Evaluation of Lactobacillus plantarum in large intestine of piglets by transmission microscopy and blood chemistry

Objective. To evaluate the presence of Lactobacillus plantarum in large intestine of piglets. Materials and methods. Fifty piglets were randomly allocated into 5 (n=10) treatment groups (T0: without probiotics; T1:with L. plantarum 1 H1; T2:with L. plantarum 1 H2; T3: with commercial probiotics; T4:without commercial probiotics). After treatment, 3 piglets, from each group, were randomly selected and large intestine samples were taken and analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and serum for blood chemistry. The determination of immunoglobulin A (IgA) was made by turbidimetric method; and the total cholesterol and blood ureic nitrogen (BUN) by espectrophotometry. The differential leukocyte count and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was examined in blood smears. Results. Adhesion of L. plantarum 1 H1 and L. plantarum 1 H2 was found in the mucosa of the large piglet intestine. Was observed secretion of mucin, and inflammation in the lamina propria and connective tissue edema as part of the immune response. IgA showed high concentrations in T2 (L. plantarum 1 H1, 333 mg/100 ML) and T3 (L. plantarum 1 H2, 300 mg/100 mL). The T2 and T3 values in polymorphonuclear neutrophils were elevated (65% and 55% respectively). Total cholesterol was lower in T2 (113.83%) and T3 (93.8%). T2 and T3 showed the lowest BUN values (7.83 and 8.76 mg% respectively). Conclusions. The use of probiotics with L. plantarum 1 added in the ration showed a positive effect in the colonization and adhesion in the large intestine, as well as, a positive response in their immune system.