RT Journal Article
T1 Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Saccharina latissima and Ulva lactuca on Growth Performance and Gut Health in Growing Rabbits
A1 Al-Soufi, Sabela
A1 Losada García, Ana Paula
A1 López Alonso, María Marta
A1 Cardelle Cobas, Alejandra
A1 Mora Gutiérrez, Azucena
A1 Lamas Freire, Alexandre
A1 Panadero Fontán, Rosario
A1 Miranda Castañón, Marta Inés
A1 Muiños, Antonio
A1 Cegarra, Eugenio
A1 García, Javier
K1 Macroalgae
K1 Extract
K1 Rabbit
K1 Gut health
K1 Performance
K1 Polysaccharides
K1 Antibiotics
AB 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.
PB MDPI
SN 2077-0472
YR 2024
FD 2024-09-14
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/38004
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/38004
LA eng
NO Al-Soufi, S.; Losada, A.P.; López-Alonso, M.; Cardelle-Cobas, A.; Mora, A.; Lamas, A.; Panadero, R.; Miranda, M.; Muíños, A.; Cegarra, E.; et al. Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Saccharina latissima and Ulva lactuca on Growth Performance and Gut Health in Growing Rabbits. Agriculture 2024, 14, 1605. https://doi.org/10.3390/ agriculture14091605
NO This study was conducted as part of the TIRAC innovation project, which received 80% of its funding from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and 20% from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, under the National Rural Development Program 2014–2020. The General Directorate for Rural Development, Innovation and Agrifood Training (DGDRIFA) administers this support. The project had a budget of EUR 492,580.38, with a total grant amount of EUR 485,043.58. The funding reference is 2020-PN216 (O00000226e2000044671). Sabela Al-Soufi, Marta Miranda and Marta López-Alonso are affiliated with the “Grupo de Potencial Crecimiento,” which is funded by GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) under grant number ED431B 2023/008. Additionally, this research was supported by Project PID2022-143041OB-100, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF/EU, and grant ID ED431C 2021/11.
DS Minerva
RD 4 may 2026