壳寡糖对环江香猪生化参数及肠道菌群组成的影响

为了探讨壳寡糖(COS)用作环江香猪饲料添加剂的可行性,试验选用21日龄断奶的环江香猪12头,随机分为2组,每组6头,分别饲喂添加0.5%COS的基础日粮和添加抗生素的基础日粮,试验期为14 d。试验结束时采集仔猪血液,肝素抗凝,离心分离血浆,测定生化参数;处死后取回肠和盲肠内容物,用荧光定量PCR测定其中双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、链球菌、大肠杆菌和总细菌的数量。结果表明,与对照组相比,壳寡糖组仔猪碱性磷酸酶活性显著增加(P<0.05),血氨和尿素氮含量有降低趋势(P>0.05);壳寡糖组回肠乳酸杆菌数量显著增加、链球菌数量显著降低(P<0.05),盲肠双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌数量显著增加、大肠杆菌和链球菌数量显著降低(P<0.05)。上述结果提示,壳寡糖可在一定程度上改善环江香猪蛋白质代谢和肠道菌群平衡,从而增强其肠道健康。     

益气健脾中药颗粒剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道菌群的影响

目的研究中药复方颗粒剂对断奶仔猪肠道微生态的影响。方法实验选用人工感染大肠埃希菌引起腹泻的28日龄断奶仔猪54头,随机平均分为3组,每组3个重复,Ⅰ组抗生素治疗组、Ⅱ组中药复方颗粒剂治疗组、Ⅲ组不用任何药物治疗的空白对照组。分别于用药后第14天时,每组随机抽取1头屠宰,无菌采集空肠,回肠和盲肠内容物,利用平板计数法测定各肠段大肠埃希菌、双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌数量。结果 Ⅰ组双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌及大肠埃希菌的数量均显著小于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）;Ⅱ组双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量显著大于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）,大肠埃希菌数量显著小于Ⅲ组（P〈0.05）; n组双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量极显著大于Ⅰ组（P〈0.01）,Ⅱ组与Ⅰ组大肠埃希菌数量差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论该中药复方颗粒剂具有显著增加断奶仔猪肠道中双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量,降低大肠埃希菌数量,减少腹泻频率的作用。     

刺五加提取物对早期断奶仔猪肠道微生物多态性的影响

选用21日龄断奶的三元杂交仔猪60头,随机分为3个处理,处理1饲喂添加0.1%刺五加提取物日粮,处理2饲喂添加0.02%硫酸粘杆菌素日粮,处理3饲喂基础日粮。分别于添加后第7、14和28 d从各处理随机取5头试猪,处死后无菌采集空肠、回肠和盲肠内容物,采用体外培养计数法和PCR/DGGE技术,测定其中乳酸杆菌和大肠杆菌的数量及细菌菌群的变化。结果表明,第7 d时,提取物组回肠内容物大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组;各肠段内容物乳酸杆菌数量均显著高于其它2组。第14 d时,提取物组各肠段内容物大肠杆菌数量均显著低于其它2组;空肠和回肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于其它2组,且盲肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于对照组。第28 d时,提取物组空肠和回肠内容物大肠杆菌数量显著低于其它2组,盲肠内容物大肠杆菌数量也显著低于对照组;回肠内容物乳酸杆菌数量显著高于其它2组。各时间点提取物组盲肠内容物细菌DGGE条带数较对照组多,第28 d时空肠内容物细菌DGGE条带数比对照组多;3个处理间各肠段内容物DGGE图谱间的相似性均达56.9%以上。提示刺五加提取物有助于提高肠道内容物乳酸杆菌的数量,抑制大肠杆菌增殖,显著增加肠道微生物的多样性,这可能是其防治断奶仔猪腹泻、促进生长的机理之一。     

N-氨甲酰谷氨酸对断奶环江香猪肠道微生物区系的影响

研究N-氨甲酰谷氨酸(NCG)对断奶仔猪肠道微生物区系的影响。试验选用体重为3.17±0.21 kg的21日龄断奶环江香猪12头,随机分为2组,每组6头,分别饲喂添加0.1%NCG日粮和基础日粮,试验期为14d。试验结束时,采集回肠和盲肠内容物,利用T-RFLP、PCR/DGGE和荧光定量PCR技术,测定其肠道微生物区系的变化。结果表明,与对照组相比,NCG组回肠内容物中微生物的多样性增加,回肠和盲肠内容物中双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌的数量显著增加、大肠埃希菌的数量显著降低(P0.05),盲肠内容物中链球菌的数量也显著降低(P0.05)。可见,日粮中添加0.1%NCG有助于提高断奶环江香猪肠道内容物中有益菌的数量、抑制有害菌的繁殖,从而改善肠道微生物区系。     

