Abstract
One of the main problem in the nutrition of the growing rabbit is to control the incidence of enteritis related to unbalanced nutrient supply (especially fibre) and to disorders in caecal microbial activity (CMA). The caeco-colic digestive processes need thus to be well understood in connection to nutritional and ontogenic factors. The present review first summarises the main traits of the caecal physiology and recent advances along with methodological approach used. Ontogenic and nutritional factors affecting CMA are then reviewed. Finally, caeco—colic disturbances arising from inadequate nutrient supply are described, including the related hypothesis explaining the occurrence of enteritis. New methodological approach has been recently developed in order to evaluate more precisely the CMA under several aspects including in vivo fermentation pattern, enzymatic fibrolytic bacterial activity or production of biomass. The studies measuring the needs of nutrients for the caecal flora have developed a new approach that considers the respective dietary fibre fractions and the interactions with the starch supply. But, further research is needed to improve our knowledge of the flow of nutrients entering the caecum, particularly for the growing rabbit.
Published Version
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