglets (p ≤ 0.05), and the numbers of γδ T cells tended to be higher in the intestinal epithelium (p < 0.1) at the time of weaning (day 28). Lamina propria lymphocytes were also influenced by the treatment. Application of B. cereus var. toyoi resulted in significantly more CD25+ lymphocytes and γδ T cells in the probiotic group post-weaning. The occurrence of pathogenic Escherichia coli serogroups was also less frequent in the feces of piglets from the probiotic group. The finding that the CD8+ T cell population in the intestinal mucosa showed changes on day 28 indicated that the influence of B. cereus var. toyoi supplementation on the intestinal immune system started before weaning, an observation supported by changes in the intestinal microflora observed during the suckling-period. The results suggest that feeding of B. cereus var. toyoi to sows may result in beneficial effects on piglet health status independent of their feed supplementation.     

Performance, diarrhea incidence, and occurrence of Escherichia coli virulence genes during long-term administration of a probiotic Enterococcus faecium strain to sows and piglets

As part of an interdisciplinary research project, the performance response of sows and their litters to the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415, as well as some health characteristics of the piglets, were studied. Gestating sows (n = 26) were randomly allotted into 2 groups. The probiotic was administered by dietary supplementation to 1 group of sows and their respective litters (probiotic group), whereas the second group (control group) received no probiotic supplementation. The duration of the treatment was nearly 17 wk for sows (d 90 ante partum until d 28 postpartum) and 6 wk for piglets (d 15 to 56). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded weekly. The frequency of 4 toxin and 5 adhesion genes of putative pathogenic Escherichia coli was monitored weekly (d 7 to 35) by multiplex PCR assays, and fecal consistency of weaned piglets was studied daily. Probiotic treatment of lactating sows led to an overall pre-weaning mortality of 16.2% compared with 22.3% in the control group (P = 0.44). Animal losses during the first 3 d of the suckling period were decreased in the probiotic group (P = 0.09). For piglets (n = 153), which were weaned at 28 d, there were no overall treatment differences in BW gain, feed intake, or feed efficiency. Probiotic supplementation, however, led to nearly a 40% reduction (P = 0.012). The actual percentage of piglets with postweaning diarrhea in the probiotic group was 21% compared with 38% in the control group (P = 0.05). The study on virulence factors of dominant fecal E. coli isolates revealed a high diversity with varying frequency and distribution of each single pathogenicity gene. The 440 isolates carried 29 different pathogenicity gene combinations as well as each of the 9 pathogenicity genes alone. Altogether, isolates with more than 2 pathogenicity genes were quite rare (< or = 10%), and up until d 28 isolates without any pathogenicity gene occurred most frequently. Depending on the time of sampling, one-third or more of all isolates contained est2 or est1b as single gene or in combination with other pathogenicity genes.     

广西猪源益生菌的分离鉴定与生物学特性研究

为了解广西地区猪粪便与微生态发酵饲料中益生菌的存在情况及合理开发和利用猪源益生菌,本试验共采集了15份猪粪便样品和5份益生菌发酵饲料并对其进行益生菌的分离,研究益生菌的形态学特性、生理生化特性及16S rRNA分子序列,进行生长曲线、耐胆盐试验、温度敏感试验、模拟胃肠道耐受试验、耐药性试验、体外抑菌试验、小鼠安全性试验、体内/外抑菌试验,对分离菌株进行生物学特性的研究分析。结果显示,本试验共分离鉴定出6种、29株益生菌,分别为1株屎肠球菌（C2）、2株乳酸肠球菌（C1、C3）、3株植物乳杆菌（R20、R30、R37）、4株干酪乳杆菌（R41~R44）、7株枯草芽孢杆菌（K1~K7）和12株蜡样芽孢杆菌（Y1~Y12）。从中筛选出6株具有生长性能好、耐胆盐、耐高温、对胃肠道耐受、体外抑菌能力强的益生菌：乳酸肠球菌C1、屎肠球菌C2、植物乳杆菌R20、干酪乳杆菌R41、枯草芽孢杆菌K1和蜡样芽孢杆菌Y3。将筛选出的具有优良特性的菌株进行小鼠安全性试验,结果表明,在10⁹ CFU/mL浓度下灌胃6株益生菌对小鼠是安全无毒害的。与此同时,C2、R20、R41、Y3能极显著提高小鼠日增重（P<0.01）,K1能显著提高小鼠日增重（P<0.05）。体内抑菌试验结果表明,C2、R20、K1能降低沙门氏菌G21感染的小鼠的死亡率,有一定程度的体内抑菌作用。各项试验结果表明,R20和K1可作为猪源益生菌的选择菌株。     

