Effect of mannan oligosaccharide addition to whole milk on growth and health of Holstein calves

C Uzmay,S S Önenç,H Özkul,I Kaya,A Kiliç,M Polat

doi:10.5194/aab-54-127-2011

Abstract

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) mixed in the whole milk on the growth and health of calves. Forty Holstein calves (20 male, 20 female) were randomly assigned, within sex, to one of two groups at 5 d of age. Calves were fed fresh, warm whole milk (control) or fresh, warm whole milk supplemented with MOS (4 g of Bio-Mos per calf daily at a.m. feeding). Calves were fed 4 L of whole milk per day in two equal feedings for 6 weeks. Pelleted calf starter and fresh water were available ad libitum during the experiment. No hay was fed. Body weights (BW) were measured at the beginning of the experiment and then weekly till the end of the experiment. Height at withers, heart girth, withers to pins, and point of shoulder to pins were measured at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Fecal fluidity scores and respiratory condition were monitored daily. Intake of whole milk was similar between the groups (P>0.10). Although there was no significant difference in starter intakes (P>0.10), calves in MOS treatment consumed 19.9 % more calf starter than calves in control diet (499.2 vs. 416.5 g/d) for 26 to 46 d of age. BW gains for various age periods were unaffected by treatment (P>0.10). However, calves in MOS treatment gained 11.2 % more BW than calves in control diet (627.4 vs. 564.2 g/d) from 26 to 46 d of age. Skeletal growth and feed efficiencies were similar for calves in both groups. No respiratory problems in calves in both groups occurred during the experiment. Fecal fluidity scores, percent calf days with scours and percent calf days treated for scours were unaffected by treatment (P>0.10). However, calf scours was a common problem especially during the first 3 weeks of the experiment. The reason for this may have been that calf scours had been a common problem at the location of the experiment for many years. This suggests that there must have been a significant enteric challenge for calves at this location. Even under these stressful conditions, MOS in whole milk did not elicit an improvement in enteric health in the circumstances of this location. Although there were no significant differences between the groups, the results suggest that starter intake and consequently BW gain from 26 to 46 d of age tended to be improved in calves in MOS group compared with calves in control group.

Highlights

Various dietary supplements have been used in ruminant animal production for several purposes (Kaufhold et al 2000, Quigley et al 2002, Ayışığı et al 2005, Holló et al 2008, Ardalan et al 2010)
Antibiotics are extensively used in milk replacer (MR) for calves (Heinrichs et al 1995, Newman 2002a)
Because of the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and humans some researchers, consumers, and government officials promote the elimination of sub-therapeutic antibiotic use in animal production (Newman 2002a, Newman 2002b)

Summary

Introduction

Various dietary supplements have been used in ruminant animal production for several purposes (Kaufhold et al 2000, Quigley et al 2002, Ayışığı et al 2005, Holló et al 2008, Ardalan et al 2010). Because of the potential development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals and humans some researchers, consumers, and government officials promote the elimination of sub-therapeutic antibiotic use in animal production (Newman 2002a, Newman 2002b). Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in animal production have become important. Oligosaccharides have been proposed as one of the alternatives to antibiotics. Most commonly available oligosaccharides are fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), and another potential product is galactosyl-lactose (Quigley 2004)

Objectives

Methods

Results