Rabbit Caecum Research Articles

Effects of age and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on production of volatile fatty acids in the caecum of rabbits

This trial studied the effect of including mannanoligosaccharides (MOS, Bio-Mos ®, Alltech Inc., USA) in the diet on the caecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and pH of rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age. Three experimental diets were compared: control diet, zinc bacitracin (ZnBac) diet (control diet with 0.1 g ZnBac/kg feed) and MOS diet (control diet with 2.0 g MOS/kg feed). Rabbits were slaughtered at 34, 48, 69 and 90 days of age and caecal contents were collected and analyzed for dry matter, pH and VFA concentration. The empty caecum and caecal contents weights relative to live weight were also determined. Age affected (P<0.0001) VFA concentration and pH values in the caecum. The pH decreased with age whereas VFA concentration increased. Rabbits fed MOS had higher (P<0.05) VFA and tended (P=0.098) to had lower pH in the caecum than rabbits fed ZnBac and control diets. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids concentrations in the caecum increased with MOS but its molar proportions were similar among diets. Diet had no effect on empty caecum weight and caecal contents weight and dry matter concentration. There was no interaction effect between diet and age. From 34 to 90 days of age, VFA production was higher (P<0.05) in the caecum of rabbits fed MOS than in those fed ZnBac diet and control diet. The addition of MOS to the diet increased the VFA concentration in the caecum of growing rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age.

Potential core species and satellite species in the bacterial community within the rabbit caecum.

A bacteria library was constructed from the caecum of a rabbit maintained under standard conditions. The complete gene 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. The 228 clones obtained were distributed in 70 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The large majority of the OTUs were composed of one or two clones and seven OTUs contained half of the sequences. Fourteen sequences had high similarity to the sequence already registered in databases (threshold of 97%). Only one of these sequences has been identified as Variovorax sp. (99% identity). Units were distributed mainly (94%) in the Firmicutes phylum. Three sequences were related to Bacteroidetes. Nine clusters were defined in the phylogenic tree. A great diversity of caecal bacteria of the rabbit was shown. Half of the sequences generated in this library were distributed in the phylogenetic tree near the sequences characterized previously in rabbit caecum (potential core species), and the other half of the sequences were well separated (satellite species).

Experimental Application of Sage in Rabbit Husbandry

Salvia spp. belongs to the Labiatae family and is characterized by antimicrobial and antiinflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to test its in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effect against bacteria as well as to find an alternative possibility to use sage in the rabbit ecosystem examining biochemical, zootechnical and inmunological indicators, compared to the commercial feed mixture Xtract. Using the sage extract in in vitro tests, its inhibitory effect was noted. Under in vivo conditions, in the experimental group with sage (EG1), reduction of Pseudomonas-like sp. (p &lt; 0.01) and E. coli (p &lt; 0.01) was noted after 7 days of sage application compared to the control group CG2 (with Robenidin) as well as after 21 days of sage extract application, when the reduction of coagulase-negative staphylococci (p &lt; 0.01) was detected (in comparison with the experimental group-EG2, Xtract group). In the caecum of rabbits from EG1, higher values of lactic, acetic and butyric acids were noted. The values of propionic acid were not influenced. Biochemical indicators were not influenced; however, the values of GSH Px were lower in EG1 compared to EG2. Higher phagocytic activity (18%) was noted in EG1 than in EG2 (13%) after 21 days of additives application. The reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts was demonstrated in EG1 (sage group) after 7 days of sage application comparing to CG2 (217 OPG to 566 OPG). The animals in both experimental groups achieved higher feed consumption and weight gain, lower mortality compared to both controls. Neither of the additives had a negative influence on the health status and growth performance of rabbits.

