Weaning stress disrupts intestinal development and microbial homeostasis in piglets, resulting in diarrhea and impaired growth performance. This study evaluated the effects of a dietary triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic (BP) on growth performance and intestinal health in weaned pigs. Supplementation with BP, particularly at 1.6 × 108CFU/kg feed (400 mg/kg), improved growth efficiency and feed efficiency, while reducing post-weaning diarrhea index. These effects were associated with enhanced intestinal morphology, improved barrier function through upregulation of tight junction proteins, and modulation of gut microbiota, characterized by increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Romboutsia, and Clostridium. Additionally, BP increased short-chain fatty acid production in the colon, indicating enhanced microbial fermentation. Overall, BP improves growth performance by modulating intestinal barrier function and microbial composition, supporting its application as a functional feed additive to alleviate weaning stress in piglets.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.