The Effect of Lactobacillus isolates on growth performance, immune response, intestinal bacterial community composition of growing Rex Rabbits

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus isolates on intestinal bacterial community composition of growing Rex Rabbits. A total of 120 weaned Rex Rabbits (30 days old, 30 per group) were used for the experiment, which started after an adaptation period of 7 days. The control group was fed with basal diet only, while the treatment I, II and III groups were fed with basal diet adding antibiotics, Lactobacillus zeae (LB1) and Lactobacillus casei (L3) respectively. Growth performance, immune response and intestinal flora have been examined. The results obtained were as follows: (i) F/G of the rabbits fed with Lactobacillus isolates was significantly lower than that of the control group (p< 0.05). (ii) The concentration of ALT decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and that of IgG and IgM increased significantly (p < 0.05) after feeding rabbits with Lactobacillus isolates. (iii) Lactobacillus isolates had no influence on the number of mast cells in duodenum and jejunum, but increased the number of mast cells in caecum significantly (p < 0.05). (iv) The data from pyrosequencing-based analysis suggested that the bacterial community in the rabbit's intestinal flora can be changed by Lactobacillus isolates and antibiotics, especially for the microbial diversity and abundance in the caecum. In conclusion, the application of proper Lactobacillus isolates can improve the growth performance, enhance the immunological function and adjust the intestinal micro-ecosystem of growing Rex Rabbits.

Evaluation of haematological, serum biochemical and histopathological parameters of growing rabbits fed Amaranthus dubius

“…The TP values observed in the current trial were lower than the normal ranges for rabbits (Melillo, 2007;Wang et al, 2017). They were, conversely, within the range reported by Özkan et al (2012).…”

“…The GLU values observed in the current trial were within the normal ranges for rabbits (Melillo, ; Özkan et al., ; Wang, Zhu, Li, & Huang, ). Glucose was, however, lower than that reported by Igwebuike et al.…”

“…The GLU values observed in the current trial were within the normal ranges for rabbits (Melillo, 2007;Özkan et al, 2012;Wang, Zhu, Li, & Huang, 2017). Glucose was, however, lower than that reported by Igwebuike et al (2008) and Mandour et al (2012) in different trials for growing rabbits fed unconventional diets.…”

The Review on the Function of Intestinal Flora and the Regulatory Effects of Probiotics on the Intestinal Health of Rabbits

“…Meanwhile, the Clostridium count was not affected. Wang et al [32]conclued that Lactobacillus isolates LB1 and L3 can alter the gut microbiota to the direction of more abundance and diversity, particularly in the cecum,by pyrosequencing-based analysis .Simonova et al [30]performed a similar study whereby E. faecium CCM7420 was administrated as a probiotic in rabbits for 21 and 42 days and reported that the probiotic increased the counts of Enterococci but was unable to modulate the levels of other faecal bacteria such as Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus.…”

The Review on Structure of Intestinal Flora at Different Growth Stages of Rabbits

“…Wang et al [35]found that Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Verrucomicrobia (90.5%-97.7%) played an important role in the cecum, duodenum and jejunum of growing rabbits. The results were consistent with the findings of Monteils et al [36] .…”