Effects of inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus on growth performance, serum indicators, and colonic microbiota and metabolism of weaned piglets

To assess the effects of inactivated Lactobacillus rhamnosus (ILR) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, colonic microbiota, and metabolomics in weaned piglets, 120 piglets were randomly divided into five groups. Samples in the control group were fed a basal diet, while the experimental ILR1, ILR2, ILR3, and ILR4 groups were fed basal diets supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% ILR, respectively. The prefeeding period lasted for 5 days and was followed by a formal period of 28 days.