Multi‐strain yeast fraction product supplementation can alleviate weaning stress and improve performance and health of piglets raised under low sanitary conditions

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to evaluate the health benefits to weaning pigs, raised under low sanitary conditions, of dietary supplementation with a multi‐strain yeast fraction product ( Cyberlindnera jadinii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae ). In total, 160 weaning pigs (7.21 ± 1.05 kg) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments in a 6‐week feeding trial. The dietary treatments included a corn‐soybean meal‐based basal diet (CON) and CON + 2 g kg −1 multi‐strain yeast fraction product (MsYF) during weeks 1–2 and 0.4 g kg −1 MsYF during weeks 3–6. RESULTS The MsYF supplementation increased ( P  < 0.05) body weight (BW) at day 42 and average daily gain (ADG) during days 1–14 and days 1–42 ( P  < 0.05) compared to CON. The total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), fecal Lactobacillus counts, and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration at day 42 were higher ( P  < 0.05) in pigs fed a MsYF supplemented diet. The concentration of serum haptoglobin in pigs receiving a MsYF‐supplemented diet was higher ( P  < 0.05) at days 7, 14, and 42 than those receiving CON. The mRNA expression for INF‐ γ and TNF‐ α genes were lower ( P  < 0.05) at days 14 and 7 respectively and the expression of IL‐6 and TLR‐2 genes was lower ( P  < 0.01) at days 7 and 14 in pigs fed an MsFY supplemented diet than those fed CON. CONCLUSION Supplementation with a multi‐strain yeast fraction product had a positive effect on ADG during the early post‐weaning period and led to better health in weaning pigs. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry