Alternative Strategies to Antibiotic Use in the Post-Weaning Period of Pigs Under Intensive Production Systems

• Yadira Navas Technical University of Ambato https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7187-1579
• Gonzalo Aragadvay-Yungán Technical University of Ambato https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7794-7775
• Carlos Vásquez Technical University of Ambato https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8214-3632

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18210603

Keywords: Disease control, Production, Public health, Therapy

Abstract

A comprehensive review was conducted on alternative strategies to antibiotic use to promote animal health during post-weaning in swine production. A bibliometric analysis was performed on articles published in Scopus and Web of Science between 2000 and 2025, using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix. The notable increase in publications over the past five years underscores the growing relevance of alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, and phytobiotics. Probiotics have demonstrated effectiveness in restoring microbial balance, enhancing the integrity of the intestinal barrier, and modulating immune responses. Prebiotics support the proliferation of beneficial bacteria and stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids. Phytobiotics contribute to improved growth performance and intestinal health due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, these alternative strategies still face several challenges, including variability in phytobiotic composition and the lack of standardized dosages and formulations of bioactive compounds. Advancing the development and implementation of these alternatives is essential to reduce antimicrobial use in animal feed, improve animal welfare, and transition toward more sustainable swine production systems.

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