Dietary administration of probiotics to sows and/or their neonates improves the reproductive performance,incidence of post‐weaning diarrhea and histopathological parameters in the intestine of weaned piglets

Probiotics have gained considerable attention with respect to their beneficial effects on livestock performance and health. The most significant effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota and the host animals take place when they are included in diets during particularly stressful periods such as weaning and/or at the beginning of the lactation period. The probiotics Bacillus mesentericus strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/g, Clostridium butyricum strain TO‐A at 1 × 10⁸ CFU/g and Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110 at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g were used. Litter weight at delivery and ratio of return to estrous improved significantly (17% and 24% improvement, respectively) by probiotic administration to sows (0.2% (w/w)). Furthermore, the feed intake of the probiotics‐administered sows was greater than that of the control sows during the late lactation period. Post‐weaning diarrheal incidence and growth performance was improved by probiotics administration to neonates (0.02% (w/w)), while the combined use of probiotics in sows and their neonates induced the enlargement of villous height and prevented muscle layer thinning in the small intestine of weaning piglets. The administration of probiotics of three species of live bacteria improved the porcine reproductive performance around stressful periods of sows (farrowing) and piglets (weaning). [Corrections added on 26 April 2016, after first online publication: ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐100’ has been corrected to ‘Enterococcus faecalis strain T‐110’ in the above paragraph and in the ‘Probiotics’ section under the Materials and Methods heading.]     

Feeding of the probiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415 differentially affects shedding of enteric viruses in pigs

Effects of probiotic bacteria on viral infections have been described previously. Here, two groups of sows and their piglets were fed with or without feed supplementation of the probiotic bacterium Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415. Shedding of enteric viruses naturally occurring in these pigs was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. No differences between the groups were recorded for hepatitis E virus, encephalomyocarditis virus and norovirus. In contrast, astrovirus was exclusively detected in the non-supplemented control group. Rotavirus was shedded later and with lower amounts in the probiotic piglet group (p < 0.05); rotavirus-shedding piglets gained less weight than non-infected animals (p < 0.05). Serum titres of anti-rotavirus IgA and IgG antibodies were higher in piglets from the control group, whereas no difference was detected between sow groups. Phenotype analysis of immune cell antigens revealed significant differences of the CD4 and CD8β (p < 0.05) as well as CD8α and CD25 (p < 0.1) T cell populations of the probiotic supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented control group. In addition, differences were evident for CD21/MHCII-positive (p < 0.05) and IgM-positive (p < 0.1) B cell populations. The results indicate that probiotic bacteria could have effects on virus shedding in naturally infected pigs, which depend on the virus type. These effects seem to be caused by immunological changes; however, the distinct mechanism of action remains to be elucidated.     

Potential effect of two Bacillus probiotic strains on performance and fecal microbiota of breeding sows and their piglets

