Assessment of a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis and its endospores in the obtainment of healthy lungs of pigs

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L?zara Ayala
Ram?n Bocourt
Grethel Mili?n
Manuel Castro
Magaly Herrera
Juan Alberto Guzm?n

Abstract

In order to assess the effect of a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis and its endospores on the obtainment of healthy lungs of pigs, 76 prefattening animals of 21 kg of average weight were slaughtered according to completely randomized design. Three groups were formed
considering the descendent of the sows consuming the probiotic in the final gestation stage (21 and 30 d before the farrow) (1), during
lactation (2) and post-weaning stage (3), at a rate of 109 endospores/g of concentrate. The hemoglobin, hematocrit and relative weight of
the thymus and spleen were determined to 24 animals. The hematological indicators of hemoglobin and hematocrit were within the normal range for the category and animal species. The relative weight of the thymus (0.08 vs. 0.09 vs. 0.08) only differed (P < 0.05) in group 2.
However, the weight of the spleen (0.18 vs1.50 vs. 1.62) was superior in the animals consuming the probiotic. The percentage of obtainment
of healthy lungs was superior (P < 0.01) in the pigs receiving the product. The lungs, in the groups 2 and 3, increased in 35 and 33 percent units, respectively, in respect to the control. It is concluded that the consumption of the probiotic by the pregnant sow and the descendents favors the obtainment of healthy lungs. Extending these results to a higher number of pigs for the production of healthy lungs is recommended.
Key words: pigs, healthy lungs, probiotic, Bacillus subtilis, endospores.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ayala, L., Bocourt, R., Mili?n, G., Castro, M., Herrera, M., & Guzm?n, J. A. (2012). Assessment of a probiotic based on Bacillus subtilis and its endospores in the obtainment of healthy lungs of pigs. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science, 46(4). Retrieved from https://www.cjascience.com/index.php/CJAS/article/view/152
Section
Animal Science
Author Biographies

L?zara Ayala

Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Apartado Postal 24, San Jos? de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba

Ram?n Bocourt

Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Apartado Postal 24, San Jos? de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba

Grethel Mili?n

Universidad de Matanzas, Matanzas, Cuba

Manuel Castro

Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Apartado Postal 24, San Jos? de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba

Magaly Herrera

Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Apartado Postal 24, San Jos? de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba

Juan Alberto Guzm?n

Instituto de Ciencia Animal, Apartado Postal 24, San Jos? de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba

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