EFFECT OF A BOVINE COLOSTRUM WHEY SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, FAECAL ESCHERICHIA COLI POPULATION AND SYSTEMIC IMMUNE RESPONSE OF PIGLETS AT WEANING

摘要

At weaning, the piglet is exposed to many stressors inducing marked structural and immunological changes in the gut, leaving the piglet more susceptible to overgrowth of potentially disease-causing pathogenic bacteria. This critical period has been controlled over decades by using in-feed antibiotics showing growth promoter properties. However, their total ban in the EU since January 2006 requires alternative solutions. In this context, the objective of this work was to study further the action of bovine colostrum in the piglet through the investigation of the effect of bovine colostrum whey supplementation in weaning diet (20 g/kg) on growth performances, feed intake and the systemic immune response of piglets at weaning. Faecal E. coli counts werealso performed to follow the sanitary status of the piglets.