Effect of feeding propionibacteria on lactating animal performance

The term ¿probiotic¿ comes from the Greek words ¿prö (in favor) and ¿biotic¿ (life). The term ¿probiotic¿ has been defined by as ¿a live microbial feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance¿. Recently, probiotics play a rumen modifiers role to improve microbial conditions in the rumen. Propionibacteria is one of probiotic which is natural inhabitants of the rumen that make up 1.4% of ruminal microflora and produce propionate, a major precursor for glucose production by hepatic gluconeogenesis and thus directly feeding propionibacteria may be a natural way to increase hepatic glucose production and positively influence metabolism and production.