The Impact of Probiotic Administration on Clinical, Hematological and Biochemical Parameters in Pregnant Sows

In general actual trend to avoid the use of antibiotics in order to stimulate the productivity in swine, the use of probiotics appears to be the most effective procedure with positive metabolic nutritional implications. The study was carried out on 125 pregnant sows divided in a Control Group, that received probiotic-free diet, and an Experimental Group, that received the same diet supplemented with Bioplus 2B probiotic. The high performance saws were raised in the same conditions of a closed farm. Blood samples were collected from each animal, at 80th (before experiment), 90th and 110th day of gestation for hematologic and biochemical test. The results laid out a slight increase in white blood cell count and important changes in serum globulins, alkaline phosphatase, immunoglobulin and lysozyme, indicating probiotic stimulated the immunity. Other important metabolic changes in the Experimental Group were: a significantly increasing in serum total protein, HDL cholesterol and a decreasing in serum cholesterol, total lipid and triglycerides. No serious hematologic changes were registered in sows after diet with Bioplus 2B. The positive metabolic nutrition impact of probiotic administration on pregnant sows is demonstrated by all these hematological and biochemical results.