Across 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus plantarum UALp-05M on improved growth performance, with 3 studies reaching statistical significance. Effect sizes were predominantly large. Studies were conducted in broiler chickens, weaning pigs, young piglets, and juvenile fish; no consistent dose or duration data were available.
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Evidence base is small (only 4 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. All studies were conducted in livestock or aquaculture species, not humans, so relevance to human growth is uncertain.
Experiment 1 showed that L. plantarum B1 enhanced broiler average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR).
The ADG of PC, T2, and T3 were greater (P = 0.001) than that of CON, NC, and T1 during wk 1 to wk 2... The overall ADG of PC and T3 were greater (P < 0.001) than the remaining groups.
Before and after ETEC K88 challenge, piglets fed L. plantarum had greater BW, ADG, and ADFI (P < 0.05) and marginally greater G:F (P < 0.10) compared to piglets fed the unsupplemented diet.
Results showed that administration of VSG3 for 60 days had significant effects (P < 0.05) on the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed utilization efficiency of L. rohita.