Abstract: The present study was conducted to explore the feasibility of using fermented herbal residues (FHR) as dietary additive in sow production.A total of 32 pregnant sows during parity 2-6 were selected and randomly assigned to either control group (n=16) or experimental group (n=16),feeding in pens individually.From Day 90 of pregnancy to Day 28 of postpartum period,sows in control group were fed a basal diet,and those in experiment group were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% FHR.Fresh fecal samples were collected at Days 1,14,and 21 of postpartum period for determining fecal microbe quantity by fluorescent quantitation PCR and metabolites by gas chromatography or high performance liquid chromatography.Results showed that compared with the control group,the quantity of Bifidobacterium spp.and the concentrations of butyrate,isobutyrate,tyramine,and spermidine significantly increased (P<0.05) at Day 1 of postpartum period;the concentration of spermine significantly decreased (P<0.05),while the concentrations of acetate,propionate,isobutyrate,isovalerate,total SCFAs,tyramine,and spermidine significantly increased (P<0.05) at Day 14 of postpartum period;all of the determined parameters did not significantly change (P>0.05) at Day 21 of postpartum period.These findings show that the FHR can improve beneficial microbe quantity,the concentrations of functional SCFAs and bioamines in hindgut of perinatal sows,which is beneficial to gut health of perinatal sows.

Key words: pregnant sows, fermented herbal residue, feces, microbes, metabolites