Effects of low-dose organic trace minerals on performance, mineral status, and fecal mineral excretion of sows

Objective This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with Pediococcus acidilactici ZPA017 as a probiotic on reproductive performance, fecal microbial flora and serum indices in sows during late gestation and lactation. Methods A total of 94 sows (Large White × Yorkshire, average 4.50 parities) were randomly allotted to two dietary treatments: control diet and the diet supplemented with P. acidilactici ZPA017 (2.40×109 CFU/kg of diets). The study started at d 90 of gestation and conducted until d 28 of lactation. Results Compared to sows fed the control diet, supplementation of P. acidilactici ZPA017 increased the number of weaning piglets, weaning weight of litter and piglets, survival rate of piglets at weaning (p