Evaluation of Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 and Clostridium butyricum probiotic supplements in post-weaning rabbits reared under thermal stress conditions

Abstract

An 8-week feeding experiment was designed to examine the influences of single or/and double strains of probiotic compared to antibiotic colistin on growth, hematological variables, blood serum metabolites and caecal fermentation in post-weaning rabbits exposed to heat stress conditions. A total of one hundred (35-day-old; average initial body weights 694 ± 7.33) New Zealand White rabbits were distributed into five groups. The experimental groups were the basal diet (control), or basal diet fortified with 120 mg colistin (COL); 5 Â 10 6 cfu Clostridium butyricum (CB); 2 Â 10 8 cfu Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 (EF); or 2.5 Â 10 6 cfu C. butyricum þ 1 Â 10 8 cfu E. faecium/kg diet (CB þ EF). The results demonstrated that both the EF and CB þ EF treatments enhanced (p < .05) final body weight and overall feed conversion ratio compared to control and COL treatment. The carcase yield percentage and relative organs weight were insignificantly affected in all treated groups. The COL treatment increased (p < .05) mean corpuscular volume and albumin/globulin ratio compared to the control group. Compared to the control, all probiotic and COL groups decreased (p < .05) serum total triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein. The concentrations of Serum total protein, globulin, highdensity lipoprotein, complement component 3, and lysozyme activity were higher (p < .05) in probiotic groups than those in the control group. Probiotic application improved the caecal total volatile fatty acids, propionate concentrations, and intestinal histomorphometry parameters. In conclusion, EF and CB þ EF probiotic supplements could be used as alternatives to antibiotic colistin to enhance the growth and health of weaned rabbits under heat stress conditions. HIGHLIGHTSTwo strains of probiotics as alternatives to antibiotics were studied in rabbits under heat stress conditions. Supplemental EF and CB þ EF probiotic enhanced rabbit growth and feed utilisation. Probiotic application improved biochemical and immunological indicators. The application of the tested probiotics improved the caecal volatile fatty acids production and the intestinal histomorphometry parameters. EF and CB þ EF probiotic supplements could be used as an alternative to antibiotics to promote the growth of rabbits under heat stress conditions.

Comparison of the effects of probiotic-based formulations on growth, feed utilization, blood constituents, cecal fermentation, and duodenal morphology of rabbits reared under hot environmental conditions

“…These findings were indicative of increased fermentation activity and cecal microbial production, better intestinal health, and high nitrogen retention. These results are in agreement with previous studies investigating the effects of adding EF, CB, or both to the diet of pigs (Wang et al, 2019), broiler chickens (Han et al, 2018), and broiler rabbits (Bassiony et al, 2021). Additionally, Cao et al (2019) found that CB-based probiotic supplementation of weaned piglets' diet stimulates propionic and butyric acid production in the colon.…”

“…Additionally, serum total protein and globulin concentrations were increased in probiotic-fed rabbits, especially in those given a EF and yeast-containing diet. Bassiony et al (2021) reported the same response in rabbits that received EF and/or CB-supplemented diets. The present data suggested that supplemental probiotic strains influence protein metabolism (El-Shafei et al, 2019).…”

“…Additionally, the enhanced growth and feed efficiency might be attributed to the improved intestinal morphology as rabbits given EF and CB presented increased villi height and decreased CD and to a better intestinal microbial balance, resulting in better feed digestion and absorption. Indeed, Bassiony et al (2021) found enhanced growth performance in rabbits fed EF or EF and CB and linked this response to the improvement in the intestinal mucosa's structure, which consequently promotes nutrient absorption (Samli et al, 2007). Pogány Simonová et al (2020b) also found that the administration of E. faecium EF9a in drinking water (1.0 × 109 cfu/mL in 500 µL/d/animal) of rabbits resulted in higher final body weight at 77 days of age and greater average daily WG compared with those of control rabbits.…”

“…Yeast was a commercial product (10 × 10 9 cells/g; Levitan, Dox-al Italia S.P.A., Italy). The doses utilized in the present study were based on earlier studies (Bassiony et al 2021;Belhassen et al, 2016).…”

Influence of Three Probiotics Strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis BB-12 and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 on the Biochemical and Haematological Profiles and Body Weight of Healthy Rabbits

“…The promoting of the risk of the resistance of bacteria towards antibiotics, and because of consumer demands for animal products without antibiotics, resulted in the agricultural industry using animal growth promoters in animals production intended for feeding. In a recent study by Bassiony et al [ 92 ], an 8-week feeding experiment examined the influences of single or/and double strains of probiotics ( Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 and Clostridium butyricum ) compared to antibiotic colistin on growth, haematological variables, blood serum metabolites and caecal fermentation in post-weaning New Zealand White rabbits exposed to heat stress conditions. The authors demonstrated that the supplemental Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 and Enterococcus faecium NCIMB 11181 and Clostridium butyricum together enhanced rabbit growth and feed utilisation, while improving biochemical and immunological indicators.…”