Skip to main content
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Evidence-Based Supplement Research
Pillser
Search
Sign UpLog In

Dietary Bacillus subtilis PB6 Enhances Reproductive Performance by Modulating Gut Microbiota, Barrier Function, and Inflammation in Clostridium perfringens Type A-Infected Sows.

  • 2026-03-27
  • Animals : an open access journal from MDPI 16(7)
    • Mengran Zhang
    • Aohang Yu
    • Chihao Wang
    • Chaojie Chen
    • Chenchen Wu

Study Design

Population
pregnant sows infected with Clostridium perfringens type A
Methods
B. subtilis PB6 was added to the diets of pregnant sows infected with Clostridium perfringens type A
Bacillus subtilis is aerobic or facultatively anaerobic. After entering the gastrointestinal tract, its spores germinate and colonize the gut, inhibiting the growth of harmful aerobic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus). However, it remains unclear whether B. subtilis can inhibit Clostridium perfringens type A infection. In this study, B. subtilis PB6 was added to the diets of pregnant sows infected with Clostridium perfringens type A, which significantly improved the reproductive performance and reduced the incidence of bloat in sows and diarrhea in neonatal piglets. The treatment significantly increased the abundance of intestinal probiotics (B. subtilis, Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus reuteri) in sows and decreased the relative abundance of Clostridium perfringens type A after feeding B. subtilis administration. These probiotics can repair the intestinal tissue and improve intestinal histomorphology, and enhance the expression of MUC2 and sIgA in sows, thereby further strengthening the mucosal immune function. B. subtilis can also reduce the levels of inflammatory factors (CRP, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and attenuate the inflammatory response in sows and neonatal piglets. Taken together, our results suggest that dietary supplementation with B. subtilis PB6 could reduce bloat in sows and diarrhea in piglets while improving intestinal barrier function and microbial balance in sows.

Research Insights

  • Lactobacillus amylovorus→Improved Gut Microbiota Balance

    The treatment significantly increased the abundance of intestinal probiotics (B. subtilis, Lactobacillus, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus amylovorus, and Lactobacillus reuteri) in sows and decreased the relative abundance of Clostridium perfringens type A after feeding B. subtilis administration.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Lactobacillus amylovorus→Improved Intestinal Barrier Function

    These probiotics can repair the intestinal tissue and improve intestinal histomorphology, and enhance the expression of MUC2 and sIgA in sows, thereby further strengthening the mucosal immune function.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
  • Lactobacillus amylovorus→Reduced Inflammation

    B. subtilis can also reduce the levels of inflammatory factors (CRP, IL-1β, and IFN-γ) and attenuate the inflammatory response in sows and neonatal piglets.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
Back to top