BioZyme Inc. recently introduced AO-Biotics, a natural feed additive, through Imunabiotics, BioZyme’s new swine and poultry supplement brand.

AO-Biotics was created from a proprietary strain of Aspergillus oryzae through a unique, multistep fermentation process, and acts as a probiotic. Research has proven that it aids to support gut health and performance in weaning piglets and sows.

“We know through research that a swine’s gut represents much more than just digestion. Up to 70 percent of all the cells that make up the swine immune system are housed in its gut,” said Bill Bayless, Director of Commercial Sales at BioZyme. “The gut is the largest immune regulator and endocrine organ in the animal, making its health and proper functioning valuable to the animal’s viability and performance.”

The stress imposed on piglets during weaning is often accompanied by changes in gastrointestinal physiology, microbiology and immunology, and often leads to nutrient indigestion and intestinal upsets causing diarrhea, depression of growth and even death.

In a recent study from the University of Kiel in Germany, early-weaned piglets fed AO-Biotics exhibited the following results compared to the control group:

Increased growth homogeneity (1st week postweaning)
Increased average daily gain
Reduced gut leakiness
Reduced diarrhea (1st week postweaning)
Increased absorptive capacity of the gut
Increased water intake

Maintaining a healthy digestive system in sows is another way to assist piglet health, and maintaining a healthy GI tract in sows with stable microbiota is key to sufficient feed intake and colostrum production.

Another research trial conducted by Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, found the following improved performance traits from sows fed AO-Biotics:

More late lactation
Greater number of piglets weaned
Higher feed intake in week 2 and 3 of lactation
More total pounds weaned

“Sows fed AO-Biotics and control females, which were not fed AO-Biotics, were allowed to nurse the same number of piglets, however, by day seven, AO-Biotics females tended to have larger litter sizes to nurse,” said Bayless regarding the trial results. “At day 14 and at weaning, the difference in piglets per litter in terms of average daily gain and final weight statistically favored the sows fed AO-Biotics.”