Aims
To determine the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum I5007 on the redox state of piglets oxidatively stressed with diquat.
Methods and Results
Twenty‐four, 28‐day‐old barrows were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design experiment with the main effects being Lact. fermentum supplementation and diquat challenge. Half of the pigs (n = 12) were orally administered with 20 ml of a solution containing 108 CFU ml−1 of Lact. fermentum each morning of the 21‐day trial, while the remainder received saline. On day 8, these two groups were further subdivided so that half of the pigs in each group (n = 6) were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg kg−1BW diquat, while the remainder received saline. The diquat‐injected pigs had significantly poorer performance and increased levels of plasma cortisol, adrenaline, carbonyl and malondialdehyde. Lactobacillus fermentum supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione and increased the ability to inhibit superoxide anion production in liver and muscle.
Conclusions
Lactobacillus fermentum improved the anti‐oxidative defence system and alleviated damage caused by diquat.
Significance and Impact of the Study
Lactobacillus fermentum has the potential to alleviate oxidative stress and improve weaning pig performance.