低蛋白质日粮对断奶仔猪生长相关激素和肠道微生物区系的影响

【目的】在饲喂低蛋白质日粮条件下,探究断奶仔猪生长相关激素、回肠和盲肠微生物组成及其代谢产物的变化。【方法】选取体重相近杜长大断奶仔猪54头,随机平均分为3组,每组18头,分别饲喂含20%(NP组)、17%(MP组)和14%(LP组)粗蛋白日粮,平衡日粮中的赖氨酸、蛋氨酸、苏氨酸和色氨酸,于试验第10、25和45天每组屠宰6头,采血测定血常规和生长相关激素;于第45天采集回肠和盲肠食糜,分析微生物及其代谢产物。【结果】与NP组相比,第25和45天时MP和LP组尿素氮水平显著降低(P0.05),第25天时LP组甘油三脂含量、第45天时LP组胆固醇含量显著增加(P0.05)。各时间点血液胰高血糖素、胰岛素、生长激素、T3和T4在3组之间差异均不显著。门水平上,回肠和盲肠中的微生物均以厚壁菌门占主导地位,但各组间差异不显著;随日粮蛋白质含量降低,乳酸杆菌属呈上升趋势,严格梭菌属呈下降趋势,但差异不显著。降低日粮蛋白质含量显著减少了回肠和盲肠中氨氮的产量(P0.05)。【结论】断奶仔猪日粮蛋白质降低3或6个百分点不影响机体生长相关激素的分泌,但能降低血液尿素氮和肠道内氨氮的浓度,对肠道有益菌乳酸杆菌属的相对丰度有一定的提高作用。这说明低蛋白质日粮能提高断奶仔猪对饲料氮源的利用率,且有利于肠道健康。     

灌喂植物乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌增加仔猪肠道菌群多样性及短链脂肪酸生成

【目的】研究断奶前给仔猪饲喂植物乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌对断奶前、后肠道菌群组成、数量和短链脂肪酸(SCFA)浓度的影响,分析仔猪生长性能与肠道形态、微生物菌群及SCFAs的相关性,探讨测试菌株缓解仔猪断奶应激的可能机制。【方法】选取15窝7 d龄杜长大仔猪,随机分为3组,分别灌喂2 mL去离子水(对照组)、0.5×10~9 CFU/mL植物乳杆菌(LP组)或干酪乳杆菌(LC组)的菌液,每组以窝为单位5个重复,于21 d(断奶)、24 d和35 d屠宰,采集回肠和结肠食糜,分析菌群组成和数量的变化,测定SCFAs浓度。【结果】测试菌株均能显著提高断奶2周后回肠、结肠菌群多样性(P0.05),促进乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌增殖;显著促进断奶前回肠和结肠中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总SCFA生成,促进断奶后乙酸和总SCFA产生;相关分析显示,测试菌株组仔猪腹泻率下降与SCFAs浓度上升、回肠绒毛高度增加和总菌数量上升显著相关,日增重提高与结肠乙酸和TSCFA浓度增加显著相关。【结论】测试菌株促进乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌等有益菌增殖,增加肠道菌群多样性,促进肠道SCFAs生成。     

SPF鸡与普通鸡消化道主要正常菌群数量的比较

采用微生态学方法,对SPF鸡和普通鸡嗉囔、腺胃、回肠、盲肠和直肠5个部位的梭杆菌、真杆菌、消化球菌、双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、类杆菌、肠球菌、葡萄球菌和肠杆菌等9种主要正常菌群进行定性、定量分析。结果表明,SPF鸡嗉囔中真杆菌、梭杆菌、双歧杆菌、类杆菌、葡萄球菌和肠杆菌数高于普通鸡,其中真杆菌、梭杆菌、葡萄球菌和肠杆菌数差异极显著(P<0.01);腺胃中梭杆菌、真杆菌、消化球菌、双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、类杆菌和肠杆菌数高于普通鸡,其中真杆菌数差异显著(P<0.05);回肠中真杆菌、双歧杆菌、类杆菌、葡萄球菌和肠杆菌数高于普通鸡,其中类杆菌数差异极显著(P<0.01);盲肠中梭杆菌、消化球菌、双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌和肠球菌数低于普通鸡,其中乳酸杆菌数差异显著(P<0.05);直肠中各菌数量都低于普通鸡,其中双歧杆菌和乳酸杆菌差异显著(P<0.05)。     

