The Effect of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae and Spirulina Platensis on Glutathione and Leucocytes Count in Rabbits

Abstract

Glutathione is the important antioxidant agent that is used for body detoxification system. Because of the fact that ıt is crucial for protectinghealth. A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of natural additives such as live yeast culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) andmicroalgae Spirulina platensis (SP) on the glutathione and leukocytes counts of rabbits. Forty male New Zealand white rabbits, aged 5-6weeks, were studied in 4 groups. Treatments were control group, SC (added 3 g/kg diet), SP (added 5% of the diet) and, SC and SP (added 3g/kg diet and added 5% of the diet) respectively. The experiment lasted for 90 days and the blood samples were obtained by ear venipunctureon the 90th day.In conclusion, according to the results of this study, although not statistically significant, supplementing rabbit with S. cerevisiae or S. platensishad increased on glutathione values. Glutathione tend to be positively correlated with the addition of SC or SP. No significant difference inwhite blood cell counts was evidenced, even if lymphocyte counts tended to increase and neutrophil counts to decrease in rabbits fed SC orSC+SP. The determination of biological consequences (antioxidant potential, resistance to diseases, and improvement of nutritional status)requires further investigations.