The effect of a supplement of potassium formate and/or probiotic to the feed on the protection of piglets gastrointestinal tract against the negative effects of pathogenic bacteria

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of potassium formate and/or probiotics in feed on intestinal microflora stability, gastrointestinal tissue histomorphometry, enzyme activity, and the growth of piglets. Animals in each group were kept in pens consisting of 6 litters per group. Piglets received: control (no supplement), D1 (potassium formate), and D2 (potassium formate and probiotic). Feed additives had a positive effect on piglet rearing traits, including final body weight (D2: 22.75 kg vs. D1: 20.26 kg and control: 18.96 kg). Histomorphometric analysis revealed wider ileum intestine crypts in the D1 group compared to the other groups (P = 0.048). The additives reduced acetic acid levels in D1 and D2 (48.04 and 42.02 mmol/kg vs. 63.10 mmol/kg) and increased propionic acid (23.80 mmol/kg in control to 30.27 and 33.18 mmol/kg in D1 and D2). Significant increases were also noted in butyric (9.95 vs. 16.88 and 18.98 mmol/kg, P = 0.014) and isobutyric acid levels (0.45 vs. 1.14 and 2.00 mmol/kg, P = 0.024). Jejunum saccharase and aminopeptidase N activity were significantly higher in the experimental groups, while HPT and CRP protein levels were higher in the control (19.77 vs. 16.37 and 14.22 ng/ml; 4.99 vs. 2.91 and 2.67 ng/ml, respectively). IgG content was also greater in the control group (1.945 mg/ml) compared to D1 (1.381 mg/ml) and D2 (1.432 mg/ml). The simultaneous use of potassium formate or potassium formate with a probiotic shows a great positive influence on status of health in the pre-weaning period of piglets.