Effects of dietary supplementation ofEcklonia cavawith or without probiotics on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity and intestinal health in weanling pigs

The present study investigated the effect of dietary supplementation of Ecklonia cava, probiotics or their combination on the growth performance and gut health in weanling pigs. A total of 240 weaned pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc, 7.04 ± 0.23 kg) were allotted to four treatments. The dietary treatments were basal diet (control) or diet supplemented with 1.5 g/kg Ecklonia cava (EC), 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product (P) or combination of both 1.5 g/kg Ecklonia cava and 3.0 g/kg fermented probiotic product (ECP) fed in meal form for 2 phases. Average daily gain (ADG) was improved consistently in phases I, II and overall result of the experiment for supplemented groups, and feed efficiency was improved (p <0.05) in the PR and EC throughout the experiment. The digestibility of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) was improved (p <0.05) in both phases for PR and EC. The cecal Lactobacillus spp. was increased (p <0.01) for PR and EC while E. coli was decreased (p <0.05) in both supplements. Serum IgG, IgM and IgA were increased (p <0.05) in the EC groups. The interaction between PR and EC was significant for IgG at the second phase as well. The villus height of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was increased (p <0.05) in EC and PR groups, while crypt depth was not affected by the treatments. This suggested that both Ecklonia cava and probiotics are beneficial for weanling pigs; however, there were no interactions.