The effect of lactic acid bacteria on intestinal metabolism and metabolic profile in gnotobiotic pigs.

The effect of inoculation of Lactobacillus casei on selected parameters of metabolic profile and intestinal metabolism of gnotobiotic piglets was investigated during the first three weeks of their life. The experiment was carried out on 8 germ-free piglets. The experimental group was inoculated once a day with the Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei strain. The inoculum contained 1 x 10(8) microorganisms in 1 ml. The control group of piglets received no inoculum. Lactobacillus casei colonized jejunum and ileum in the numbers from 5.63 to 6.06 log 10 cm-2 and their numbers in the jejunal and ileal contents were in the range 8.38-9.87 log 10.ml-1. The daily consumption of milk by the inoculated animals was significantly higher (p < 0.001). The average weight of inoculated piglets at the end of the period investigated was higher by 29.7%. Lactobacillus casei affected several parameters investigated. Piglets inoculated with lactobacilli showed significantly lower (p < 0.05-0.01) values of pH of the jejunal content, numbers of erythrocytes, values of haematocrit, urea, glucose, total lipids, cholesterol and calcium in the serum and significantly higher values (p < 0.05-0.01) of lactic acid in the jejunal content. The values of phagocytic activity and the index of phagocytic activity in the piglets of the experimental group were two to three-fold higher in comparison with those detected in the control group. The application of Lactobacillus casei affected positively the growth of gnotobiotic piglets, their intestinal metabolism, the level of cholesterol in the serum and phagocytic activity.