The effect of long-term administration of two Bacillus strains was tested on 98 breeding sows and their litters allotted into three treatments: a control group (CON); supplemented with 5 × 10⁸ cfu/kg B. subtilis − 541 (BSU); or with 5 × 10⁸ cfu/kg B. amyloliquefaciens − 516 (BAM). Reproductive and performance variables were recorded over three cycles with 56 dams remaining through the third lactation. Blood and fecal samples were taken longitudinally from 12 sows per treatment on days 8 and 21 of the third lactation and milk samples were taken on day 21. Feces from one piglet per litter was sampled on days 21 and 33 and jejunal gene expression was assessed in two piglets on day 21. Changes in fecal microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) and gene expression by Open-Array technology. Metabolomic responses were analyzed in milk by NMR and Ig-G and Ig-A specific antibodies were determined by ELISA. No significant differences were observed on feed intake, body weight, or fat mobilization of the sows. However, a significant increase in the total number of piglets born was observed in supplemented sows. Although the increase was seen from the first cycle with BAM, improvements were not seen with BSU until the third cycle. BAM also increased the number of born-alive and weaned piglets. NMR analysis showed an impact of BAM on milk composition. No differences were found in milk or blood immunoglobulins. A different structure of the fecal microbiota was found in supplemented sows, with changes across phylum, family, and genus. These changes were greater at day 8, suggesting a relevant role of probiotics establishing a new intestinal balance after labor. Shifts in the microbiota were also seen in the piglets, with a clearer impact post-weaning than in suckling. In this regard, correlations between microbial groups of sows and piglets showed a higher link with weaned (d33) than with suckling pigs (d21), reinforcing the idea of an early maternal carry-over. No changes due to treatment in jejunal gene expression were detected; however, piglet size had a clear impact on different genes. In summary, the addition of both probiotics, and particularly Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, demonstrated potential benefits on the prolificacy of sows. Daily feeding of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens resulted in an increase in the number of weaned piglets. The high correlations between the compositions of the microbiota of sows and their piglets are evidence of maternal imprinting, with effects lasting beyond weaning.     

The effectiveness of inactivated vaccines applied parenterally to sows to control Escherichia coli diarrhea in piglets in an industrial fattening farm

Different vaccines against Escherichia coli diarrhea of piglets were applied parenterally in pregnant sows at an industrial fattening farm. The following vaccines were used: vaccine No. 1 with non-complete Freund's adjuvant. Tween 80 and Arlacel A, comprising O149:K91,K88; O139:K82; O8:K87,K88; O141:K85,K88; and O64:K? E. coli serotypes; vaccine No. 2 with paraffin oil instead of Freund's adjuvant, comprising the same E. coli serotypes as the vaccine No. 1; stable specific vaccine with 10% aluminium hydroxide, based on E. coli serotypes most frequently isolated from piglets which died at the farm (O149:K91,K88; O8:K87,K88; O20:K17; O64:K?); Gletvax K88 (Wellcome) and NOBI-VAC LT-K88 (Intervet International). The number of piglets which died up to the moment of weaning in comparison to the number of born ones was considered as an indicator of acquired protection. It was found that the most effective in conferring protection against E. coli diarrhea were: vaccine No. 1 and NOBI-VAC. The differences in the mortality rate between piglets originating from sows vaccinated with these vaccines and those from unvaccinated ones were statistically significant (P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted between controls and animals vaccinated with the remaining vaccines.     

屎肠球菌对感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫肉鸡生长性能和肠道屏障的影响

旨在探究屎肠球菌(Enterococcus foecium)对人工感染柔嫩艾美耳球虫(Eimeriatenella)肉鸡生长性能、存活率、盲肠损伤、粪便卵囊排出和肠道屏障功能的影响.选取体重相近的1日龄肉鸡(罗斯308)180羽,随机分为5组,包括空白对照组(NC)、感染对照组(PC)、70 mg·kg-1盐霉素添加组...     

Dietary probiotic supplementation and resulting effects on performance, health status, and microbial characteristics of primiparous sows

In an experiment with 33 first-litter sows from day 90 of pregnancy to day 28 of lactation, the influence of a probiotic supplementation on weight performance, feed intake, litter sizes, litter weights, health status and microbiological profile was tested. Enterococcus faecium DSM 7134 was supplemented in a concentration of 5 x 10(8) CFU/kg feed to the gestation and lactation diets of gilts. The supplemented sows showed a significant higher improvement of feed intake (4.16 vs. 3.71 kg/day), litter size (9.2 vs. 7.7 piglets) and weight performance. The average live weight of the probiotic sows at day 28 of lactation was 11 kg higher than of the controls. The bacterial counts/g faeces (lactobacilli, Gram-positive anaerobes, Gram-negative anaerobes, Escherichia coli and enterococci) and the incidence of adhesive and haemolytic E. coli organisms revealed no significant differences between the sows of the two groups or their piglets. While the litter size cannot necessarily be assumed as a primary effect of the probiotic supplementation, the significantly better feed intake and weight performance might be partly due to the probiotic use and can prevent "starvation sterility" of young sows after their first litter caused by reduced feed intake during lactation with high mobilization of body tissue accompanied with lack of energy.     