复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响

目的观察复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响。方法选择长白二元杂交断奶仔猪90头进行实验,断奶日龄为35 d。共分为5个组,每组设3个重复,每个重复随机选取健康仔猪6头。实验组一:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,罗伊乳杆菌),实验组二:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,干酪乳杆菌),实验组三:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,嗜酸乳杆菌),实验组四:饲喂基础日粮+0.1%复合制剂(纳豆杆菌,双歧杆菌,罗伊乳杆菌,干酪乳杆菌,嗜酸乳杆菌),对照组:饲喂基础日粮。其中复合制剂中益生菌活菌数为109CFU/g。饲养30 d后观察复合活菌制剂对断奶仔猪生长性能及血清溶菌酶含量的影响。结果在日增重、饲料效率及血清溶菌酶方面,实验组一和二显著高于对照组(P0.05);在腹泻率方面,实验组均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。结论在仔猪日粮中添加复合活菌制剂可提高每头断奶仔猪平均日增重及饲料效率,降低腹泻的发病率,且增高仔猪血清溶菌酶含量,提高仔猪的免疫机能,从而提高经济效益。     

日粮蛋白质水平对断奶仔猪肠道发育的影响

实验研究了饲粮不同粗蛋白水平对断奶仔猪肠黏膜形态和肠道健康状况的影响.实验采用完全随机设计,将72头28日龄断奶的仔猪分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复6头.4个组分别接受24%、22%、20%、18%蛋白水平的日粮.结果表明,采食粗蛋白水平为24%的日粮使小肠不同肠段绒毛的生长受到了抑制,使隐窝加深、绒毛/隐窝比降低;随着日粮粗蛋白水平的下降,回肠和盲肠消化物pH、氨氮浓度显著降低(P<0.05),盲肠消化物中腐胺浓度显著降低(P<0.01).采食粗蛋白水平为24%的仔猪有轻度腹泻现象.上述结果提示,适当降低断奶仔猪日粮粗蛋白水平并平衡主要必需氨基酸,有利于降低肠道有害菌群的增殖,改善肠道健康状况.     

树舌发酵浸膏对肉鸡盲肠微生物菌群及SCFA的影响

为研究肉鸡日粮中添加树舌[Ganoderma applanatum(Pers.ex Gray.)Pat.]发酵浸膏对肉鸡盲肠道微生物菌群及短链脂肪酸的影响,选用1日龄AA肉鸡225只,随机分为5个处理组,即空白组(基础日粮)、抗生素组(基础日粮中添加5 mg/kg黄霉素)、3个剂量的GAC添加组(基础日粮中分别添加1.57,3.15,6.29 g/100 g的GAC),每个处理3组重复,每组重复15只。试验期42 d。结果表明:肉鸡21日龄时,各GAC添加组沙门氏菌显著低于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组乳酸杆菌显著高于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组盲肠乙酸、丙酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05);6.29%GAC添加组盲肠丁酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05)。肉鸡42日龄时,1.57%和6.29%GAC添加组沙门氏菌显著低于空白组(P0.05),6.29%GAC添加组效果较好;各GAC添加组乳酸杆菌显著高于空白组(P0.05)。1.57%与6.29%GAC添加组盲肠乙酸、丙酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05);各GAC添加组盲肠丁酸浓度显著高于空白组(P0.05)。以上结果提示,GAC在肉鸡生长过程中可以增加肠道短链脂肪酸浓度,促进肠道乳酸杆菌的增殖,抑制沙门氏菌的生长,具有改善肠道菌群的作用。     

Effect of inulin supplementation on selected gastric, duodenal, and caecal microbiota and short chain fatty acid pattern in growing piglets

