In the second trial, 36 piglets in six pens were studied using the same experimental treatments
but with focus on the changes of ileal, cecal and faecal microbiota of piglets. The probiotic
increased the counts (plate culturing in MRS Agar) of lactobacilli in ileum, caecum and faeces
(7.9×106 vs. 5.9×105; Pb0.05; 5.0×107 vs. 3.1×107; Pb0.12 and 3.9×107 vs. 5.0×106; Pb0.05,
respectively) and reduced the number (plate culturing in MacConkey Agar) of coliforms at the
ileum level (1.2×105 vs. 1.3×106 Pb0.01).
Therefore, it can be concluded that the addition of E. faecium CECT 4515 at a dosage of 106 CFU/
g to the diet of piglets improves their intestinal microbiota balance and promotes an easier
transition to solid feed, as indicated by the improved growth and feed conversion that the
animals achieved after weaning.