Effects of mannan-oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus acidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves.

Abstract

A study of 120days was undertaken to ascertain the effect of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and Lactobacillusacidophilus supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves. Twenty Murrah buffalo calves of 5-7 days old and 31±2.0kg of body weight (BW) were randomly assigned into four groups. Group I served as the control (CON) in which only basal diet (concentrate mixture and green fodder) was provided, without any supplementation. Mannan-oligosaccharides at 4g/calf/day were supplemented as prebiotic to Group II (PRE), whereas Group III (PRO) received Lactobacillusacidophilus in the form of fermented milk as probiotic at 200ml/calf/day having 108 CFU/ml and Group IV (SYN) was supplemented with both MOS and Lactobacillusacidophilus as synbiotic at similar dose. Final BW (kg), dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion efficiency and structural growth measurements were improved (p<.05) in the treatment groups compared to control. Digestibility of neutral detergent fibre was higher (p<.05) in SYN followed by PRE and PRO than control. The faecal lactobacilli and bifidobacterium population was higher (p<.05) in all the supplemented groups with a concomitant reduction in faecal coliform count as compared to control. Faecal ammonia, lactate and pH were also altered favourably (p<.05) in all the supplemented groups as compared to CON. The faecal volatile fatty acids were higher (p<.05) in PRE, PRO and SYN group than CON. The incorporation of MOS and Lactobacillusacidophilus in diet either individually or in combination as synbiotic has the potential to improve the performance and faecal characteristics in Murrah buffalo calves; however, the observed responses among the treatment groups were more evident in the synbiotic fed group compared to individual supplementation of MOS and Lactobacillusacidophilus.