Development of intestinal lactobacilli in normal piglets

The development of intestinal Lactobacillus spp. in 18 normal piglets from six litters was investigated from 1 to 45 d after birth. Faecal Lactobacillus strains isolated from piglets and their dams were identified at species and biovar levels on the basis of carbohydrate fermentation. A definite pattern was observed in the changes of four species and 20 biovars of lactobacilli appearing in faeces, with growth of the piglets. Lactobacillus reuteri colonized the animals on the first day of birth. The Lact. acidophilus group appeared 1 week after birth and maintained high levels in the intestine. Biovars B, C and E of Lact. reuteri were recovered as major biovars on the first to fourteenth days after birth. In the third and fourth weeks after birth, however, biovars F and G of Lact. reuteri were mainly recovered from piglet faeces. By the seventh week, biovars B, C and E predominated again in the intestine. No change in the composition of species and biovars of the genus Lactobacillus in the dams was detected.