Bovine Colostrum Supplementation in Rabbit Diet Modulates Gene Expression of Cytokines, Gut–Vascular Barrier, and Red-Ox-Related Molecules in the Gut Wall

Simple Summary In this study focused on rabbits, a species that plays crucial roles in the EU as livestock, pets, and laboratory animals, the challenge of bacterial infections has led to a search for alternatives to antibiotics. Bovine colostrum (BC), known for its content in immunoregulatory compounds, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors, has being explored for disease treatment and prevention. Our research investigates the impact of BC diet supplementation on rabbit intestines, particularly examining gene expression. The study reveals that BC has varying effects on different genes in the jejunum, cecum, and colon, influencing inflammatory and antioxidant responses. The findings suggest a potential role for BC in modulating the rabbit gastrointestinal tract, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand its histological and physiological impact.Abstract Rabbits, pivotal in the EU as livestock, pets, and experimental animals, face bacterial infection challenges, prompting a quest for alternatives to curb antibiotic resistance. Bovine colostrum (BC), rich in immunoregulatory compounds, antimicrobial peptides, and growth factors, is explored for disease treatment and prevention. This study assesses BC diet supplementation effects on rabbit intestines, examining gene expression. Thirty female New Zealand White rabbits at weaning (35 days) were divided into three experimental groups: control (commercial feed), 2.5% BC, and 5% BC. The diets were administered until slaughtering (81 days). BC-upregulated genes in the jejunum included IL-8, TGF-beta, and CTNN-beta 1 at 5% BC, while PLVAP at 2.5% BC. Antioxidant-related genes (SOD1, GSR) were downregulated in the cecum and colon with 2.5% BC. BC 5% promoted IL-8 in the jejunum, fostering inflammation and immune cell migration. It also induced genes regulating inflammatory responses (TGF-beta) and gastrointestinal permeability (CTNN-beta 1). BC 5% enhanced antioxidant activity in the cecum and colon, but no significant impact on anti-myxo antibody production was observed. These results suggest that BC has significant effects on the rabbit gastrointestinal tract's inflammatory and antioxidant response, but further research is required to fully understand its histological and physiological impact.