Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial

Background and Aim: Low birth weight and within-litter variations are major challenges in swine production, often exacerbated by highly prolific sow lines. Nutritional interventions such as amino acid and probiotic supplementation have shown promise, but their combined effects remain unexplored. Thi...

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Main Authors: Thepsavanh Khoudphaithoune, Do Thi Kim Lanh, Nguyen Van Thanh, Bui Van Dung, Peerapol Sukon, Nguyen Hoai Nam
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Veterinary World 2025-07-01
Series:Veterinary World
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Online Access:https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/July-2025/29.pdf
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author Thepsavanh Khoudphaithoune
Do Thi Kim Lanh
Nguyen Van Thanh
Bui Van Dung
Peerapol Sukon
Nguyen Hoai Nam
author_facet Thepsavanh Khoudphaithoune
Do Thi Kim Lanh
Nguyen Van Thanh
Bui Van Dung
Peerapol Sukon
Nguyen Hoai Nam
author_sort Thepsavanh Khoudphaithoune
collection DOAJ
description Background and Aim: Low birth weight and within-litter variations are major challenges in swine production, often exacerbated by highly prolific sow lines. Nutritional interventions such as amino acid and probiotic supplementation have shown promise, but their combined effects remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in sows. Materials and Methods: A randomized trial was conducted on 247 Landrace × Yorkshire sows allocated to four dietary groups from day 85 of gestation to farrowing: (1) Basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + B. subtilis, (3) basal diet + L-arginine, and (4) basal diet + both supplements. Reproductive outcomes–including individual birth weight (IBW), total litter birth weight (TBW), born-alive birth weight (NBABW), proportion of runt (<1.1 kg) and large piglets (>1.5 kg), and within-litter coefficient of variation in birth weight [CVBW])–were assessed. Linear and generalized linear mixed models were used for analysis. Results: Co-supplementation with B. subtilis and L-arginine significantly increased IBW (1434.7 g vs. 1310.0 g, p < 0.001), TBW (19.6 kg vs. 16.9 kg, p < 0.001), NBABW (18.1 kg vs. 15.9 kg, p = 0.006), and the proportion of large piglets (33.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.0002), while reducing runt piglet incidence (4.0% vs. 14.4%, p < 0.001). Neither supplement alone produced significant improvements. No treatment significantly affected litter size, CVBW, stillbirth, or mummification rates. Conclusion: Co-supplementation of sows with B. subtilis and L-arginine during late gestation produces synergistic impro-vements in piglet birth weight and litter quality. This strategy offers a practical and cost-effective approach to enhance swine reproductive efficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-fbd8f2cb6a244fffb8d104b6723497992025-08-20T03:58:35ZengVeterinary WorldVeterinary World0972-89882231-09162025-07-011872087209410.14202/vetworld.2025.2087-2094Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trialThepsavanh Khoudphaithoune0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2385-0274Do Thi Kim Lanh1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6796-2883Nguyen Van Thanh2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4862-7067Bui Van Dung3https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4044-8130Peerapol Sukon4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0899-2572Nguyen Hoai Nam5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2110-0006Department of Animal Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.Department of Animal Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.Department of Animal Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.Department of Animal Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. 123 Moo 16 Mittraphap Rd., Nai-Muang, Muang District, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand; Research Group for Animal Health Technology, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. 123 Moo 16 Mittraphap Rd., Nai-Muang, Muang District, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand.Department of Animal Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.Background and Aim: Low birth weight and within-litter variations are major challenges in swine production, often exacerbated by highly prolific sow lines. Nutritional interventions such as amino acid and probiotic supplementation have shown promise, but their combined effects remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in sows. Materials and Methods: A randomized trial was conducted on 247 Landrace × Yorkshire sows allocated to four dietary groups from day 85 of gestation to farrowing: (1) Basal diet (control), (2) basal diet + B. subtilis, (3) basal diet + L-arginine, and (4) basal diet + both supplements. Reproductive outcomes–including individual birth weight (IBW), total litter birth weight (TBW), born-alive birth weight (NBABW), proportion of runt (<1.1 kg) and large piglets (>1.5 kg), and within-litter coefficient of variation in birth weight [CVBW])–were assessed. Linear and generalized linear mixed models were used for analysis. Results: Co-supplementation with B. subtilis and L-arginine significantly increased IBW (1434.7 g vs. 1310.0 g, p < 0.001), TBW (19.6 kg vs. 16.9 kg, p < 0.001), NBABW (18.1 kg vs. 15.9 kg, p = 0.006), and the proportion of large piglets (33.7% vs. 19.5%, p = 0.0002), while reducing runt piglet incidence (4.0% vs. 14.4%, p < 0.001). Neither supplement alone produced significant improvements. No treatment significantly affected litter size, CVBW, stillbirth, or mummification rates. Conclusion: Co-supplementation of sows with B. subtilis and L-arginine during late gestation produces synergistic impro-vements in piglet birth weight and litter quality. This strategy offers a practical and cost-effective approach to enhance swine reproductive efficiency.https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/July-2025/29.pdfamino acid supplementationbacillus subtilisl-argininepiglet birth weightprobioticsreproductive perf-ormancesow nutrition
spellingShingle Thepsavanh Khoudphaithoune
Do Thi Kim Lanh
Nguyen Van Thanh
Bui Van Dung
Peerapol Sukon
Nguyen Hoai Nam
Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
Veterinary World
amino acid supplementation
bacillus subtilis
l-arginine
piglet birth weight
probiotics
reproductive perf-ormance
sow nutrition
title Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
title_full Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
title_short Synergistic effects of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 and L-arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in Landrace × Yorkshire sows: A randomized controlled trial
title_sort synergistic effects of bacillus subtilis qst 713 and l arginine supplementation during late gestation on reproductive performance in landrace yorkshire sows a randomized controlled trial
topic amino acid supplementation
bacillus subtilis
l-arginine
piglet birth weight
probiotics
reproductive perf-ormance
sow nutrition
url https://www.veterinaryworld.org/Vol.18/July-2025/29.pdf
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