| Weaning diarrhea in young rabbits is a highly prevalent disease that seriously affects the development of the rabbit industry.In the context of restricted and banned use of antibiotics,post-weaning diarrhea has severely impacted the breeding efficiency of rabbit farms.Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine(TCVM)is considered one of the most promising alternatives to antibiotics.This study evaluated the effects of a Modified Zhizhu Powder on the growth performance,immune function,digestive absorption capacity,intestinal barrier,and gut microbiota of young rabbits,aiming to clarify its efficacy in preventing and treating post-weaning diarrhea and providing a new option for the prevention and control of rabbit intestinal diseases in production practice.Ninety healthy New Zealand white rabbits of similar weight and 35 days of age were randomly divided into five groups,each with six replicates of three young rabbits.The control group was fed with a basic diet,and the other four treatment groups were fed with a basic diet mixed with 2‰ enrofloxacin powder or 1‰,3‰,5‰ Modified Zhizhu Powder,respectively,for 14 days.During the experiment,diarrhea rate,mortality rate,and F/G ratio were recorded.After the experiment,samples of blood,immune organs,intestinal tissue,and intestinal contents were collected for testing.The results are as follows:1.Modified Zhizhu Powder improved the growth performance and immune function of weaned rabbits.Modified Zhizhu Powder could improve the growth performance of young rabbits.Compared with the control group,the final weight and ADG of weaned rabbits in the Modified Zhizhu Powder treatment groups were significantly increased(P<0.05),and F/G was significantly reduced(P<0.05).The diarrhea rate of the control group was 10.71%,and the mortality rate was 16.67%.The diarrhea rates of Modified Zhizhu Powder treatment groups(Low,Medium,and High dose groups)were 8.33%,3.97%,and 1.59%,respectively.There was no rabbit mortality in any of the Modified Zhizhu Powder treatment groups.Modified Zhizhu Powder could significantly increase the immune organ index(P<0.05),and the result shows a dose-dependent effect.The levels of inflammatory factors(IL-2,IL-6,MPO)in rabbit blood decreased,and the levels of immune factors(Ig G,Ig M)increased after Modified Zhizhu Powder treatment,indicating that Modified Zhizhu Powder could enhance the immune function of young rabbits and reduce the body’s inflammation levels.2.Modified Zhizhu Powder increased intestinal digestion and absorption capacity of weaned rabbits.Modified Zhizhu Powder could promote the digestive ability of young rabbits’ intestines by enhancing the secretion of lipase,α-amylase,cellulase,and trypsin in the small intestine,and improving the utilization rate of feed.At the molecular level,Modified Zhizhu Powder could promote the absorption of nutrients in young rabbit intestines by upregulating the m RNA expression levels of SGLT1 and GLUT2 in the small intestine.3.Modified Zhizhu Powder protected the integrity of intestinal barrier of weaned rabbits.Modified Zhizhu Powder could significantly reduce intestinal pathological tissue score(P<0.05),and up-regulate the m RNA and protein expressions of intestinal cell tight junction proteins such as Occludin,Claudin,ZO-1,ZO-2,and JAM2,thereby strengthening the tight connections between intestinal cells.Modified Zhizhu Powder could also reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines(IL-1β,IL-2,IL-6,TNF-α)in small intestine,inhibiting the occurrence of inflammation.Additionally,it could reduce the adhesion and invasion of harmful bacteria on the ileal mucosa by increasing the protein expression of MUC2 and the secretion of slg A.Furthermore,Modified Zhizhu Powder could balance the oxidative-antioxidative system of the intestine by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes(SOD,GSH,T-AOC,CAT).4.Modified Zhizhu Powder improved intestinal flora of weaned rabbits.Modified Zhizhu Powder could balance the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroides(F/B),reduce the abundance of harmful bacteria(Rolstonia and Prevobacteria),increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria(Ackermanella and dg A-11 gut group),and improve the diversity of cecal microbiota in rabbits.This is beneficial for maintaining the dynamic balance of microbiota.Conclusions: Modified Zhizhu Powder could effectively improve the growth performance and immune performance of weaned rabbits,and prevent and treat postweaning diarrhea by enhancing intestinal digestion and absorption capacity,protecting the intestinal barrier,and regulating the balance of intestinal flora. |
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