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Dietary Addition of Tributyrin Improved the Production Performance, Antioxidant Ability and Intestinal Health in
Nanbin Zhang1, Xianghui Li1, Huijie Xu1
1Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Efficient Feeding, Department of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian 271017, China.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|July 12, 2025
Summary
Dietary tributyrin supplementation improved rabbit growth and gut health. The optimal level of 0.2% tributyrin enhanced average daily gain, reduced diarrhea, and boosted antioxidant levels in liver and serum.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Nutritional Science
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Weaned rabbits are susceptible to intestinal dysfunction and reduced growth performance.
- Tributyrin, a butyric acid ester, is known for its potential gut health benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of dietary tributyrin on growth, antioxidant status, and intestinal health in weaned rabbits.
- To determine the optimal dietary level of tributyrin for weaned rabbits.
Main Methods:
- 1280 weaned Hyla rabbits were fed diets with 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, or 0.4% tributyrin for 36 days.
- Evaluated growth performance (ADG, FBW), carcass and liver weights, antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-PX, T-SOD), and intestinal morphology (V/C).
- Assessed intestinal permeability markers (serum DAO, D-lactic acid).
Main Results:
- 0.2% tributyrin significantly increased average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (FBW), while reducing diarrhea rate.
- Tributyrin supplementation increased liver and serum antioxidant enzyme activities (GSH-PX, T-SOD).
- Improved intestinal morphology (villus height/crypt depth) in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and decreased intestinal permeability markers.
Conclusions:
- Dietary tributyrin enhances growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in weaned rabbits.
- Tributyrin supplementation effectively reduces diarrhea and improves intestinal barrier function.
- The optimal dietary level of tributyrin for weaned rabbits is determined to be 0.2%.
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