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Maternal Euglena gracilis supplementation alters sow and piglet gut microbiota, reduces diarrhea incidence, and enhances piglet growth

Summary

This study examined how feeding sows a supplement called Euglena gracilis (an algae-derived prebiotic) affected the gut bacteria of both the sows and their piglets. Piglets born to supplemented sows weighed more at weaning and had fewer cases of diarrhea during the nursing period. The supplement changed the types of bacteria in both the sows’ and piglets’ guts in beneficial ways, promoting healthier and more stable gut communities that supported better growth and digestive health.

Background

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in swine health and performance, with diet as a key modulator. Euglena gracilis supplementation has shown immunomodulatory effects, but its prebiotic effect on gut microbiota remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of maternal E. gracilis supplementation on gut microbiota dynamics, piglet body weight, and diarrhea incidence.

Objective

To evaluate the impacts of E. gracilis supplementation during late gestation and lactation on sow and piglet gut microbiota composition, piglet body weight, and incidence of diarrhea during the suckling period.

Results

Piglets nursed by E. gracilis-supplemented sows had greater body weight at weaning and lower diarrhea incidence on days 10-12 of age. E. gracilis supplementation increased Bacteroidetes and Spirochaetes while decreasing Firmicutes in sows during lactation. Piglets nursed by supplemented sows exhibited higher Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria abundance but lower Firmicutes, with gut microbiota composition correlated to body weight at days 10 and 21 of age.

Conclusion

Maternal E. gracilis supplementation during late gestation and lactation exerts prebiotic effects, alters both sow and piglet gut microbiota, reduces piglet diarrhea incidence, and tends to increase piglet body weight. These effects support gut microbial stability and may enhance piglet resilience against diarrhea during the suckling period.
  • Published in:Animal Microbiome,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41035002, DOI: 10.1186/s42523-025-00467-z
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