屎肠球菌新序列型ST989菌株的分离鉴定及多重耐药性分析

试验从青海民和县某羊场致病性感染半月龄羔羊中分离出革兰氏阳性菌,感染羔羊临床症状有精神萎靡,采食减少,发病1~2 h后死亡。两只濒死羔羊剖检结果发现,其中一只出现肝脏肿大及肝包膜脱落,其余脏器无明显病理变化;另一只各脏器均未发现病理变化。分离病料,革兰氏染色发现,从病料中分离到的细菌均为革兰氏阳性球菌。对分离菌株进行Tuf基因PCR扩增,BLASTn比对结果显示与屎肠球菌AUS0085核苷酸序列相似性为99.8%,据此初步确定这些菌株为屎肠球菌。药敏试验结果表明,这些菌株可分为两类,第1类对β-内酰胺类、氨基糖苷类、大环内酯类、四环素类、喹诺酮类、利福霉素类抗生素及林可霉素和克林霉素耐药,对氯霉素和万古霉素敏感;第2类对β-内酰胺类、氨基糖苷类、四环素类、喹诺酮类、利福霉素类抗生素耐药,对红霉素和罗红霉素中度耐药,但对克拉霉素、阿奇霉素、克林霉素、林可霉素、氯霉素和万古霉素敏感。对第1类耐药性代表菌株lby1和第2类耐药性代表菌株lbg3进行多位点序列分析(MLST),结果发现这些菌株为一个屎肠球菌的新序列型,为ST989。系统进化树结果显示屎肠球菌lbg3与屎肠球菌ST468亲缘关系最近,致病力试验结果表明屎肠球菌lby1和lbg3均具有致病性。     

Exposure to maternal feces in lactation influences piglet enteric microbiota,growth, and survival preweaning

It is known that gilt progeny performance is reduced compared with sow progeny. Previous research suggests that the presence of maternal feces in early life improves the health and survival of offspring. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether contact with feces from multiparous (MP) sows would improve the growth and survival of piglets born and reared on primiparous (P1) sows and if so, whether these differences are associated with the gut microbiota. Four treatments were applied for 10 days: Donor (n = 29) piglets had limited access to maternal feces as, each morning, sow feces were removed and placed in the crate of a P1 sow (P1-FT; n = 30 piglets) and P1-Con (n = 29) and MP-Con (n = 33) piglets had access to their own mothers’ feces. All piglets were weighed on days 1, 3, 10, and 18. Fecal samples were collected from a subset of sows (n = 10/treatment) 3 days post farrow and from two female piglets/litter on days 10 and 18 (n = 20/treatment) and subject to 16S rRNA amplicon analysis. Escherichia, Clostridium, Campylobacter, and Treponema were more abundant in MP sows, while P1 sows had a higher abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotella. At 10 days, P1 progeny fecal microbiota differed, and growth and survival were reduced when compared with MP progeny. No treatment effect was observed for P1-FT piglets (P > 0.05). Donor piglets had a different fecal microbiota and improved weight and survival then all other treatments (P < 0.05). Overall, the removal of sow feces from the farrowing crate improved piglet microbiota development, growth, and survival.     

