Assessing The Possible Interaction Between Carduus Marianus And Dietary Deoxynivalenol On Caecal Microbiota And Fermentation Of Growing Rabbits

Contamination of feed with mycotoxins is a common problem encountered in animal farming. Mycotoxin exposure can affect adversely the health of animals. In rabbits caecal fermentation is an essential digestive process being indication of physiological alterations. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most frequent contaminants of grains which affect the growth of monogastric animals. Data about dietary DON and its effect in rabbits are scarce. Medicinal plants are often used as feed additives to enhance the performance of the animals. Carduus marianus (milk thistle) is known for its hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects (among others) but no data are available about the effect on rabbit caecum. Considering the aforementioned, the aim of this study was to assess the possible interactive effect of Carduus marianus and DON on the caecum of growing rabbits. 75 Pannon White rabbits were reared for six weeks from 35 (after weaning) till 77 days of age. Rabbits received the following diets: control (C), control with DON (CT), control supplemented with C. marianus in 0,5% (H1), control supplemented with C. marianus in 0,5% and DON (H1T), control supplemented with C. marianus in 1% (H2) and control supplemented with C. marianus in 1% and DON (H2T). On slaughter, caecum was collected for the analysis of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and the microbiota of the caecum, pH of the caecum was also recorded. There was no significant difference in total VFA concentration or individual VFA. Number of aerobic bacteria significantly differed among toxin and non-toxin groups. DON affected adversely the number of aerobic bacteria. An interactive effect of DON and Carduus marianus on E.coli number was observed. There was no effect on total or individual VFA amounts.