Effect of antibiotics on the bacterial population of the rabbit caecum

The effect feeding antibiotics has on the bacterial population of the rabbit caecum was investigated. No changes in total volatile fatty acid production or total bacterial counts were observed compared with nonantibiotic treated controls. However, treatment with chlortetracycline resulted in an increase of propionate at the apparent cost of butyrate (P<0.05). Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis indicated that the two antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis (chlortetracycline and tiamulin) exerted the most similar changes on the bacterial population structure, decreasing the diversity of the profiles. Sequence analysis of DNA from excised denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis bands was carried out. The majority of the sequences observed were most similar to bacterial sequences previously described in other gut environments, with 11% being most similar to those previously reported from the rabbit, and 95% of the sequences having 95% or greater identity to sequences already in GenBank.

Effect of nursing methods and faeces consumption on the development of the bacteroides, lactobacillus and coliform flora in the caecum of the newborn rabbits

The effect of nursing method and ingestion of maternal faeces on the development of the bacteroides, lactobacillus and coliform flora of the caecum in the first 10 days of life were examined in freely nursed pups having access to maternal faeces (Group FF), pups nursed once a day and having access (Group CF), or having no access (Group CN) to maternal faeces. Colonisation of the caecum by Bacteroides commenced already on day 3 after birth. On day 2 the bacteroides counts were below 100, while on day 4 they were already between 100 and 10,000. In Group CN, the Bacteroides counts were lower (by 14 to 40%) throughout the 10-day period studied than in the groups having access to maternal faeces. Differences between groups were significant only on days 4 and 6. The average number of maternal faecal pellets left behind the doe in Group CN was 3-4 (between 0.5 and 6.4 per doe). In Groups FF and CF the pellets became smaller, crumbled and finally disappeared from the nest box, they were consumed by the pups and could be found in their gastric content. The lactobacillus counts decreased in all three groups with age, from 6.0 to 3.5 log10 CFU.g-1 (FF), 4.6 to 2.8 log10 CFU.g-1 (CF) and 5.1 to 3.1 log10 CFU.g-1 (CN), respectively. The coliform counts were higher in the first 4 days in FF (5.6 log10 CFU.g-1) than in CF (< 2 log10 CFU.g-1) and CN (2-3.6 log10 CFU.g-1) animals. Bacteroides could be cultured from the surface of the vulvar labia (max. 1000 colony count) and the vagina (max. 190 colony count), so young rabbits could become "infected" by them already in the doe's vagina. Thus prevention of ingestion of maternal faeces only slightly influenced the development of the bacteroides flora, the faeces left behind by the doe did not play an exclusive role in their colonisation.

Molecular profiling of bacterial species in the rabbit caecum

The diversity of bacteria present in the caecum of the rabbit was investigated. Partial bacterial 16S rRNA genes from a digested sample collected from the caecum of an adult rabbit were amplified by PCR. Sequence analysis of the amplified fragments indicated highest similarity was to bacterial sequences previously described from other gut environments. However, only one sequence showed significant identity (97% threshold) to any previously described bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Furthermore, most of the sequences clustered together in groups lacking representatives from sequences already described, suggesting that the rabbit caecal flora contains organisms not previously described.

Digestive Organs, Caecal Metabolites and Fermentation Pattern in Coypus (Myocastor coypus) and Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Marounek M., M.Skfiivan, P. Bfiezina, I. Hoza: Digestive Organs, Caecal Metabolites and Fermentation Pattern in Coypus (Myocastor coypus) and Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Acta Vet. Brno, 2005, 74: 3-7. Six coypus and six rabbits fed the same granulated feed ad libitum were slaughtered, digestive organs with their contents weighed and digesta samples analyzed. The caecum was the largest digestive organ in both animal species. Its weight averaged 170 g in coypus and 157 g in rabbits (4.1 and 5.5% of the total body weight, respectively). In rabbits, the weight of stomach was greater and that of the small intestine smaller than in coypus (135 and 89 vs 85 and 111 g). Gastric acidity, caecal and colonic dry matter concentration were significantly higher in rabbits. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and ammonia concentrations in the caecal contents of coypus and rabbits were similar (100.1 and 23.3 µmol/g in coypus, and 103.7 and 25.5 µmol/g in rabbits, respectively). Molar percentages of acetate and propionate, however, were significantly higher and percentage of butyrate lower in caecal VFA of coypus than in rabbits (P < 0.002). The caecal contents were diluted with buffer and incubated anaerobically to determine the caecal fermentation pattern. Caecal microorganisms of coypus produced more propionate and methane, and less butyrate and valerate than caecal microbes of rabbits (P < 0.05). Thus, different major hydrogen sinks exist in the coypu and rabbit caecum. In conclusion, there are both differences and similarities in parameters of digestion in both animal species. Caecal fermentation pattern differed more than other parameters investigated. Coypu, rabbit, weight, digestive tract, digestion, caecum, fermentation Coypus (Myocastor coypus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are medium-sized

