Influence of Enterococcus faecium with and without xylanase to corn and soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, and faecal microflora in growing pigs

Abstract

A total of 120 pigs [Duroc × (Yorkshire × Landrace)], with an average BW of 25.22 ± 1.88 kg, were randomly allotted to 4 experimental diets based on initial BW and sex (six replicate pens/treatment; 5 pigs/pen) to determine the effects of Enterococcus faecium (EF) with and without xylanase in growing pigs. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Dietary treatments included CON, basal diet; EF1, CON + 0.002% (EF); EF2, CON + 0.005% EF; EX, CON + 0.002% EF + 0.01% Xylanase. During the overall study, pigs fed EX diet increased ADG and G:F compared to pigs fed CON and EF1 diets (P<0.05). Pigs fed EF2 and EX diets had a greater (P<0.05) energy digestibility and Lactobacillus counts than pigs fed CON diet. Pigs fed EX diet decreased creatinine concentrations in the blood and E. coli concentrations compared to pigs fed CON diet (P<0.05) at 6th week. In conclusion, supplementation of growing pigs diet with a combination of EF and xylanase improved performance, nutrient digestibility and faecal Lactobacillus counts and reduced faecal E. coli counts in growing pigs.