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Microbial content of non‐fermented liquid feed consumed by sows affects the occurrence of neonatal diarrhoea in their piglets: A case–control study
Author(s) -
Boulbria Gwenaël,
TeixeiraCosta Charlotte,
Chevance Céline,
Grandin Romane,
Jeusselin Justine,
Berton Pauline,
Guennec Jean Le,
Normand Valérie,
Bouchet Franck,
Brissonnier Mathieu,
Lebret Arnaud
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1002/vetr.837
Subject(s) - biology , diarrhea , feces , fermentation , food science , lactic acid , coliform bacteria , flora (microbiology) , zoology , bacteria , veterinary medicine , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Background Microbial colonisation of piglets’ intestines starts at birth, especially from contact with sow's faeces. Piglet microbiota could therefore be influenced by the sow's diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the microbiological flora of liquid feed for sows can be associated with the development of neonatal diarrhoea. Methods This study was carried out on 10 case farms with neonatal diarrhoea and 10 control farms without neonatal diarrhoea. On each farm, a microbiological analysis of gestating and lactating liquid feed was performed. A generalised linear model was used to study the impact of the liquid feed microbiological counts and pH on the probability of neonatal diarrhoea developing. Results For thermotolerant coliforms, sulphite‐reducing bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria and lactic‐acid bacteria counts, there was no significant difference between case and control farms. The higher the count of total coliforms, enterococci and yeasts in sow non‐fermented liquid feed, the greater the probability of observing neonatal diarrhoea. Moreover, taking into account total coliforms and yeasts counts together is highly predictive of neonatal diarrhoea risk. Conclusion This study offers new perspectives of investigation and understanding of neonatal diarrhoea in breeding farms feeding sows with a non‐fermented liquid feed.