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

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation in drinking water on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and cecal microbiota of New Zealand White (NZW) and APRI rabbits. A total of 180 male NZW and APRI rabbits (aged five weeks; average live body weight 700 ± 39 g) were divided into six groups (30 rabbits/group; 5 replicates/group) in a two × three factorial arrangement. Rabbits of each breed were randomly assigned to one of three treatments of FOS (control; 0.00, FOS-0.5, and FOS-1.0). Results showed that rabbits’ final body weight, FBWG, and carcass traits were considerably enhanced compared to those in the control group. The interaction effect of the supplement with the rabbit breed increased the growth, carcass traits, and hematobiochemical and antioxidant parameters with increasing FOS levels. In the cecum of both rabbit breeds, the total bacterial count and Escherichiacoli population were considerably low, with a substantial increase in the number of Lactobacilli supplemented by FOS. In conclusion, FOS supplementation enhanced growth and carcass traits by improving the hematobiochemical parameters and antioxidant status and reducing cecal pathogenic bacteria in both breeds.

Impact of bee venom supplement on productive performance, health status and economics of weaned male rabbits: Considering breed and dosage factors

“…Accordingly, using automated drinking devices, BV treatments commenced by providing 200 mL of BV‐infused drinking water to each cage. This approach aligns with methods employed by earlier researchers (Abd El‐Aziz, Abo Ghanima, et al, 2022; Pogány Simonová et al, 2022) who introduced additives into the drinking water of young rabbits using similar techniques. Following the provision of water with different BV concentrations (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/L), rabbits were allowed unrestricted access to untreated drinking water.…”

“…These weights were subsequently subtracted from the initially provided quantities to determine the precise amount of feed consumed. The feed intake (FI), BW, body weight gain (BWG) and FCR were assessed according to the methodology outlined in a previous study by Abd El‐Aziz, Abo Ghanima et al (2022).…”

“…Rabbit production holds significant importance in the livestock industry, with a strong emphasis on achieving optimal growth performance and desirable carcass traits (Abd El‐Aziz, Abo Ghanima, et al, 2022; Abd El‐Aziz, El‐Kasrawy, et al, 2022; El‐Aziz et al, 2019). In the agricultural sector, including poultry and rabbit farming, antimicrobial agents have been extensively utilized to promote animal health.…”

Ramifications of Heat Stress on Rabbit Production and Role of Nutraceuticals in Alleviating Its Negative Impacts: An Updated Review

“…Dietary Zn supplementation was proven to benefit the growth performance of fattening rabbits under HS conditions [16,111,112]. Under HS conditions, the dietary inclusion of ZnO (100 mg/kg; [112]) or nano-Zn (20,40,60, and 80 mg/kg; [16]) improved BW, BWG, FI, and FCR in growing rabbits. Similarly, Kamel et al [111] observed that different dietary Zn sources (50 mg ZnO/kg diet or 30 mg nano-Zn/kg diet) enhanced the final BW, BWG, and FCR in growing rabbits who suffered from HS.…”

“…Several dietary supplements-including vitamins, minerals, and enzymes-are already utilized to preserve the normal physiological status, support immunological responsiveness, and improve rabbit productivity in thermo-neutral and HS circumstances [14][15][16][17]. It has been suggested that probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and organic acids could replace antibiotic growth enhancers in rabbit production because they promote a healthy intestinal environment [18][19][20][21]. Furthermore, phytobiotics or phytogenics are being utilized more frequently in rabbit nutrition as antioxidants, physiological stimulants, flavorings, digestive aids, and colorants, and for protecting and treating different pathological troubles [22][23][24].…”