Isolation, Identification and Characterization of Rabbit Caecal Mucinolytic Bacteria

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Fermentation of pectin and glucose, and activity of pectin-degrading enzymes in the rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum.

In a rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, metabolites of pectin and glucose, and activities of enzymes involved in the degradation of pectin were assayed. Simultaneously, activities of these enzymes were assayed in a rumen pectinolytic strain of Streptococcus bovis. A strain B. pseudolongum P6 which grew best on pectin was selected among bifidobacteria isolated from the rabbit caecum. Cultures of B. pseudolongum P6 grown on pectin produced significantly less formate, lactate and ethanol, and more acetate and succinate than cultures grown on glucose. No CO2 production on pectin was observed. Pectin macromolecule was degraded by extracellular pectinase (EC 3.2.1.15). Cell extracts possessed the activity of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase (EC 4.1.2.14). Streptococcus bovis X4, possessed activity of exopectate lyase and pectinase, but not that of KDPG aldolase. Our results are consistent with the assumption that in B. pseudolongum P6 acidic products of pectin degradation are catabolized via a modified Entner-Doudoroff pathway, as shown previously in rumen pectin-utilizing bacteria. The missing KDPG aldolase activity in Strep. bovis X4 seems to be the reason for the absence of growth of this bacterium on pectin. Information on polysaccharide metabolism in bifidobacteria is fragmentary. This study extends the knowledge on pectin metabolism in intestinal bacteria.

Isolation and characterization of rabbit caecal pectinolytic bacteria.

Two hundred and thirty colonies from the caecal contents of six rabbits were picked up and, after a 2-d incubation, were microscopically characterized using Gram staining. Large Gram-negative (34%) and small Gram-negative (30%) irregular rods, Gram-negative (27%) and Gram-positive (8%) cocci were found. Eleven isolates (Bacteroides ovatus (6 strains), B. thetaiotamicron, B. caccae, B. stercoris, B. capillosus and Capnocytophaga ochracea) were identified using commercial tests for measuring their catalase activity, metabolite production, etc., and testing their growth in 20% bile. Bacteria belonging to the genus Bacteroides were demonstrated to be the principal pectinolytic organisms in the rabbit caecum.

Effect of fibre source on ileal apparent digestibility of non-starch polysaccharides in rabbits

AbstractSixteen New Zealand White ✕ Californian doe rabbits (four per diet) weighing 3397 (s.e. 378) g, and surgically fitted with a glass T-cannula at the terminal ileum were used to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of non-starch polysaccharides of four fibrous foods. Four diets were formulated to contain paprika meal, olive leaves, lucerne hay or soya-bean hulls as the sole source of fibre. Fibre sources were supplemented with different proportions of soya protein isolate, wheat flour, lard, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, DL-methionine and a mineral/vitamin mix, to obtain diets containing at least 185 g crude protein and 50 g starch per kg. All diets included 2 g/kg of the respective fibre source marked with chromium. Diets were assigned to individually caged rabbits in a completely randomized design and were offered ad libitum throughout the experiment. Dry matter intake was not affected by type of diet. Fibre source affected (P&lt; 0·05) corrected ileal apparent digestibility of total non-strach polysaccharides (NSP), xylose, galactose, glucose and uronic acids. Uronic acids were the best digested monomer at the ileum in all the foodstuffs studied, ranging from 0·195 to 0·522 for olive leaves and paprika meal, respectively. Corrected ileal apparent digestibility of uronic acids was correlated with the uronic acids insoluble in NDF solution, expressed as proportion of total uronic acid content (r=–0·74;P= 0·001), the proportion of large particles (&gt; 1·25 mm;r= –0·71;P&lt; 0·01) and the proportion of fine particles (&lt; 0·315 mm;r= 0·65;P= 0·01). Other monomers (arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose) usually related to pectic substances, also showed in general a greater ileal digestibility than that of total NSP. Taking into account the uronic acids content of the diet and their digestibility, digestible uronic acids accounted for 0·572, 0·528, 0·93 and 0·353 of the total ileal digestible NSP of paprika meal, olive leaves, lucerne hay and soya-bean hulls based diets, respectively. The sum of arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and galactose accounted for 0·15 of total NSP digested at the ileum on average, over the different fibre sources studied. Glucose and xylose were the monomers least digested at the ileum. Their corrected ileal apparent digestibilities were close to zero, except for the paprika meal (0·266 and 0·216) and soya-bean hulls (0·137 and 0·057) based diets. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that a valuable amount of total NSP is hydrolysed before the caecum in rabbits. However, this hydrolysis affects mainly pectic and readily fermentable substances.

Fermentation pattern and enzymatic activity in caecum of rabbits fed processed Neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel meal incorporated diets

Fermentation pattern and enzymatic activity in caecum of rabbits fed processed Neem (Azadirachta indica) kernel meal incorporated diets

Effect of ionophores on in vitro caecal fermentation in rabbits

Experiments were carried out at Uhříněves, Czech Republic, in 1995 and 1996 to evaluate the effect of salinomycin, monensin, lasalocid and maduramicin on in vitro rabbit caecal fermentation. In cultures supplied with starch, hemicellulose and pectin, all ionophores in the range of concentrations tested (1–10 μg/ml) stimulated methanogenesis. Ionophores at 5 μg/ml increased the production of methane by 26–35% and decreased the production of acetate (P&lt;0·05). Significantly more acetate was produced in mixotrophic acetogenic cultures of caecal micro-organisms with glucose (2 mg/ml) under hydrogen atmosphere than under nitrogen. The H2-dependent formation of acetate was blocked in cultures with ionophores. The stimulation of methanogenesis by salinomycin, monensin, lasalocid and maduramicin can thus be related to the inhibition of acetogenesis, which is an alternative method of H2 utilization in the rabbit caecum.

Fermentation Patterns in Rabbit Caecal Cultures Supplied with Plant Polysaccharides and Lactate

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47 Functional inhibition by anti-G?q/11 antibodies of M3 muscarinic receptor-induced phospholipase C activation and smooth muscle cell contraction in the rabbit caecum

47 Functional inhibition by anti-G?q/11 antibodies of M3 muscarinic receptor-induced phospholipase C activation and smooth muscle cell contraction in the rabbit caecum

Involvement of G αq/11 in the contractile signal transduction pathway of muscarinic M 3 receptors in caecal smooth muscle

The nature of the pertussis toxin-insensitive G-protein involved in muscarinic-mediated phosphoinositides breakdown and contraction of isolated smooth muscle cells from the circular layer of the rabbit caecum was investigated. Immunoblotting of membrane proteins using affinity purified antibodies directed against different G-protein α-subunits revealed the expression of G αq/11, G αil and G αi2 in these cells. The carbachol-mediated [ 3H]inositol phosphates accumulation in saponin-permeabilized cells was abolished by anti-G αq/11-antibodies whereas anti-G αil,2-antibodies were ineffective. Moreover, the carbachol-induced contraction of permeabilized cells, as determined by videomicrocopic measurements, was reversed by anti-G αq/11-antibodies but not affected by anti-G αil,2-antibodies. From these data, we conclude that carbachol stimulates phosphoinositides hydrolysis and cell contraction through activation of specific muscarinic M 3 receptors coupled to the pertussis toxin-insensitive G αq/11-protein. This is the first demonstration of G αq/11 implication in the contractile signal transduction pathway of muscarinic M 3 receptors in smooth muscle cells.

