Combined administration of bacteriocin-producing, probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium CCM7420 with Eleutherococcus senticosus and their effect in rabbits.

The effect of Enterococcus faecium CCM7420 (EF) - enterocin-producing and probiotic strain of rabbit origin, Eleutherococcus senticosus extract (ES) and their combination (ES+EF) was determined on selected bacteria in faeces and caecum content, leukocytes phagocytosis, blood biochemistry and growth performance. Ninety-six weaned rabbits were divided into 3 experimental (ES, EF, ES+EF) and control group (CG). The rabbits in the groups ES and EF+ES were fed commercial diet enriched with E. senticosus extract (30 g/100 kg feed), rabbits in groups EF and CG were fed untreated diet. The rabbits in the EF and ES+EF groups were administered with an overnight culture of E. faecium CCM7420 strain (500 microl/animal/day into water, 109 CFU/ml). The treatment period lasted 21 days. The microbiological examinations in faecal samples confirmed the presence of E. faecium CCM7420 strain. In groups EF and ES+EF, the reduction of faecal coliforms, Pseudomonas-like sp., Clostridium-like sp. and S. aureus was recorded. Leucocyte phagocytosis significantly increased in all experimental groups (P < 0.0001) compared to CG. The lowest GPx values were measured in the ES+EF group. Higher total protein, triglycerides and calcium concentrations were detected in experimental groups compared to CG. The cholesterol concentration decreased in the ES group. The highest average daily gain was recorded in EF group; in ES+EF the better feed conversion ratio and no mortality was recorded. These results indicated that the dietary supplementation with the E. faecium CCM7420 and E. senticosus extract stimulate the leukocytes phagocytosis and reduces the potential pathogens in rabbits digestive tract without oxidative stress and improve the growth performance.

Enterocin M and Sage Supplementation in Post-weaning Rabbits: Effects on Growth Performance, Caecal Microbiota, Fermentation and Enzymatic Activity.

The effects of enterocin (Ent) M and sage extract applied separately and in combination were investigated. EntM (E 50 µL/animal/day in water) and sage extract (S 10 µL/animal/day in water) were applied individually and in combination (E+S) to rabbits during 21 days of treatment. The rabbits' growth was not significantly influenced by the additives. Lower feed conversion (FC) was noted in the experimental groups compared with controls, with the lowest data detected in E. The antimicrobial activity of EntM was noted (in E+S: lactic acid bacteria-P < 0.01; in E, E+S: enterococci, enterobacteria-P > 0.05; in E: clostridia-P > 0.05). The most significant changes in fermentation between weaned and older rabbits were noted in amylolytic activity at day 21 (E P < 0.05; E + S P < 0.05); prolonged reduction effect of sage extract on amylolytic activity was observed. The activity of cellulase, pectinase and xylanase was higher in older than in younger animals. Decrease in lactic acid and volatile fatty acids was noted during EntM administration, with significant effect on propionic acid concentration (E P < 0.05; E+S P < 0.001). The sage extract reduced propionic acid (S P < 0.001) and butyric acid levels (S P < 0.05) and increased the concentrations of butyric, iso-valeric, valeric, caproic acids and lactic acid (P < 0.001). It seems to be that EntM and sage supplementation may improve the economy of rabbit farms (increased FC) and the health status of rabbits (reduction of spoilage microbiota, enhanced enzymatic activities in caecum).

The effect of selected feed mixtures on the duodenal morphology: comparison study.

The objective of this work was to compare the effect of selected feed mixtures on the duodenal morphology. One-hundred-four rats of the Wistar strain were divided to thirteen groups per eight rats. The experiment started in 35-day-old rats after birth and lasted for 32 days. The groups (A-M) were fed by commercial diet, 85 % wheat and 15 % oat diet, 85 % wheat and 15 % triticale, 85 % wheat and 15 % barley, 85 % wheat and 15 % amaranth, 85 % wheat and 15 % lantern, 85 % wheat and 15 % buckwheat, 100 % wheat, 100 % white lupine, 100 % flock peas - variety Garden, 100 % native peas - variety Garden, 100 % native peas - variety Zekon or 100 % extruded peas - variety Zekon diet, respectively. Samples from the duodenum were taken. The height of the villi and the depth of the crypts were measured. The tallest villi were measured in group F (474.33+/-114.36 microm) and the shortest villi were observed in group B (294.08+/-88.52 microm). The deepest crypts were measured in group K (166.41+/-35.69 microm) and the shallowest crypts were observed in group E (77.85+/-17.61 microm). The work documents that gluten-free and classical cereals combination can be a better choice for people who want to limit the gluten content of the diet.