Effect of the probiotic 'Lactina' on some biological parameters and nonspecific resistance in neonatal pigs

Twenty four pregnant Danube white sows were allocated to 4 groups. All animals were fed basal diet formulated to meet their nutrient requirements. In addition to the basal diet, the sows from the II group were given the probiotic "Lactina" (500 g/ton) from the 5 day of pregnancy until the weaning of their offspring (35 days of age ) and their piglets were offered 800 g/ton Lactina during the pre-starter period and 500 g/ton throughout the starter period. The probiotic was only supplemented to the sows in the III group and to the piglets of the IV group in the same quantities as those in the second group. Both sows and piglets diets in the I (control) group were not supplemented with Lactina. Blood samples were taken from 20 randomly chosen piglets (5 in each group) at 5 and 35 days of age. The probiotic Lactina, supplemented both to the sows and piglets diets (II group) , increased complement activity in the piglets (P<0.05) at 5 days of age compared to control group, while the addition of Lactina to sows only (III group) or to piglets only (IV group) did not produce significant effect. Supplemental Lactina decreased plasma cholesterol level (P<0.05) at 35 days of age in II group of piglets. Plasma indol level declined in the piglets of the II group at the age of 35 days, while urea level were not changed in any of the Lactina supplemented groups, with the exception of the IV group where the piglets had higher (P<0.001) urea level at 5 days of age. Taken together our results indicate that the beneficial effect of Lactina on the nonspecific response and on the studied biological parameters is most emphasized when the probiotic is supplemented both to the sows and piglets diets. Besides, Lactina stimulated complement activity at the beginning of the neonatal period (5 day) and had no effect at the end of the neonatal period (35 day).