Transition of the probiotic bacteria, Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, in the gastrointestinal tract of a pig.

The transition of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus in the gastrointestinal tract was investigated in pigs that received commercially available fermented milk prepared with Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LCS). Three female pigs fistulated at the cecum were fed 130 ml of fermented milk that contained over 10(10) (cfu) LCS with their daily meal for 8 days. Cecal contents were sampled through a fistula every 2 h for 24 h after marker dosing. The viable cell number (log cfu/g) of LCS and the concentrations of transit markers in each sample were determined. The viable number of LCS cells ranged from 3.56 to 6.58. The number of LCS in the cecum was not stable in pigs and varied with the flow of the cecal content. The viable number of LCS cells was significantly correlated with the relative concentration of the marker. These results indicated that most LCS moved with the liquid component. The level of LCS reached the maximum (6.38) 6 h after dosing. Four doses every 6 h may be required to maintain the maximum level of LCS at the cecum.