Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Volume 7(1), pages 38-45, February 2022 Article Number: 1F081D976 ISSN: 2536-7099 https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2021.282 https://integrityresjournals.org/journal/JASVM Full Length Research Effect of adding varying eubiotic addictive on digestive tract parameters, serum metabolites and growth performance of growing pigs Obongekpe, R. P. Department of Animal Science, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria. Email: obongekperichard2@gmail.com; Tel: +234 8064427425. Copyright © 2022 Obongekpe. This article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Received 5th July, 2021; Accepted 15th August, 2021 ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to determine the combined efficacy of feed additives on growing pigs, performance and digestive tract parameters. The experiment was conducted for 28 days with 48 male piglets allocated to six dietary treatments. Group 1 was offered a diet without eubiotic; 2 – a diet with acids mixture; 3 – phytobiotic, medium- chain fatty acids (MCFA) and yeast; 4 – probiotic, MCFA, and yeast; 5 – phytobiotic, probiotic, acids mixture, and sodium butyrate; 6 – phytobiotic, probiotic, MCFA, and sodium butyrate. The average daily weight gains and feed intake were recorded. Blood samples, digesta samples, and ileal tissue samples were collected for studies. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in weight gain, feed intake, or FCR among the treatments as well as in the ileal and caecal pH value, microbial content, and total SCFA content in caecal digesta as the level of inclusion increases. However, there was a significant difference in treatment condition 2 to 4. Ammonia content in ileal digesta was significantly higher compared to other groups as caecal digesta was significantly higher in group 6 in comparison with groups 1 and 2. Villi height was significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups 2, 3 and 6 compared to the control. Villi height to crypt depth ratio was significantly higher (p<0.05) in groups 5 and 2, but the most promising effects seem to be from combinations 3 and 4. In comparison with control: in groups 2, 3 and 5 higher Alanine transaminase, glucose and triglyceride; in groups 3, 4 and 5 higher total protein and cholesterol; in group 4 higher albumin and in group 6 higher BUN, were found. Generally, it was concluded that; used eubiotic preparations have significant effect on the gut morphology, growth performance, microbiota and some blood parameters but in smaller ration. It was therefore recommended that eubiotic feeds should be included in pigs feed in smaller ration if the desirable effect is to be determined. Keywords: Digestive tract, feed additives, performance, pig. INTRODUCTION Recently, the correct and rapid development of the gastrointestinal tract in piglet has been a major challenge in pig management (Nowak et al., 2018). However, via the process of gastrointestinal development, the proper condition of microflora and villi in the intestine as well as the appropriate pH in its individual parts and also preventing diarrhoea incidents are understood. Due to these findings, an effective strategy for the development of the digestive tract should focus on all these factors and could be realized by using different feed additives. Natural feed additives as probiotics, phytobiotics, or organic and inorganic acids are commonly used in animal nutrition in Europe and are considered as safe. These products, also called “Eubiotics” (Greek “Eubiosis”), affect microbiota balance in the gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbial ecosystem is fundamental in proper activity of immunological system and also for maintaining homeostasis of the pigs (Brestoff and Artis, 2013). According to current knowledge of the host-microbial relationship, strategies including the use of eubiotics may promote animal health and growth. Supplementation of piglet diets with probiotics (and also prebiotics or synbiotics) can increase microbial diversity, which can help to exclude pathogenic microbes (Hill et al., 2014).