EFFECT OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF YEAST ( Saccharomyces cerevisiae ) ON DIGESTIBILITY AND GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF RABBITS FED DIETS OF DIFFERENT FIBRE CONTENT

[EN] Thirty two laboratory strain New Zealand White rabbits aged about 6 weeks were divided into 4 equal groups. Rabbits were fed diets of 9. 73 % (/DM) fibre in group 1 and 2, and 12.86 % fibre in group 3 and 4. Yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) ata rate of 5 x 1oa cells /animal /day was given orally to group 1 and 3. Dry matter intake was significantly (P<0.01) higher in the rabbits given high fibra diet but tlie digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, ether extract, nitrogen free extract and feed conversion efficiency were significantly better in the animals given low fibre diet. Adminisfration of yeast culture had no effect on weight gain or digestibility of nutrients.[FR] Trente deux lapins de laboratoire de race Néo Zélandais Blancs b.gés d'environ 6 semaines, ont été répartis en 4 groupes égaux. Ces lapins ont rer;u des régimes contenant 9,73 % pour les groupes 1et2, et 12,86 % de cellulose brute (!MS) pour les groupes 3 et 4. La culture de levure /Saccharomyces cerevisiae), au taux de 5 x 1()8 ce/fules /animal/jour, a été donnée oralement aux grou~s 1 et 3. La matiere seche ingérée était significativement (P