The Role of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics in Animal Nutrition

Overview

Journal Gut Pathog

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2018 Jun 23

PMID 29930711

Citations 178

Authors

Paulina Markowiak

Katarzyna Slizewska

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Along with the intensive development of methods of livestock breeding, breeders' expectations are growing concerning feed additives that would guarantee such results as accelerating growth rate, protection of health from pathogenic infections and improvement of other production parameters such as: absorption of feed and quality of meat, milk, eggs. The main reason for their application would be a strive to achieve some beneficial effects comparable to those of antibiotic-based growth stimulators, banned on 01 January 2006. High hopes are being associated with the use of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Used mainly for maintenance of the equilibrium of the intestinal microbiota of livestock, they turn out to be an effective method in fight against pathogens posing a threat for both animals and consumers. This paper discusses definitions of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Criteria that have to be met by those kinds of formulas are also presented. The paper offers a list of the most commonly used probiotics and prebiotics and some examples of their combinations in synbiotic formulas used in animal feeding. Examples of available study results on the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics on animal health are also summarised.

Citing Articles

Effects of maternal-offspring supplementation of probiotics and synbiotics on the immunity of offspring Bama mini-pigs.

Ding S, Ye T, Azad M, Zhu Q, Liu Y, Tan B Front Immunol. 2025; 16:1507080.

PMID: 40018037 PMC: 11864950. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1507080.

Evaluation of the techno-functional properties of lactobacilli strains originated from Bos indicus and Bubalus bubalis calves for probiotic potential.

Kumar S, Chauhan N, Chauhan T, Balaga S, Tyagi N, Samanta A Int Microbiol. 2025; .

PMID: 39982624 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-025-00641-y.

Application of Genomic Selection in Beef Cattle Disease Prevention.

Kasimanickam R, Ferreira J, Kastelic J, Kasimanickam V Animals (Basel). 2025; 15(2).

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Utilization of mannan oligosaccharides as antibiotic substitutes in laying hens.

Sanmiguel Plazas R, Barreto-Cruz O, Javierre J, Mogollon Vergara D, Leon Miranda M, Sosa Vargas M Vet Res Forum. 2025; 15(12):645-650.

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Probiotics beyond the farm: Benefits, costs, and considerations of using antibiotic alternatives in livestock.

Leistikow K, Beattie R, Hristova K Front Antibiot. 2025; 1():1003912.

PMID: 39816405 PMC: 11732145. DOI: 10.3389/frabi.2022.1003912.

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