| L. sporogenes as A veterinary probiotic The effects of L.
sporogenes on the growth performance and changes in microbial flora of the feces
and intestinal contents of broiler chicks were investigated. It
was found that body weight gain of chicks fed L. sporogenes at the level of 0.04%
was significantly higher than that of the control. Feed efficiency was remarkably improved
by the addition of L. sporogenes at the level of 0.04% and Zn-bacitracin at the
0.05% level. The L. sporogenes fed group showed better feed efficiency. Intestinal
pH was reduced and fecal ammonia concentrations were slightly reduced. In feces, L.
sporogenes and lactobacilli counts were increased and staphylococci and coliforms
reduced by the addition of L. sporogenes .
The recommended
dosages of probiotic L. sporogenes are as follows68:
| Animal species |
Recommended dosage |
| Chicks |
1 -
2 million spores (0.07-0.14 mg LACTOSPOREÒ) |
| Growers |
3 -
6 million spores (0.21-0.42 mg LACTOSPOREÒ)
|
| Layers/broilers |
6 -
12 million spores (0.42-0.84 mg LACTOSPOREÒ)
|
| Pups |
30 -
60 million spores (2.1-4.2 mg LACTOSPOREÒ)
|
| Dogs |
100
- 200 million spores (7-14 mg LACTOSPOREÒ)
|
| Sheep,
goats, calves |
300
- 400 million spores (21-28 mg LACTOSPOREÒ)
|
| Cattle
and horses |
800-1000
million spores (56-70 mg LACTOSPOREÒ) |
|