We investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of lactic acid bacteria on the immune and antioxidant performance of weaned pigs. A total of 128 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire piglets weaned on day 28 with an average body weight of 8.95 ± 1.15 kg were selected and randomly divided into four treatment groups according to body weight and sex for a 28-day study. The four dietary treatments were basal diet (CON), and CON with 0.05% (LJ0.05), 0.1% (LJ0.1), and 0.2% (LJ0.2) Lactobacillus johnsonii RS-7, respectively. The lowest feed-to-gain ratio (F:G) was found when LJ0.1 was added to the diet. The addition of compound lactic acid bacteria to the diet increased the concentrations of TP, ALB, IgA, and IgM on day 14 and IgG, IgA, and IgM on day 28 (p < 0.05) in the blood, with trait values greater for pigs fed LJ0.1 than CON pigs (p < 0.05). Concentrations of antioxidants (CAT, T-AOC, MDA, T-SOD, and GSH) in serum, intestinal mucosa, spleen, liver, and pancreas improved. In summary, dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus johnsonii RS-7 improved the antioxidant and immune function of weaned piglets.
Keywords: Lactobacillus johnsonii RS-7; antioxidant; immune; weaned piglets.