Effect of novel trace elements on liver and kidney functions, immunity, antioxidant indices and caecal microbiota of growing rabbits

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the impact of supplementing water with Novel Trace Elements Mixture (NTEM) on the caecal microbiota and immunological and antioxidant indices of growing rabbits. The study utilized 72 weaning male V-line rabbits that were seven weeks old. The study randomly assigned rabbits into four treatment groups, each containing 18 rabbits with six replicates. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four treatment groups: a control group receiving unsupplemented drinking water and three experimental groups receiving drinking water supplemented with NTEM at levels of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mL/L, respectively. The NTEM stock solution consisted of 5.0 mL of 1.84% aqueous Fe-EDTA, 0.29 g of ZnSO 4 •7H 2 O, 1.7 g of MnSO 4 •H 2 O, 0.8 g of CuSO 4 , and 1.8 g of H 3 BO 3 dissolved in 1 L of deionized water. Addition of NTEM at 1 and 1.5 ml/L increased the alkaline phosphatase, while decreased alanine aminotransferase compared to control. Rabbits' drinking water with NTEM led to an increase in serum total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, a reduction in total bacterial count was observed by adding NTEM levels in drinking water. NTEM at 1.5 ml/L in drinking water reduced E. coli count compared to control and other groups. In conclusion, adding NTEM to drinking water of rabbits showed notable benefits on some parameters of liver and kidney functions, antioxidant and immunity status, as well as the cecal bacterial count especially at levels 1 and 1.5 ml/ L.