Effect of fibre level reduction and gluco-oligosaccharide addition on the growth performance and caecal fermentation in the growing rabbit

The effect of reducing the level of fibre in the diet (15.8 to 10.6% ADF) was tested in combination with the effect of a supplementation (0 or 1.5%) with a mixture of gluco-oligosachharide (GOS), on the zootechnical performances and on the caecal parameters and health status of the growing rabbit during a complete fattening period (28–77 d of age). A 2 × 2 factorial design using 40 animals per treatment was used. The reduction of the fibre level resulted in a significant reduction (−10%) of the feed intake. The addition of GOS tended to increase the feed intake ( P = 0.11), but only in the low fibre group (LF), thus an interaction ( P = 0.067) between the effect of fibre level and GOS was detected. Daily weight gain was not affected either by fibre level or by addition of GOS, consequently the feed conversion followed a similar trend to that observed for the feed intake. Between weaning (28 d) and slaughtering (77 d), the LF diet was associated with an increase of the mortality ( n = 3 40 vs. n = 7 40 for control and LF resp.). Supplementation with GOS significantly increased the mortality and morbidity. The concentration of the VFA in the caecum of healthy rabbits, measured at slaughtering, was significantly increased (+ 10%) when reducing the fibre level, and was associated with a higher molar proportion of the butyrate (meanly 20.4 vs. 17.8%). The caecal VFA pattern did not differ according to the addition of GOS. The weight of the caecum wall and of the caecal digesta were not affected either by the fibre level or by the addition of GOS.

Comparative fibrolytic activity of different microbial populations from rabbit caecum and bovine rumen

Comparative fibrolytic activity of different microbial populations from rabbit caecum and bovine rumen

Comparative fibrolytic activity of different microbial populations from rabbit caecum and bovine rumen

Comparative fibrolytic activity of different microbial populations from rabbit caecum and bovine rumen

Signal transduction pathways of muscarinic receptors in circular smooth muscle from the rabbit caecum.

The effects of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor stimulation on phosphoinositides breakdown and adenylate cyclase activity were examined in the circular smooth muscle of the rabbit caecum. In Myo-[3H]inositol-labeled circular smooth muscle cells, carbachol caused a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]inositol phosphates ([3H]IPs) accumulation (EC50 of 3 +/- 1 microM). The M1-selective antagonist pirenzepine (PRZ), the M2-selective AF-DX 116 (11-2[[2-[(diethyl-amino)methyl]-1-piperidinyl]acetyl]-5, 11-dihydro-6Hypyrido[2,3-b][1,4]benzodiazepin-6-one) and the M3-selective para-fluoro-hexahydrosiladifenidol (p-F-HHSiD) inhibited the carbachol-induced [3H]inositol phosphates accumulation with the following order of potency; p-F-HHSiD > PRZ > AF-DX 116. In saponin-permeabilized circular smooth muscle cells, carbachol and GTP gamma [S] elicited a concentration-dependent increase in [3H]inositol phosphates accumulation. The concentration-response curve for GTP gamma [S] was shifted to the left when cells were incubated with 1 microM carbachol. The [3H]inositol phosphates accumulation elicited by simultaneous addition of 0.1 microM GTP gamma [S] and 1 microM carbachol to permeabilized cells was significantly decreased (78.28 +/- 18.23% inhibition) when cells were preincubated for 5 min with 0.1 mM GDP beta [S]. In nonpermeabilized cells, pertussis toxin did not alter the carbachol-induced increase in [3H]inositol phosphates accumulation. On the other hand, the 0.1 mM carbachol-induced inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in circular smooth muscle homogenates was significantly reversed by atropine and AF-DX 116, whereas PRZ and p-F-HHSiD were ineffective (muscarinic antagonists were used at 1 microM final concentration).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)