Rabbit microbiota along the intestinal tract with bovine colostrum supplementation

The rabbit is a herbivore with a digestive system that anatomically and physiologically has evolved to derive the most nutritionally from low-calorie, fiber-rich foods. Thus, alongside the enzymatic digestion that takes place in the small intestine, the rabbit has intense fermentative activity in the large intestine, particularly in the cecum. The rabbit is a valid model to evaluate the changes induced by the diet in the commensal intestinal bacterial population, as well as the relationships between nutrition and immunological functions, productive and reproductive performance.It is now well known that some food sources, i.e. nutraceuticals, includes biologically active components that can improve not only human health, but also productive and reproductive performance, as well as the welfare of domestic animals. Bovine colostrum (BC), the secretion produced by the mammary gland immediately after birth (commonly treated a by-product of the dairy industry), has only recently been considered as a nutraceutical, since it is very rich in compounds with several biological activities such as antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and growth factors.Despite the extensive use of BC in research, studies on its effect in the gut functions and microbiota are somewhat limited, particularly in rabbits. In this study, we hypothesize that BC-enriched diets influence bacterial richness and diversity of rabbits' digestive system. We also hypothesized that these modifications are dose-dependent. The purpose of this experimental trial was to recognize and compare the luminal and mucosal microbiota composition of different sections of the digestive tract (jejunum, cecum, and colon) of the rabbit fed with diets supplemented with 2.5% and 5% BC as compared to a control diet.