Yeast as growth promoter in two breeds of growing rabbits with special reference to its economic implications

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical parameters, histological changes in intestinal wall and economic indices in two breeds of weanling rabbits (V-Line and Rex). One-hundred and twenty weaned male rabbits were allotted randomly into four groups in factorial arrangement. The results could be summarized as follows: dietary supplementation of SC signifi cantly accelerated body weight gain (BWG), reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increased profi t. The highest BWG and the lowest FCR were noticed in each breed when interacted with SC. There were non-signifi cant differences in carcass traits due to the studied factors, except in loin and dressing percentages. The highest percentages of loin and dressing were obtained from V-line when fed diet supplemented with SC. The treated rabbits with yeast were characterized by an increase in Brunner`s gland and villi. Dietary Supplementation of SC decreased blood total glycerides and cholesterol and increased blood total protein, albumin and A/G ratio. The treated group showed higher profi tability than the control.Conclusively, dietary supplementation of SC provided benefi cial effects in growth performance and profi tability of rabbits. Finally, dietary supplementation of SC is highly recommended in growing rabbits.

Fructooligosaccharide Supplementation Boosts Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status, and Cecal Microbiota Differently in Two Rabbit Breeds

“…Regarding carcass characteristics, our findings were consistent with those observed by Abd El-Aziz et al [ 1 ], Mahrose et al [ 6 ], and Abo Ghanima et al [ 2 ]. Similarly, Mousa et al [ 11 ] showed that dressing and giblet percentages were significantly higher in the carcasses of rabbits that drank water supplemented with 1 mL Inmunair17.5 ® /litter.…”

“…The beneficial effects of adding FOS to the drinking water of growing rabbits may be due to the augmentation of feed efficiency and absorption, which improves anabolic metabolism, enhances the intestinal response to pathogens, and increases serum protein levels, thereby encouraging rabbit growth [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]. Prebiotics provide suitable environments for the growth of helpful microflora and inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which may explain the improvement in growth performance [ 7 ].…”

“…Improving animal productivity and boosting immunity using natural substances is a primary goal in animal breeding [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Recent studies have shown that immunostimulants, such as probiotics and prebiotics, have the potential to be used as protective and environment-friendly substitutions to antibiotics in mammals and poultry species [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are considered the popular forms of prebiotics that consist of short-chain and undigested carbohydrates [ 9 , 15 ] because the β-linkages between fructose monomers cannot be hydrolyzed by the endogenous enzymes [ 16 ]. FOS is derived from the cell wall of the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , and has been reported to possess the ability to improve growth performance, decrease pathogenic bacterial count, and enhance immunity in two different rabbit breeds (New Zealand White and V-line rabbits) [ 1 ].…”

“…FOS may accelerate the gut fermentation of beneficial microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , and reduce the accumulation of pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli [ 15 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], thus enhancing the general health of animals [ 1 , 6 , 17 ]. Therefore, FOS is considered to be a prebiotic [ 20 ].…”