Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Saccharina latissima and Ulva lactuca on Growth Performance and Gut Health in Growing Rabbits

Sabela Al-Soufi, Ana Paula Losada, Marta López-Alonso, Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas, Azucena Mora, Alexandre Lamas, Rosario Panadero, Marta Miranda (), Antonio Muíños, Eugenio Cegarra and Javier García
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Sabela Al-Soufi: Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Ana Paula Losada: Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Marta López-Alonso: Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Alejandra Cardelle-Cobas: Laboratorio de Hixiene, Inspección e Control de Alimentos, Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición e Bromatoloxía, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Azucena Mora: Laboratorio de Referencia de Escherichia coli (LREC), Departamento de Microbioloxía e Parasitoloxía, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Alexandre Lamas: Laboratorio de Hixiene, Inspección e Control de Alimentos, Departamento de Química Analítica, Nutrición e Bromatoloxía, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Rosario Panadero: Departamento de Patoloxía Animal, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Marta Miranda: Departamento de Anatomía, Produción Animal e Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultade de Veterinaria, Campus Terra, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain
Antonio Muíños: Porto Muíños S.L., 15185 Cerceda, Spain
Eugenio Cegarra: De Heus Nutrición Animal, 15004 A Coruña, Spain
Javier García: Departamento de Producción Agraria, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Agroalimentaria y de Biosistemas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain

Agriculture, 2024, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-21

Abstract: Rabbit meat production faces challenges due to the prevalence of gastrointestinal diseases in rabbits, exacerbated by restrictions on antibiotic use in European animal production. Marine macroalgae, rich in bioactive compounds such as soluble polysaccharides, represent promising solutions to this problem. However, research on the effects of macroalgae and the underlying mechanisms in rabbits is limited, especially in commercial settings. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Saccharina latissima (dehydrated) and Ulva lactuca (dehydrated and hydrolyzed extract) on rabbit on growth performance and gut health in a commercial farm context. A total of 96 litters (8 rabbits/litter) of crossbred rabbits weaned at 33 days of age were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups (control, Saccharina latissima dehydrated, Ulva lactuca dehydrated and Ulva lactuca hydrolyzed extract; 24 replicates/treatment) and monitored from weaning to slaughter at 61 days of age. The key indicators of gut health were assessed 14 days post-weaning by counting coccidia, isolating specific microflora and examining histological samples. Additionally, the relevant intestinal markers (microbiome composition, mucin content and gene expression related to immune response and tight junction proteins) were determined in order to elucidate the potential mechanisms involved. The inclusion of macroalgae in the diet did not influence growth performance of the animals. S. latissima had a positive effect in reducing coccidia counts ( p = 0.10) and improving mucosal morphology ( p < 0.001), which can possibly be attributed to modulation of the microbiota and improved mucosal functionality. Ulva lactuca had a favorable effect on gut tight junction proteins ( p < 0.001), enhancing intestinal barrier function. These findings suggest the potential of macroalgae to modify the intestinal microbiome by reducing the presence of inflammatory bacteria. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms involved and optimize macroalgae supplementation in rabbit nutrition for enhanced gut health.

Keywords: macroalgae; extract; rabbit; gut health; performance; polysaccharides; antibiotics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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