Effect of thymol and Enterocin M administration on biochemical, antioxidant and immunological parameters, small intestinal morphology and microbiota in rabbits.

To find natural feed additives with a beneficial effect on rabbit health, thymol alone and in combination with Enterocin M were administered in drinking water for 42 days (35 -77 days of age). A total of 48 rabbits based on their weight were randomly divided into four experimental groups: C – control (basal diet), T – thymol (250 mg/L), E – Enterocin M (Ent M) (50 μL/animal/day), T + E (thymol with Ent M). Ent M (p <.05) and thymol (p <.01) separately decreased malondialdehyde in the liver. Thymol separately and in combination significantly increased phagocytic activity in the blood (p =.0051) and lactic acid in the caecum (p =.0142) and decreased coagulase-positive staphylococci in the caecum (p =.0329). Ent M separately and in combination increased immunoglobulin A content in the jejunal wall (p =.002) and decreased coliform bacteria in faeces (p =.0002). Thymol and Ent M application separately or in combination improved the antioxidant and immune response of rabbits and demonstrated an antibacterial effect. Thymol demonstrated antibacterial effect against coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) the in caecum, the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) as a product of lipid peroxidation in liver, and a stimulation effect on fermentation the processes in the caecum and on phagocytic activity in blood. Ent M decreased coliform bacteria in faeces and stimulated the production of IgA in jejunum. Ent M together with thymol improved the structure of the jejunal wall and liver function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]