Probióticos, prebióticos e simbióticos para coelhos em crescimento

Abstract

Rabbits in the growth phase have sensitivity in their digestive tract, due to postweaning stress, and this means that pathogenic microorganisms can easily cause digestive disorders such as diarrhea, and consequently reduce weight gain or even cause death in the animal. To get around this situation, the use of additives that improve intestinal health in the diet of rabbits, such as probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics, can be a good strategy to reduce mortality and increase performance. The objective of this literature review is to present researches with these zootechnical additives when supplied to growing rabbits and how they can benefit them. Probiotics are microorganisms that favor the hosts through different mechanisms of action, reducing the pathogenic load and improving the immune response. Prebiotics are oligosaccharides that serve as a substrate for beneficial microorganisms to develop and proliferate. Symbiotics are the products of a combination of both probiotics and prebiotics. Overall, these additives benefit growing rabbits, most notably by improving gut health. In the case of probiotics, studies show significant improvements in performance and digestibility, however there are some disagreements, and several factors can influence their action in the body, especially the type of microorganism used. Prebiotics and symbiotics seem to act better in rabbits than probiotics alone, but this will also depend on the influence of different aspects, even if some studies show the absence of effects. Probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics can be fed to growing rabbits.