We explored whether bifidobacteria and lactobacilli numbers and other selected bacteria in the upper intestine and the caecum of growing pigs were affected by diet and intake of inulin. Starting at two weeks after weaning (28 d) 72 pigs were fed two types of diets (wheat/barley (WB) or maize/gluten (MG)), without or with 3% inulin (WB + I, MG + I) for three and six weeks. Intestinal bacteria were quantified by fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization (n = 8/group). Duration of feeding had no effect on the variables tested, so data for both periods were pooled. Gastric total bacteria amounted to log(10) 7.4/g digesta. Bifidobacteria were detected in stomach and duodenum two weeks after weaning and disappeared thereafter. In jejunum and caecum bifidobacteria were present at a level of log(10) 7.0/g digesta. Inulin did not alter numbers of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, enterococci, enterobacteria and bacteria of the Clostridium coccoides/Eubacterium rectale-group. Inulin disappearance in stomach plus jejunum was higher with the MG diet (73.7 vs. 60.7%, p = 0.013). Caecal acetate was lower in inulin-supplemented diets (p < 0.05) whereas propionate and butyrate were higher in pigs fed the WB diets (p < 0.05). With the WB diet total caecal short chain fatty acids concentration was higher which resulted in a lower pH value (p < 0.05).     

Effect of a starter diet supplementation with mannan-oligosaccharide or inulin on health status, caecal metabolism, digestibility of nutrients and growth of early weaned rabbits

The effect of a dietary supplementation with mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS, Bio-Mos, Alltech Inc.) and inulin (Frutafit® IQ) on growth, health, and caecal traits was studied on 348 rabbits (Hyplus®), weaned at 25 days of age. Three hundred and thirty rabbits (110 per group) were used for the health status and growth performance trial, while 18 rabbits (six per group) were used for caecal metabolism evaluation at the age of 42 days of age. Three diets were formulated: C (control), M (0.3% MOS) and I diet (4% inulin). Digestibility of the diets was measured in 10 rabbits per group between 36 and 40 days of age. The control diet was fed to rabbits of the C group from weaning to 74 days of age (slaughter). Diets M and I were fed to rabbits of the respective group from weaning to 46 days of age, then were fed with control diet till slaughter. From 25 to 46 days of age, the weight gain was slightly higher in control rabbits ( P = 0.11), while no differences were recorded for the whole period. No differences among groups in the mortality, which was high due to an enteropathy-infected environment, were significant. The lowest morbidity ( P = 0.05) as well as the health risk index were recorded in rabbits fed the diet with inulin ( P = 0.03). After change of diet, the health risk index increased in the rabbits previously fed the diet with additives, thereby no significant differences in the health status were recorded for the whole period. Total caecal volatile fatty acids concentration was higher ( P < 0.01) and the pH ( P < 0.01) and ammonia concentration ( P = 0.01) lower in rabbits fed the inulin diet than in other rabbits. In these animals, acetate molar proportion was higher ( P = 0.01) and that of propionate as well as the propionate/butyrate ratio significantly lower than in other rabbits. Butyrate molar proportion was higher in rabbits fed the diet with MOS ( P < 0.01). In rabbits fed the inulin diet a higher activity of inulinase was recorded ( P < 0.001) than in other rabbits. A significantly lower digestibility of cellulose was observed in rabbits fed the diet with MOS. The results of our study suggest the importance of using inulin-type fructans in the nutrition of young rabbits. The higher health risk index of rabbits after change of diets indicates that prebiotics should be given for a longer time during the fattening period.     

Enrichment of bifidobacteria in the hen caeca by dietary inulin

Caecal bifidobacterial concentration was increased more than 3-fold in inulin-treated laying hens. The counts of bifidobacteria in birds fed as the control were 9.64, in inulin-diet fed ones 10.17 log CFU/g of caecal content, respectively. Dietary inulin had no effect on caecal microbial metabolite concentration. The proportion of inulin-fermenting bifidobacteria in the total bifidobacteria increased 2-fold in inulin-treated birds.     

