Ethanolic Propolis Extract versus Sulfonamides: Productive Performance and Intestinal Morphometry in Growing Rabbits
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55204/trc.v6i2.e680Keywords:
ethanolic extract, intestinal health, intestinal morphometry, propolis, rabbits, sulfonamidesAbstract
Introduction: Preventive antimicrobial use in rabbit farming requires natural alternatives that maintain productive performance without overstating their effects. Objective: To evaluate ethanolic propolis extract (EPE) compared with a control and sulfonamides on productivity, cecal pH, and intestinal morphometry in growing rabbits. Methods: Thirty New Zealand × California hybrid rabbits weaned at 35 days of age were used. After seven days of adaptation, they received for 31 days T0: 1 mL/day propylene glycol; T1: 37.5 mg/day EPE in propylene glycol; or T2: sulfonamides at 0.25 g/L in drinking water plus propylene glycol. A completely randomized design, ANOVA, and Tukey’s test at 5% were applied. Results: No differences were detected in final weight, daily gain, carcass traits, or cecal pH. Daily gain was 26.82, 29.59, and 26.30 g/day for T0, T1, and T2. T1 showed greater intestinal length and weight than T2 and higher duodenal villus length, villus width, and crypt depth (p < 0.0001). No changes were observed in the jejunum or ileocecal region. Conclusions: EPE showed a localized duodenal morphometric response without a statistically demonstrated productive improvement.
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