Alterations in Milk Biomolecular Profiles and Piglet Performances Due to Dietary Probiotic Bacillus licheniformis DSMZ 28710 Supplementation

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic Bacillus licheniformis DSMZ 28710 supplementation on sow performance, Preweaning piglet performance, and the biochemical profiles of colostrum and milk. Sixty-eight crossbred sows (Landrace (Formula presented.) Yorkshire) were allocated to either a standard lactation diet (Control; n = 35) or the Control diet supplemented with 10 g/sow/day of B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710 (Treatment; n = 33), from day 109 of gestation until day 21 of lactation. Sow and piglet performance, as well as the incidence of piglet diarrhea, were recorded. Moreover, the study investigated the changes in major chemical compositions, immunoglobulins, fatty acids, and non-volatile polar metabolites in colostrum, transient milk, and mature milk of sows. Supplementation of B. licheniformis increased piglet body weight on day 21 of lactation in old parity sows (p = 0.037). Moreover, the incidence of diarrhea was reduced in piglets suckled by sows supplemented with B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710, regardless of sow's parity or lactation stage (p < 0.05). Probiotic supplementation decreased fat content in transient milk (p = 0.026) and increased lactose content in mature milk (p = 0.011). Chemometric analysis revealed clear distinctions between the Control and Treatment group in the fatty acid profiles of colostrum, transient milk, and mature milk, while notable differences in non-volatile polar metabolite profiles were observed specifically in mature milk. In conclusion, supplementation with B. licheniformis DSMZ 28710 reduced the incidence of diarrhea in piglets, increased body weight of the piglets in old parity sows and altered the biomolecular profiles in colostrum, transit milk, and mature milk of the sows.