The use of Thymi Herba as feed additive (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%) in weanling piglets with assessment of the shedding of haemolysing E. coli and the detection of thymol in the blood plasma.
Thymi Herba (Thymus vulgaris, rubbed) was given as feed additive to weanling piglets. 3 concentrations (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) were tested against a control group. Rectal swabs were collected weekly and were sent in for bacterial testing. The shedding of haemolysing E. coli was evaluated. There was no significant difference in the shedding of haemolysing E. coli between the 4 groups. Neither was there a difference in the distribution of the various serotypes. Thymol was detected in the blood plasma in all thyme groups. The increase in thymol level with greater amounts of thyme herb was significant. Three days after withdrawal of the feed additive no thymol levels were detected. The study results did not reveal any effects on haemolysing E. coli in the gut.
Hagmüller
Werner
W
Institute for Organic Agriculture and Biodiversity of Large Animals, Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg-Gumpenstein, Wels, Austria. werner.hagmueller@raumberg-gumpenstein.at
Jugl-Chizzola
Martina
M
Zitterl-Eglseer
Karin
K
Gabler
Cornelia
C
Spergser
Joachim
J
Chizzola
Remigius
R
Franz
Chlodwig
C
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013943:Thymol / Q000097:blood*; D046930:Thymus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014886:Weaning
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013943:Thymol