EFFECT OF INULIN SUPPLEMENTATION ON CAECAL MICROFLORA AND FERMENTATION IN RABBITS

Oligosaccharide-based prebiotics, like inulin, are intensively examined as alternatives for antibiotics in rabbits. The aim of the present experiment was to study the effect of dietary supplementation with inulin on the caecal microflora, fibrolytic activity, and production of volatile fatty acids. Pannon White rabbits (n=180) were divided into three groups at weaning (28th day of age) and fed ad libitum. Experimental diets were already fed one week before weaning. The control group (C) was fed a standard basal diet with no supplementation; group M received the same but medicated (1 mg/kg diclazuril, 500 mg/kg oxytetracycline and 50 mg/kg tiamulin) diet, while 4 % inulin (Frutafit, HD, Brenntag, Budapest) at the expense of barley was added into the diet of the Inulin (I) group. The diets were similar in the level of crude protein, fat and fibre fractions, while diet I differed in starch and sugar content. At 28, 35 and 42 days of age, 6 healthy animals from each group were randomly selected and caecal microflora and fermentation pattern were examined. Body weight (BW) at the age of 28 and 35 days was not significantly different, but at 42 d of age a lower (P<0.05) LW was measured in group I. Considering the whole experimental period the weight gain (36±13 g/day) was the smallest and the feed conversion was the greatest (2.46±0.46 g/g) in group I. The incidence o