Effects of feeding antibiotic-free creep feed supplemented with oligofructose, probiotics or synbiotics to suckling piglets increases the preweaning weight gain and composition of intestinal microbiota

The objective of this study was to determine whether feeding an antibiotic-free creep feed supplemented with either oligofructose, probiotics or synbiotics to suckling piglets influences growth performance, the gut microflora, gut morphology and hematological traits at weaning. Twenty sows with 10 piglets each were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. The treatments consisted of a control (antibiotic-free) diet, 0.2% oligofructose (OF), 0.3% probiotics or 0.5% synbiotics (mixture of 0.2% OF+0.3% probiotics). Piglets were offered the diet ad libitum from 7 d after birth until one day after weaning (21 d of age). At the day after weaning, blood samples were collected from the jugular vein to determine the immune response. Digesta samples of the ileum and colon were collected to determine the microbial composition. Tissue segments from the duodenum and ileum were collected for morphometric measurements of the small intestine. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher for piglets fed the OF or synbiotics diet compared with the pigs fed the control diet. The hematological traits (the concentration of lymphocytes and neutrophils in whole blood) were not affected by the diet. Piglets fed the OF, probiotics or synbiotics diet had a significantly decreased number of total coliform bacteria in the colon. Feeding OF, probiotics or synbiotics significantly increased the population of bifidobacteria in the ileum compared to the control. In the colon, the probiotics and synbiotics diet significantly increased the number of bifidobacteria compared with the control diet. The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of oligofructose or synbiotics to an antibiotic-free creep feed during the preweaning period affected gut microbial population and performance of piglets.     

Effect of purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) diet supplementation in rabbit nutrition on performance,digestibility, health and meat quality

In this study, 160 Hycole weaned rabbits (35 days old) were randomly divided into four groups of 40. The rabbits were studied throughout a 54-day experimentation period in order to determine the impact of dietary supplementation from herbs composed of 0.2%, 0.4% dry ground Lythrum salicaria leaves (LS) and 0.3% Cunirel® (CR; a commercial herb mixture containing LS as the main ingredient) on performance, digestibility, health and meat quality. The basal diet was given to the control group. No significant differences were found in performance, 10 rabbits from each group were selected for evaluation regarding apparent digestibility. The rabbits fed the control diet and the diet with the low level of LS had a higher level of CP digestibility than did the animals that were supplemented with the high LS levels and CR (85.7% and 84.9% v. 84.0% and 84.0%, respectively; P<0.05). The ether extract digestibility was lower in the treatment group with 0.4%LS addition and CR as compared with the control group (52.2% and 54.5% v. 62.6%, respectively; P<0.05). The slaughter process was performed on 89-day-old rabbits to study the carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters, caecal contents and gut histology. The total leukocyte counts in the control animals were lower than they were in the rabbits fed 0.2%, 0.4%LS and CR (4.06 v. 8.25, 8.63 and 8.21×10⁹/l, respectively; P<0.05). For caecal fermentation, the caecal contents of the rabbits fed 0.4% of LS, showed higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA; 24.1 v. 18.9 mg/kg dry matter (DM); P<0.05) and acetic acid (18.3 v. 14.4 mg/kg DM; P<0.05), but lower ammonia levels (594 v. 892 mg/kg DM; P<0.05) as compared with the control group. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analyses were performed to evaluate the microbial community in hard faeces, collected at days 35, 42, 49, 56, 70 and 89, whereas the caecal contents were taken after slaughtering. The results demonstrated that between the treatment groups, the similarity of the microbial communities was higher as compared with the control group. Moreover, only age was shown to influence microbiota diversity. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that supplementation of LS in rabbit diets leads to an increase in the total white blood cells, total VFA and acetic acid concentration, and a decrease in the ammonia levels, as well as the digestibility when CR and high level of LS were supplemented, without causing any adverse effects on other parameters.     

Different effects of difructose anhydride III and inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota in rats

The effects of different kinds of inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota were evaluated in rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet, or diets containing 5% inulin, 5% fructooligosaccharides (FOS), or 5% difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) for two weeks. In the DFAIII group, caecal propionate, butyrate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the inulin group, while caecal propionate, succinate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the FOS group. Compared to controls, in the DFAIII group the counts of clostridia in caecum were increased by 3 log units. However, this change was statistically not significant. There were no differences between inulin and FOS groups for the pool of short chain fatty acids in caecum and bacterial counts. Results indicate that DFAIII has different effects on caecal microbiota compared to inulin and FOS and that these differences are most likely due to the alpha(3-->2) bonds in DFAIII.     

