Effects of probiotic supplement (Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus) on feed efficiency, growth performance, and microbial population of weaning rabbits.

Thanh Lam Phuoc,Uttra Jamikorn

doi:10.5713/ajas.15.0823

Thanh Lam Phuoc, Uttra Jamikorn

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.15.0823

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Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the effects of single or/and double strains of probiotic supplement on feed efficiency, growth performance, and microbial population in distal gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of weaning rabbits.MethodsSixty-four weaning (28 days old) New Zealand White rabbits were randomly distributed into four groups with treatments including: basal diet without probiotic supplement (control) or supplemented as follows: 1×106 cfu/g B. subtilis (BS group), 1×107 cfu/g L. acidophilus (LA group), or 0.5×106 cfu/g B. subtilis plus 0.5×107 cfu/g L. acidophilus (BL group). During the research, the male and female rabbits were fed separately. Body weight of the rabbits was recorded at 28, 42, and 70 d of age.ResultsThere was an increase (p<0.05) in body weight gain for the LA group at 42 d. Rabbits fed BL responsed with a greater growth (p<0.05) and better feed conversion ratio (p<0.05) than those fed with no probiotic. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy were higher (p<0.05) in LA and BL groups than those in the control group. Male rabbits had higher (p<0.05) Bacilli spp. and Coliformis spp. in the ileum than female rabbits. Rabbits supplemented with BS had greater (p<0.05) numbers of bacilli in all intestinal segments than those receiving no probiotic, whereas intestinal Lactobacilli populations were greater (p<0.001) in the LA and BL diets compared to control. Average intestinal coliform populations were lowest (p<0.05) in the rabbits supplemented with LA as compared to those fed the control and BS.ConclusionSupplementation of L. acidophilus alone or in combination with B. subtilis at a half of dose could enhance number of gut beneficial bacteria populations, nutrient digestibility, cecal fermentation, feed efficiency, and growth performance, but rabbits receiving only B. subtilis alone were not different from the controls without probiotic.

Highlights

An intensive system of rabbit production, especially during weaning period, can cause many physiological and environmental stresses
Feed efficiency and growth performance No significant differences were observed on body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and Perfor mance index (PI) when compared between male and female groups (Table 2)
An increased BWG (p

Summary

Introduction

An intensive system of rabbit production, especially during weaning period, can cause many physiological and environmental stresses. These problems result in concentrating and spreading of enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), coccidian, and epizootic rabbit enter opathy which have negative effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, and rabbit health status [1,2]. Researches have been conducted to identify alternative substances used for animal production [4]. Supplementa tion of beneficial normal flora, such as Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, in order to improve gut environment, as probiotics appear to be possible alternative feed additives. Lam Phuoc and Jamikorn (2017) Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 30:198-205

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