Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in rabbit feeding: a review.

L. Falcão-e-Cunha; L. Castro Solla; L. Maertens; M. Marounek; V. Pinheiro; J. Freire; J.L. Mourão

doi:10.4995/wrs.2007.597

Authors

L. Falcão-e-Cunha Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
L. Castro Solla Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
L. Maertens Inst. Agricultural and Fisheries Res.
M. Marounek Czech Academy of Sciences
V. Pinheiro UTAD-Univ. Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
J. Freire Universidade Técnica de Lisboa
J.L. Mourão UTAD-Univ. Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2007.597

Keywords:

Probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids, rabbits

Abstract

This review is focused on the most studied and developed substances which are commonly knownas alternatives to dietary antibiotics, particularly as far as rabbit feeds are concerned. After a reminder of thereason to be and success of antibiotic growth promoters, and why they lately came to be banned in theEuropean Union, we successively deal with probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes and organic acids. Data on rabbitsare, as expected, quite scarce when compared to species such as pigs and poultry. Nevertheless, theavailable performance results are discussed together with the possible mechanisms of action. Special mentionis made of the effects of these substances on digestibility and caecal activity.