The Administration of Inactivated and Stabilized Whole-Cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Gestating Sows Improves Lactation Efficiency and Post-Weaning Antimicrobial Use

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Interest towards postbiotics and their beneficial effects on animal health and production is increasing in the era of modern pig farming considering the growth of the cost of raw materials, the demand for increasingly performing animals and, at the same time, the need to de-crease the consumption of antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects on the mother and litter of a postbiotic from inactivated and stabilized whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae administered to the sow during gestation, following piglets up to the post-weaning phase. The results suggest that dietary supplementation of inactivated and stabilized whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from yeast culture during the gestation of sows can potentially improve lactation efficiency, mortality of the piglets and antibiotic use during the weaning phase. Results related to the lactation efficiency suggest its possible future role in the so-called “cellular agriculture” that should be investigated. ABSTRACT: Increasingly hyperprolific sows and the need to reduce antibiotics represent challenges in pig farming. The aim of this work was to determine the effects of a postbiotic obtained from inactivated and stabilized whole-cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, administered during the sow’s gestation, on the performance of the mother and litter. Maternal feed intake, productive parameters, colostrum quality and post-weaning piglets’ health were assessed, including antibiotic consumption. The trial involved 183 sows, divided into two groups: (1) sows fed with a daily supplementation of postbiotic during gestation (n = 90); (2) sows without any supplement (n = 93). Piglets were followed up at two different post-weaning sites. The lactation efficiency of the treated sows improved by +5.9% (41.3 ± 11.4 vs. 35.4 ± 11.6%; p = 0.011). Lactating piglets’ mortality was lower in the treated group (25.1 ± 16.7 vs. 28.8 ± 14.4%; p = 0.048). The same tendency was shown in both the weaning sites, together with a reduced antibiotic consumption in weaning site 1 (0.72 ± 0.25 vs. 1.22 ± 0.30 DDDvet/PCU; p = 0.047). The results suggest the role of this postbiotic administered to the mother in improving the health status of the piglets. Furthermore, lactation efficiency is suggested as an interesting parameter for assessing the efficiency of farming.