Isolation,Identification and Multidrug-resistant Analysis of the New Sequence Type ST989 Strain of Enterococcus faecium

Gram-positive cocci were isolated from half a month diseased lambs with a fatal infection in a sheep farm in Minhe county, Qinghai province.The clinical symptoms observed were drooping, reduced feed intake, emaciated and fever.The infected lambs died several hours after the disease been observed.Necropsy of two dying lambs revealed that for one lamb, the liver was enlarged and capsule of the liver dropped, and other organs had no obvious changes;For the other one, the organs had no obvious changes.After gram staining, gram-positive cocci were observed from all the samples.Partial Tuf gene sequences of these isolates were amplified and sequenced for species identification, BLASTn conparison result revealed that they had the highest sequence similarity with that of Enterococcus faecium (E.faecium) AUS0085 (99.8%), we thus primarily confirmed that these strains belonged to E.faecium.Antimicrobial susceptibility test indicated that these strains could be divided into two classes.Class 1 was resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, macrolides, tetracyclines, quinolones, rifamycins, lincomycin and clindamycin;Susceptible to chloromycetin and vancomycin.Class 2 was resistant to β-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, rifamycins;Intermediate resistance to erythromycin and roxithromycin;But susceptible to clarithromycin, azithromycin, clindamycin, lincomycin, chloromycetin and vancomycin.Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) based on seven housekeeping genes for E.faecium revealed that E.faecium lby1 strain in class 1 and E.faecium lbg3 strain in class 2 were defined as a new sequence type ST989.Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed the representative strain of these isolates, E.faecium lbg3, was clustered together with E.faecium ST468.The pathogenicity test revealed that E.faecium lby1 and lbg3 strains both had pathogenicity.     

Influence of supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate preweaning and vitamin C postweaning on alpha-tocopherol and immune responses of piglets

This study was designed to test whether dietary maternal supplementation of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate during lactation and dietary vitamin C supplementation after weaning could increase the alpha-tocopherol status pre- and postweaning and the immune responses of piglets postweaning. The experiment involved 12 crossbred sows that were fed increasing levels of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl (70, 150, and 250 IU/kg, as-fed basis) during lactation. After weaning (d 28 of age), litters were divided into two groups that were supplemented with or without vitamin C (500 mg/kg of feed, as-fed basis). Milk and blood samples were obtained from the sows during lactation. Pigs were bled at 4, 16, 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age. Liver, heart, muscle, and s.c. adipose tissues were collected (on 28, 35, 42, and 49 d of age) and analyzed for alpha-tocopherol. On the same days, alveolar macrophages of the lungs were collected, and analyzed for the concentration of alpha-tocopherol and its stereoisomer composition, fatty acid composition, and release of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, and thromboxane B2. Increasing dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentration increased the concentration of alpha-tocopherol in plasma (P = 0.02) and milk (P = 0.007) of sows, and the sow milk concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and vitamin A were greater on d 2 of lactation than later on during lactation. The plasma concentration of alpha-tocopherol in piglets decreased from d 4 to later on during suckling (P < 0.001) and again as the postweaning period progressed (P < 0.001). When lipid-standardized, plasma alpha-tocopherol was increased in piglets of sows fed 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate compared with other sow-groups (P = 0.005). At 28 d of age, alpha-tocopherol concentrations in tissues were increased with supplementation of the high dietary all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate levels to the sows; however, after weaning, a decrease in alpha-tocopherol concentration in most tissues (except liver) was observed, but the decrease tended to be less in the muscle (P = 0.099) and adipose tissue (P = 0.11) of piglets suckling sows fed 150 and 250 IU of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Vitamin C supplementation after weaning increased liver alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.01) and serum immunoglobulin M concentration (P = 0.04), and vitamin C supplementation increased the proportion of the RRR-alpha-tocopherol (P = 0.03) at the expense of the RRS-stereoisomer form (P = 0.05) of alpha-tocopherol in alveolar macrophages of the piglets. In conclusion, this study on maternal all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate and postweaning vitamin C supplementation suggests a nutritional strategy for increasing alpha-tocopherol status and immune responses of weaned piglets.     

Effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance,fecal moisture,serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of beet pulp supplementation on growth performance, fecal moisture, serum hormones and litter performance in lactating sows. Ninety primiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments in a 21‐day trial starting 3 days before parturition. The three dietary treatments were supplemented with 0, 10 and 20% beet pulp, respectively. Backfat loss and fecal moisture content were increased (P < 0.05), where cortisol and norepinephrine levels were decreased (P < 0.05) in sows fed beet pulp supplementation diets compared with control diet, but there was no difference between 10% and 20% beet pulp supplementation treatments. No effect was observed on bodyweight, average daily intake, weaning to estrus interval, epinephrine level in sows and litter weight, litter size, survivability in piglets among dietary treatments. Taken together, beet pulp supplementation has no significant effect of growth performance of lactating sows and piglets with decreased cortisol and norepinephrine levels in lactating sows, but it can increase fecal moisture content which is beneficial for sow feces excretion.     

Discussion of a biometrical model for the evaluation of feeding, age, and animal effects on transport properties of small intestinal mucosa

This paper is concerned with the question in which ways study results can depend on the choice of the statistical model and factors included in this model. This is shown using example data of a study dealing with the effects of an Enterococcus faecium as probiotic in the diet of pigs. We focused on the effects on transport properties of pig jejunum. The experimental design was the following: the sows and piglets were randomly assigned to two different feeding groups. The control group was fed a conventional diet and the experimental group was additionally supplemented with a probiotic preparation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 10415. The animals were divided into four age groups. Two samples of five animals of each feeding and age group were taken and mounted into conventional Ussing chambers. Glucose transport rates were measured by changes in short-circuit current (Isc) of the pig jejunum epithelium. The appropriate reference base for evaluation of effects of feeding or age on Isc is the variation between animals which are submitted to identical conditions relating to these factors. To refer explicitly to this variation a random animal effect has to be included in the statistical model of variance analysis. Otherwise the variation between animals could be underestimated. With the example data set conclusions for the factor "feeding" would be different depending on whether a random animal effect is included in the model or not.     

中药联合益生菌对大肠杆菌性小鼠腹泻的保护作用

【目的】研究中药联合益生菌对大肠杆菌性小鼠腹泻的保护作用。【方法】通过正交试验筛选中药联合益生菌最佳因素配比。取60只小鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、中药组、益生菌组和中药联合益生菌组,每组12只。空白组小鼠腹腔注射生理盐水(0.2 mL/只),模型组、中药组、益生菌组和中药联合益生菌组均先腹腔注射分离菌悬液1×10⁷ CFU/kg,然后中药组按10 mL/kg灌胃中药液(其中蒲公英提取物浓度为0.25 g/mL,黄芪总黄酮和黄芪多糖浓度均为0.05 g/mL),益生菌组按4 mL/kg灌胃枯草杆菌悬液(菌含量5×10⁷ CFU/mL),中药联合益生菌组按上述量灌胃中药液和枯草杆菌混合液,每天定时灌胃给药1次,连续3 d。每日记录小鼠腹泻、体重、采食量等情况。末次给药12 h后分离心脏、肝脏、肾脏、脾脏、肺脏,称重并计算脏器系数;血液分析法检测血液学指标;取粪便及小肠内容物检测粪便隐血情况并进行细菌计数;ELISA法检测小鼠血清和小肠组织中髓过氧化物酶(MPO)活性。【结果】中药联合益生菌最佳因素配比为A₁B₂C₂D₂。与空白组相比,模型组小鼠腹泻率100%且无自愈现象,症状和剖检病变明显,腹泻指数极显著上升(P＜0.01),体重、采食量均极显著下降(P＜0.01),肝脏、脾脏器官指数均显著升高(P＜0.05),淋巴细胞比率(LYM)、中间细胞比率(MID)均显著下降(P＜0.05),粒细胞比率(GRAN)极显著上升(P＜0.01);与模型组相比,中药组和中药联合益生菌组腹泻指数极显著下降(P＜0.01),体重、采食量显著上升(P＜0.05),中药组肝脏、脾脏器官指数显著下降(P＜0.05),中药联合益生菌组脏器系数极显著下降(P＜0.01),中药组、益生菌组及中药联合益生菌组LYM显著上升(P＜0.05)、GRAN显著下降(P＜0.05)。粪便隐血检测结果显示,模型组检测呈强阳性;中药组、益生菌组呈弱阳性,中药联合益生菌组呈阴性。与空白组相比,模型组小鼠肠内大肠杆菌数、血清及小肠组织中MPO活性均极显著上升(P＜0.01);与模型组相比,中药组和中药联合益生菌组小鼠肠内大肠杆菌数、血清及小肠组织中MPO活性均显著下降(P＜0.05)。【结论】中药联合益生菌可降低腹泻指数、肝脏和脾脏器官指数,增加体重、饮食量,使粪便隐血转阴并降低肠内大肠杆菌数、血清及小肠组织中MPO活性,从而对大肠杆菌性小鼠腹泻产生协同保护作用。     

