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Effects of lactulose supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, faecal microbial shedding, faecal score and faecal noxious gas emission in weanling pigs

A total of 120 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc, weaned at day 21 after birth] with an average body weight (BW) of 7.95 ± 1.22 kg were used in 6-week experiment to evaluate the effects of lactulose supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, faecal microbial shedding, faecal score and faecal noxious gas emission. Pigs were randomly allotted to one of four experimental diets according to initial BW. There were six replicate pens per treatment with five pigs per pen. Dietary treatments were: NC, basal diet; PC, NC + 0.05% tiamulin; L1, NC + 0.1% lactulose; L2, NC + 0.2% lactulose. The experiment included two phases (days 1–14 and days 15–42). Pigs fed PC and L1 diets had greater (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and gain/feed (G/F) than those fed NC diet during days 1–14. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) was improved (P < 0.05) by PC and L1 treatments compared with NC treatment during days 15–42. During days 1–42, ADG and ADFI were higher (P < 0.05) in PC and L1 than that in NC. Pigs fed L1 diet increased (P < 0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy compared with those fed NC diet at week 2, and the ATTD of N in PC and L1 treatments was increased (P < 0.05) compared with NC treatment. The concentration of faecal Lactobacillus was increased (P < 0.05), and E. coli counts were decreased (P < 0.05) by L1 treatment compared with NC treatment. Pigs fed L1 and L2 diets had lower (P < 0.05) faecal score compared with those fed NC diet. Dietary supplementation of 0.1% lactulose decreased (P < 0.05) the faecal NH3 emission compared with NC treatment. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.1% lactulose improved the growth performance, ATTD of energy and N, and concentration of faecal Lactobacillus, and decreased E. coli counts and excreta NH3 emission in weaning pigs.