News Center
The gut microbiota consists of a very large number of micro-organisms. Bacteria make up the majority of this and both commensal and pathogenic bacteria colonise the intestines. Whereas the commensals live in symbiosis with the host, the pathogens can cause damage and inflammation if conditions allow them to grow beyond normal levels. Such conditions could occur during weaning.
2022-09-30
Suckling piglets supplemented with a Bacillus species-based probiotic have shown a notable increase in growth performance as compared to a control group. A different study also addressing the effect a Bacillus species-based probiotic supplemented as feed additive has shown that pre-weaning mortality could be significantly reduced by more than 50% with probiotic supplementation. Such notable increase in piglet survival results in one more pig weaned per litter, which is a clear indication that probiotics can improve the performance and profitability of sow units.
2022-09-30
In the past, antibiotics were sometimes used to prevent and treat infectious diseases induced by weaning stress. However, the use of preventive antibiotics is being banned in many regions around the world. Many feed additives are on the market that claim to be a suitable alternative for preventive antibiotics as they have a positive effect on gut health and immunity of the animals. One of these products include the probiotics, live microorganism that confers a health benefit to the host, when administered in adequate amounts. Probiotics not only help in the maintenance of the piglet’s health status but have also been shown to improve the growth and feed conversion ratio.
2022-09-30
Probiotics are on every list of tools to reduce therapeutic antibiotic usage. They have been shown to reduce diarrhoea, even necrotic enteritis. They improve welfare through reduced foot pad lesions and easily replace the effects of antibiotic growth promoters via feed. In layers some have been shown to improve shell quality, while also having a positive effect on FCR. First studies also show a clear effect on reduction of colistin and other therapeutic antibiotics. The big question is which strains can have the desired effect? Especially within the Bacillus subtilis group there is considerable genetic variation, easily explained by the wide ecological niche this species has adapted to.
2022-09-30
Adding probiotics to bees’ food helps make them more resistant to nosemosis, a fungal infection associated with colony collapse disorder that has been observed in Europe and North America over the past 20 years. Currently, nosemosis is treated with antibiotics, but their efficacy is declining as resistant strains of the fungus have emerged.
2022-09-29
pigs are prone to gastrointestinal (GI) infections because their stomachs do not produce as much hydrochloric acid as adults do. This high pH environment can give rise to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and hinder the population of beneficial bacteria necessary for healthy digestion. It also leads to more undigested feed entering the lower gastrointestinal tract.