Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes
IntroductionHydroponic barley (HB) has emerged as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient; however, its effects on rabbit physiology and gut health remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary HB, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the growth performance, cecal...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1615198/full |
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| author | Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Esraa M. H. Mohamed Hamdy A. Hassan Rokia B. Elamary Zainab Al-Amgad Jayant Lohakare |
| author_facet | Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Esraa M. H. Mohamed Hamdy A. Hassan Rokia B. Elamary Zainab Al-Amgad Jayant Lohakare |
| author_sort | Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionHydroponic barley (HB) has emerged as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient; however, its effects on rabbit physiology and gut health remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary HB, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the growth performance, cecal microbiota, and organ histology of growing rabbits.MethodsSixty male Hy-Plus rabbits were randomly allocated to one of three dietary groups: a control group, a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley (CHB), and a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of AXTRA XB enzymes (CHBE). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days. Growth performance parameters, serum biochemistry, cecal microbiota, and histological features of the liver and intestines were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.ResultsRabbits fed the CHB and CHBE diets showed significant improvements in body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Both treatment groups exhibited beneficial modulation of cecal microbiota, with increased Lactobacillus spp. and reduced Escherichia coli populations. Serum biochemical profiles were improved, as evidenced by lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and cholesterol. Histological examination revealed normal liver and intestinal structures in all treatment groups.DiscussionIncorporating 25% hydroponic barley, with or without enzyme supplementation, improved growth performance, enhanced gut microbiota composition, and supported organ health in growing rabbits. These findings support the potential of hydroponic barley as a functional and sustainable feed ingredient in rabbit production. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-d5dba164ec034f25a49c7d2c35d0a7292025-07-18T15:17:22ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-07-011210.3389/fvets.2025.16151981615198Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymesAhmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth0Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth1Esraa M. H. Mohamed2Hamdy A. Hassan3Rokia B. Elamary4Zainab Al-Amgad5Jayant Lohakare6Department of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, EgyptPoultry Center, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United StatesDepartment of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, EgyptDepartment of Animal and Poultry Production, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, EgyptDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Luxor University, Luxor, EgyptGeneral Authority for Veterinary Services, Qena Veterinary Directorate, Qena, EgyptPoultry Center, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, United StatesIntroductionHydroponic barley (HB) has emerged as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient; however, its effects on rabbit physiology and gut health remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dietary HB, with or without enzyme supplementation, on the growth performance, cecal microbiota, and organ histology of growing rabbits.MethodsSixty male Hy-Plus rabbits were randomly allocated to one of three dietary groups: a control group, a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley (CHB), and a group receiving 25% hydroponic barley supplemented with 0.5 g/kg of AXTRA XB enzymes (CHBE). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days. Growth performance parameters, serum biochemistry, cecal microbiota, and histological features of the liver and intestines were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA.ResultsRabbits fed the CHB and CHBE diets showed significant improvements in body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. Both treatment groups exhibited beneficial modulation of cecal microbiota, with increased Lactobacillus spp. and reduced Escherichia coli populations. Serum biochemical profiles were improved, as evidenced by lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine, and cholesterol. Histological examination revealed normal liver and intestinal structures in all treatment groups.DiscussionIncorporating 25% hydroponic barley, with or without enzyme supplementation, improved growth performance, enhanced gut microbiota composition, and supported organ health in growing rabbits. These findings support the potential of hydroponic barley as a functional and sustainable feed ingredient in rabbit production.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1615198/fullhydroponic barleymicrobiotahistologyphysiologyenzymerabbit |
| spellingShingle | Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Ahmed A. A. Abdel-Wareth Esraa M. H. Mohamed Hamdy A. Hassan Rokia B. Elamary Zainab Al-Amgad Jayant Lohakare Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes Frontiers in Veterinary Science hydroponic barley microbiota histology physiology enzyme rabbit |
| title | Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| title_full | Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| title_fullStr | Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| title_short | Modulation of growth, gut microbiota, and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| title_sort | modulation of growth gut microbiota and health markers in rabbits fed hydroponic barley with or without enzymes |
| topic | hydroponic barley microbiota histology physiology enzyme rabbit |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1615198/full |
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