The beneficial effects of probiotics on rabbit’s productivity and health – a review

The prohibition of using of antibiotics as growth promoters makes weaned rabbits particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal illnesses. Interest in using natural antibiotic substitutes in rabbit industry has grown recently. Probiotic is one of the most promising alternates to antibiotic growth promoters. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are added to rabbits’ feed. Because probiotics can maintain a balanced microbial environment in the intestinal tract, scientists have focused a lot of emphasis on their advantages. Dietary probiotics may improve intestinal immunity, physiological function, gut structural integrity, and general health. Probiotics also contribute in improving the antioxidative status by decreasing lipid peroxidation and activating antioxidative enzymes. Additionally, dietary probiotic microorganisms have the power to control pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the individual as well as innate and acquired immunity. Interestingly, probiotics help in reducing the negative impacts of stress factors in rabbits. The present review is an attempt to explain the recent results linked to the profits of probiotics on intestinal microbiome, intestinal architecture, nutrients’ digestion and absorption, antioxidative status, immune responsiveness and productivity in rabbits.