Experimental Application of Sage in Rabbit Husbandry

Abstract

Salvia spp. belongs to the Labiatae family and is characterized by antimicrobial and antiinflammatory effect. The aim of this study was to test its in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effect against bacteria as well as to find an alternative possibility to use sage in the rabbit ecosystem examining biochemical, zootechnical and inmunological indicators, compared to the commercial feed mixture Xtract. Using the sage extract in in vitro tests, its inhibitory effect was noted. Under in vivo conditions, in the experimental group with sage (EG1), reduction of Pseudomonas-like sp. (p < 0.01) and E. coli (p < 0.01) was noted after 7 days of sage application compared to the control group CG2 (with Robenidin) as well as after 21 days of sage extract application, when the reduction of coagulase-negative staphylococci (p < 0.01) was detected (in comparison with the experimental group-EG2, Xtract group). In the caecum of rabbits from EG1, higher values of lactic, acetic and butyric acids were noted. The values of propionic acid were not influenced. Biochemical indicators were not influenced; however, the values of GSH Px were lower in EG1 compared to EG2. Higher phagocytic activity (18%) was noted in EG1 than in EG2 (13%) after 21 days of additives application. The reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts was demonstrated in EG1 (sage group) after 7 days of sage application comparing to CG2 (217 OPG to 566 OPG). The animals in both experimental groups achieved higher feed consumption and weight gain, lower mortality compared to both controls. Neither of the additives had a negative influence on the health status and growth performance of rabbits. Oryctolagus cuniculus, in vitro, in vivo, effect, activity Salvia officinalis,

The effect of a dietary herbal extract blend on the performance of broilers challenged with <i>Eimeria</i> oocysts

“…Feed supplementation with 0.1 or 0.5% immunopotential Echinacea purpurea during the first 2 weeks of life has been demonstrated to significantly improve BWG and reduce total lesion scores in vaccinated broilers, as compared with those given a live vaccination alone (Allen, 2003). Similarly, the anticoccidial effect exerted by sage, thyme and their phenols, such as cineol, borneol, thymol and carvacrol has been established (Ibrir et al, 2001;Szaboova et al, 2008).…”

Effect of combined administration of enterocin 4231 and sage in rabbits

“…Rabbits in EG1 received every day (from day 0-1 to day 21) Ent 4231 (prepared according to Lauková et al 1997) in drinking water at a dose of 50 μl/animal/day (1600 AU/ml); rabbits in EG2 received (from day 0-1 to day 21) sage plant extract (Salvia officinalis extract contained 24% of thujone, 18% of borneol, 15% of cineole; Calendula company, Nová L'ubovň a, Slovakia) in drinking water and at a dose of 10 μl/animal/day. This dose was decided to use according to our previous in vitro studies testing an inhibitory activity of sage extract against target of bacteria (Szabóová et al 2008b) as well as this dose was well tolerated by the animals. The animals in EG3 received (from day 0-1 to day 21) the combination of Ent 4231 (50 μl/animal/day, 1600 AU/ml) strain and sage plant extract (10 μl/animal/day).…”

“…Different types of extracts of Salvia officinalis has possessed antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and anti-mutagenic bioactivities (Wang et al 1998, Baricevic et al 2001, Alarcon-Aquilar et al 2002. Based on our previous results (Szabóová 2008b), in this study combined use of Ent 4231 and sage plant extract in rabbits was tested with the aim to detect their antimicrobial activity, immunological and biochemical blood parameters, the values of lactic acid and volatile fatty acids in the content of the caecum, reduction of Eimeria sp. oocysts and selected parameters of rabbit meat.…”

“…Administration of natural substances (bacteriocins or phytoaditives and their essential oils) in rabbits ecosystem offer an acceptable way to prevent and/or overcome bacterial and viral infections as well as to improve welfare, health and meat quality of rabbits (Xu et al 1999, Fichi et al 2007, Szabóová et al 2008a, 2008b. The use of secondary metabolites of plants containing essential oils with inhibitory effects against pathogens represents an alternative approach (Marcin et al 2006).…”

Combined administration of bacteriocin- -producing, probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium CCM7420 with Eleutherococcus senticosus and their effect in rabbits

“…Plant bioactivity has been known and used for centuries, but it is only recently that they have been studied in more detail to understand their production, mode of action, biological effects on livestock production. However, rabbit feed enrichment with phytoadditives is documented (Chrastinová et al 2007, Simonová et al 2008a, Szabóová et al 2008 and to study new herbal species it is required to obtain and widen knowledge of their metabolism and biological effect on the animal in order to evaluate their further use in rabbit breeding. The use of bioactive plants as feed additives alone or in combination with probiotics could be helpful in prevention of impaired immune function and also enhance health status and production in rabbits.…”