Figure 1. RB promoted the growth and colonization of the probiotics LGG and EcN in Gn pigs.

Rectal swabs were washed in 4 ml 10% peptone water (10 fold dilution) and additional 10 fold series dilutions from 10² to 10⁴ were prepared and plated on LGG agar plates (LGG counting) or LB agar plates (EcN counting). The plates were incubated at 37 °C incubator for 3 days. Colonies on each plate are then counted and titers calculated. Geometric means of the counts in each group at the specified time points are presented. Error bars are standard error of mean. Filled bars, RB+LGG+EcN group; hatched bars, LGG+EcN group. PPD, post-partum day; PFD, post probiotic feeding starting day. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for comparisons. Different letters indicate significant differences between groups (n  = 10–18; p < 0.05), while shared letters indicate no significant difference.