Different effects of difructose anhydride III and inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota in rats

Abstract

The effects of different kinds of inulin-type fructans on caecal microbiota were evaluated in rats. Four groups of male Wistar rats were fed either a control diet, or diets containing 5% inulin, 5% fructooligosaccharides (FOS), or 5% difructose anhydride III (DFAIII) for two weeks. In the DFAIII group, caecal propionate, butyrate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the inulin group, while caecal propionate, succinate, counts of bifidobacteria, and total anaerobes were lower than in the FOS group. Compared to controls, in the DFAIII group the counts of clostridia in caecum were increased by 3 log units. However, this change was statistically not significant. There were no differences between inulin and FOS groups for the pool of short chain fatty acids in caecum and bacterial counts. Results indicate that DFAIII has different effects on caecal microbiota compared to inulin and FOS and that these differences are most likely due to the α(3→2) bonds in DFAIII.     

Effects of age and mannanoligosaccharides supplementation on production of volatile fatty acids in the caecum of rabbits

This trial studied the effect of including mannanoligosaccharides (MOS, Bio-Mos^®, Alltech Inc., USA) in the diet on the caecal volatile fatty acids (VFA) and pH of rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age. Three experimental diets were compared: control diet, zinc bacitracin (ZnBac) diet (control diet with 0.1 g ZnBac/kg feed) and MOS diet (control diet with 2.0 g MOS/kg feed). Rabbits were slaughtered at 34, 48, 69 and 90 days of age and caecal contents were collected and analyzed for dry matter, pH and VFA concentration. The empty caecum and caecal contents weights relative to live weight were also determined.Age affected (P<0.0001) VFA concentration and pH values in the caecum. The pH decreased with age whereas VFA concentration increased. Rabbits fed MOS had higher (P<0.05) VFA and tended (P=0.098) to had lower pH in the caecum than rabbits fed ZnBac and control diets. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids concentrations in the caecum increased with MOS but its molar proportions were similar among diets. Diet had no effect on empty caecum weight and caecal contents weight and dry matter concentration. There was no interaction effect between diet and age. From 34 to 90 days of age, VFA production was higher (P<0.05) in the caecum of rabbits fed MOS than in those fed ZnBac diet and control diet.The addition of MOS to the diet increased the VFA concentration in the caecum of growing rabbits from 34 to 90 days of age.     

Effects of high dietary cellulose on the large intestinal microflora and short-chain fatty acids in rats

Wistar rats fed diets containing different contents of cellulose or 5% transgalactosylated oligosaccharides (TOS) for 7 weeks were examined for faecal microflora and caecal short-chain fatty acids. High (15%) cellulose diet showed remarkable increases in concentrations of faecal bifidobacteria and caecal butyrate with a reduced concentration of propionate as compared with the other diets. TOS-fed rats showed strikingly increased concentrations of bifidobacteria and acetate. A comparison of pH values between the caecal contents and faeces suggested more fermentation of cellulose in the distal than proximal part of the large bowel of rats.     

Maturation of the intestinal digestion and of microbial activity in the young rabbit: impact of the dietary fibre:starch ratio.

The developmental changes of intestinal digestive potential and caecal microbial activity were described in suckling and weaned rabbits according to two feeding programmes. Two groups of thirteen litters were fed from 18 to 42 days old a "High" or a "Medium" NDF:starch ratio diet (resp. 2.7 vs 2.0, groups HL and ML) with similar protein and lipid levels, and from 42 to 70 days old the two groups were fed a "Low" NDF:starch ratio diet (1.7). From 25 to 32 days (weaning), the milk and solid feed intake were 22% and 41% higher in ML group (P<0.05), and the mortality by diarrhoea was 4 units lower (P<0.01). The whole tract digestive efficiency increased by 10% before weaning, and remained steady (organic matter) or decreased (lipids, protein) after weaning. Energy digestibility was 0.623 and 0.686 for High and Medium diets respectively. From 25 to 42 days, total enzymatic activity in intestinal content increased for chymotrypsin (5-fold, P<0.001), lipase (10-fold, P<0.001), amylase (17-fold, P<0.01) and maltase (11-fold, P<0.001), while trypsin doubled after weaning. The feeding programme only affected the amylase and maltase activities, that were higher in HL group (P<0.05). The volatile fatty acids concentration in the caecum was not significantly different among the groups, but it increased by 44% 10 days after weaning. The bacterial fibrolytic enzymes, increased by 30% after weaning and were similar among the two groups. The study revealed that the intestinal digestive maturation and the caecal microbial activity of the rabbit evolved markedly between 3 and 5 weeks of age, and was weakly affected when the NDF:starch ratio decreased from 2.7 to 2.0.