Modulation of Growth, Gut Microbiota, and Health Markers in Rabbits Fed Hydroponic Barley with or without Enzymes

Ahmed A.A. Abdel-Wareth¹Esraa M H Mohamed²Hamdy A Hassan²Rokia B Elamary³Zainab Al-Amgad⁴Jayant Lohakare^1*

• ¹Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, United States
• ²Department of Animal and Poultary Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Qena, Egypt
• ³Faculty of Science, Luxor University, Luxor, Egypt
• ⁴General Authority for Veterinary Services, Qena Veterinary Directorate, 83111 Qena, Egypt, Qena, Egypt

Hydroponic barley (HB) has emerged as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient, yet its effects on rabbit physiology and gut health remain underexplored. This study investigated the impact of dietary HB, with or without enzyme supplementation, on growth, microbiota, and histology of organs in growing rabbits. This study evaluated the effects of dietary hydroponic barley (HB), with or without enzyme supplementation, on the microbiological, physiological, and histological responses of growing rabbits. Sixty male Hy-Plus rabbits were randomly assigned to one of three dietary groups: a control group, a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley (CHB), and a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of AXTRA XB enzymes (CHBE). The trial lasted 60 days. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA to assess differences among treatments. Rabbits fed CHB and CHBE diets showed significantly improved body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Inclusion of hydroponic barley, with or without enzyme supplementation, also modulated the cecal microbiota by increasing Lactobacillus spp. and decreasing Escherichia coli populations. Furthermore, CHB and CHBE diets improved serum biochemical profiles, as evidenced by reduced levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and cholesterol. Histological examination confirmed normal liver and intestinal structures in the treatment groups, indicating a protective effect on organ health. Incorporating 25% hydroponic barley, with or without enzyme supplementation, into rabbit diets improved growth performance, enhanced gut microbiota composition, and supported organ health, highlighting its potential as a functional feed ingredient for growing rabbits.