抑制大肠杆菌K88的益生菌体外筛选

本研究以从断奶仔猪肠道分离的益生菌为试验菌株,将大肠杆菌K88和益生菌接种到体外培养的猪小肠上皮细胞(intestinal porcine epithelial cell-1,IPEC-1)中,测定培养2.5h上清液中的乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性,同时将益生菌和大肠杆菌K88体外混合培养2.5h,进行平板计数,统计大肠杆菌K88菌数的变化,筛选出可以抑制大肠杆菌K88的益生菌。试验结果显示,干酪乳杆菌和凝结芽孢杆菌能显著降低IPEC-1培养上清液中的LDH活性(P<0.05),降低大肠杆菌K88对细胞的损伤;凝结芽孢杆菌能降低DMEM培养基中大肠杆菌K88的生长速度,结合模拟制粒过程及胃肠道环境的耐高温、耐酸及耐胆盐研究进行综合分析,该凝结芽胞杆菌对大肠杆菌K88有较好的抑制作用且具有良好的耐高温、耐酸及耐胆盐性能,具有作为微生态制剂菌株的应用潜力。本试验建立了能够抑制大肠杆菌K88的益生菌体外筛选技术模型。     

Probiotic supplementation improves reproductive performance of unvaccinated farmed sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus

We investigated if probiotic supplementation could improve the health and reproductive performance of unvaccinated lactating sows infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus. Twenty unvaccinated pregnant sows were equally allocated to probiotic‐supplemented (P) and control (C) groups. For the experiment, 15 g/day of probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ was given to P sows. Reproductive performance was checked daily. The number of neonates fostered by each sow was maintained at eight throughout the experiment. Individual milk production post‐parturition was measured twice. Milk protein and fat ratios were determined by a milk analyzer. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) A and G concentrations were measured by ELISA. At day 7 post‐parturition, the body weight of P sows was 10 kg higher than that of C sows, and at day 3 post‐parturition, P sows produced more milk (+2 kg) and had a higher IgA concentration in whey than did C sows (p < .05). Finally, unlike C sows, P sows tended to return to estrus faster, and had larger piglets at birth with a lower mortality percentage during early days of suckling. In conclusion, probiotic compound BIO‐THREE PZ helped strengthen the immune system of unvaccinated, PED‐infected sows and improved their reproductive performance.     

Screening of Probiotics Inhibiting E. coli K88 in vitro

The probiotics tested in the experiment were isolated from the intestinal of weaning piglets.The isolated probiotics and E.coli K88 were inoculated into the culture of intestinal porcine epithelial cell-1 (IPEC-1).The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was measured after incubating for 2.5 h.At the same time, the probiotics and E.coli K88 were co-cultured in vitro, the number of E.coli K88 was counted and the probiotics which could be resistant to the E.coli K88 were selected 2.5 h later.The results showed that the Lactobacillus casei and Bacillus coagulans could significantly reduce LDH activity (P<0.05), decrease the damage of E.coli K88; Bacillus coagulans could inhibit the growth of E.coli K88.At the same time, Bacillus coagulans could resist high temperature, acid and bile salt.The results showed that Bacillus coagulans strains had great potential as the application of probiotics strains.The methods could be used as a model of screen probiotics which could inhibit the growth of E.coli K88 in vitro.