Influence of probiotic complex on productive performance and metabolism in growing pigs

Topicality.  To date, an extensive scientific and practical material has been accumulated to study the effectiveness of probiotic feed additives in the feeding of farm animals. Some mechanisms of their action on the animal body have been studied, positive effects have been established, which are expressed in improving the microbial balance of the intestine, increasing the protective properties of the body, and realizing the productive qualities of animals. It is necessary to study the effectiveness of the use of probiotic complexes in comparison with the action of antibiotic-containing drugs.Methodology.  It was studied the probiotic complex of Enzymsporin containing a consortium of bacteria of the genus Bacillus (Bacillus subtilis VKM B-2998 D, Bacillus licheniformis VKM B-2999 D, Bacillus subtilis VKM B-3057D) at least 5x109 CFU/g was studied in comparison with antibiotic-containing drug Virginiamycin in feeding fattened young pigs. The studies were carried out on four groups (30 heads in each group) of growing pigs in the conditions of LLC “Bryansk meat processing plant” and in the laboratories of L.K. Ernst Federal Science Center for Animal Husbandry. The duration of the experiment was 113 days.Results.  During the studies, the control group of animals received compound feeds without probiotic additives, while the animals of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups received compound feed with the addition of probiotic complex in an amount of 0.5 and  1.0 kg/t, the 4th experimental group of pigs received compound feed with the addition of antibiotic-containing drug Virginiamycin 250 g/t. By the end of the study, the live weight and average daily increments of experimental animals increased by 5.0; 6.0; 10.02 and 5.8; 6.5; 12.2% (p < 0.001), respectively, compared with the control. Biochemical, morphological, immunological blood indices corresponded to physiological norms, the inclusion in the feed of pigs fed different levels of probiotic complex has led to a significant increase lysozyme, bactericidal and phagocytic activity of blood in animals 2nd and 3rd groups during rearing. Additional profit for the period of research was in the experimental groups of fattened young pigs +705,0; +849,0 and 1440.0 rubles/ head, accordingly, in comparison with the control, which indicates the effective use of not only antibiotic-containing drugs in feeding pigs, but also suggests the effective use of probiotics instead of antibiotic-containing feed preparations.