Effect of feeding Bacillus subtilis on intestinal bloat and microbiological structure in sows infected with Clostridium perfringens type A

Abstract Bacillus subtilis is aerobic or facultatively anaerobic.After entering the gastrointestinal tract, spores colonize the gut, inhibiting the growth of harmful aerobic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus).However, it is not clear whether Bacillus subtilis can inhibit Clostridium perfringens type A infection. In this study, Bacillus subtilis PB6 was added to the diets of Clostridium perfringens type A-infected pregnant sows, that it significantly improves the reproductive performance of sows and reduces the incidence of bloat in sows and diarrhea in newborn piglets. Significantly increased the abundance of intestinal probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus reuteri) in sows and decreased the relative abundance of Clostridium perfringens type A after feeding Bacillus subtilis. These probiotics can repair the intestinal tissue histomorphology and structure and enhance the expression of MUC2 and sIgA in sows, further strengthening the mucosal immune function of the intestine. Bacillus subtilis can also reduce inflammatory factors(CRP, IL-1β, and IFN-ɤ) levels and the inflammatory response in sows and newborn piglets. Taken together, our results suggest that dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis PB6 could benefit the sow bloat and piglets diarrhea, and improve intestinal barrier function, and microbial balance of sows.