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.