ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Vet. Sci.
Sec. Animal Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume 12 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1615203
Bifidobacterium, Spirulina, and Yeast Extracts in Low-Energy Diets for Rabbits: Effects on Performance, Hematology, Lipid Metabolism, Hepatorenal Function, Immunity and Hormones
Provisionally accepted- 1Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Al Sharqia, Egypt
- 2College of Science, Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 3Department of Animal and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Qena, Egypt
- 4Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- 5College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, AlAin, United Arab Emirates
- 6Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology; College of Veterinary Medicine; University of Kirkuk; Kirkuk, Iraq, Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq
- 7Department of Dairy Science, National Research Centre (Egypt), Giza, Beni Suef, Egypt
- 8Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Al Sharqia, Egypt
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This research assessed the influence of probiotics in low-energy diets on the performance and health status of rabbits during the growing phase. The growth parameters, carcass metrics, serum immunological state, lipid profile, and hepatic and renal functioning of rabbits have been analysed. One hundred male New Zealand White rabbits, aged 5 weeks, were split into five groups at random. The rabbits within each group were allocated into 10 replicates, comprising 2 rabbits each. The initial group (T1) received a standard energy diet (10.85 MJ/kg), the (T2) group was provided with a low energy diet (10.25 MJ/kg), whereas the T3, T4, and T5 groups were administered a low energy diet mixed with Bifidobacterium (1 ml/kg diet), Spirulina extract (2 ml/kg diet), and yeast extract (2 ml/kg diet), respectively. The results showed a significant increase in growth performance with the treatment of biological feed additives, and the group treated with spirulina extract increased final body weight and weight gain (5-13 wk), while the group treated with bifidobacterium improved feed intake and feed conversion ratio (5-13 wk). Carcass traits were not significantly affected by probiotic supplementation (P>0.05). Moreover, haematological parameters showed no significant changes (P>0.05) with probiotic supplementation, except for red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets (PLT), and basophils (BAS), which showed a significant variation (P<0.05). Liver and kidney function tests showed a significant increase (P<0.05) with probiotic treatments. Furthermore, thyroid hormones such as T3 and T4 were significantly enhanced by supplementation of probiotics (P<0.0001). Immunoglobulins (IgA and IgG) were significantly enhanced by supplementation of probiotics when compared to low-energy diet group. Conclusively, probiotics in low-energy diet significantly enhanced rabbit growth, and serum immunity while improving lipid profiles and supporting liver and kidney functions. This supplementation strategy promoted both performance and overall health during the fattening period.
Keywords: feed additives, Low energy diet, production, Blood metabolites, Bifidobacterium, yeast extract, Spirulina, rabbit
Received: 20 Apr 2025; Accepted: 02 Jul 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Shaheen, Allam, Monem, Bassiony, Khalil, Salah, Bin-Jumah, RUDAYNI, Elolimy, Abass, Madkour and Alagawany. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Ahmed A. Elolimy, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, AlAin, United Arab Emirates
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