INFLUENCE OF Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Actisaf SC 47®) AS FEED ADITIVE IN GESTATION OR LACTATION DIETS ON SOWS AND NURSING PIGLETS HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the eff ect of sows gestating or lactating diets supplemented with a commercial probiotic preparation (live
yeast culture - Saccharomyces cerevisiae, “Actisaf Sc47®”) on their health status, as well as the health status and productivity of their piglets during lactation. A total of 120 sows were divided into three groups: fi rst (G, n=40) and second (L, n=40) group was fed diets with probiotic during pregnancy (G) or lactation (L), respectively. Th e third group (C, n = 40) was the control, which was fed without probiotic. Uterus and/or the udder diseases were manifested in the smaller (p<0.01) proportion in treated group (G=7.5%, L=12.5%) compared to control group (22.5%). Th e incidence of piglets diarrhea was lower (p<0.05) in the treated litters (12.5%) compared to the control litters (27.5 %). The average weaned piglets per litter (p/l) and weaning litter weight (lw) (G=11.6 p/l and 103.6 kg/lw; L=11.1 p/l and 102.8 kg/lw, C=10 p/l and 79 kg/lw) were higher (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively) in treated, compared to the control sows. Th ese results show that the use of probiotic signifi cantly improves the health status of lactating sows and piglets, as well as the piglets productivity within lactation.