Effects Of Mannan Oligosaccharides Research Articles

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide supplementation on gut health, immunity, and production performance of broilers.

The study was designed to investigate the effect of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on intestinal histomorphology, immunity against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and productive parameters of broilers. A total of 1800, day old broiler chicks of Cobb-500 strain were selected and randomly assorted into 6 treatment groups: T1 (basal diet without antibiotics as negative control); T2 (basal diet plus antibiotics as positive control group); T3 (basal diet plus 200g/ton MOS); T4 (basal diet plus 400g/ton MOS); T5 (basal diet plus 600g/ton MOS) and T6 (basal diet plus 800g/ton MOS). Each treatment was having 6 replicates and the feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that, MOS supplemented birds have significantly higher feed intake, weight gain and FCR (P < 0.05). Similarly, supplementation of MOS showed positive effect on villus height and crypt depth both in jejunum and ilium. Goblet cell density was unaffected by MOS addition (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds fed with diets containing MOS, exhibited better productive performance in comparison to positive and negative control groups. In conclusion, MOS can replace antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) as non-microbial performance-enhancing feed advocates.

Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on growth performance, immune response, and gut health of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides.

Addition of pre- and probiotics may confer growth and health benefits when added to the diet of pigs. To determine the effects of feeding mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and Lactobacillus mucosae (LM) as prebiotic and probiotic sources in weanling pigs under immune challenge, 96 weaned pigs were randomly allotted to 16 experimental pens within a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Control diets with or without 0.1% yeast-derived MOS were randomly assigned to pens and 109 cfu/pig LM broth or a control broth were top-dressed daily. Pigs were fed one of four dietary treatments (control, MOS, LM, and MOS+LM) in Phases I and II (days 0 to 7 and days 7 to 21 postweaning, respectively) and a common diet during Phase III (days 21 to 35 postweaning). On day 14, all pigs were challenged with 100 µg/kg body weight (BW) Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) via intraperitonial injection. Feed disappearance and pig BW were measured weekly. Blood and fecal samples were collected weekly, and additional blood samples were collected on days 1 and 3 post-LPS challenge. On days 15 and 21, one pig per pen was euthanized for collection of ileal mucosa and duodenal and ileal tissue samples. From days 0 to 14, feeding LM decreased gain-to-feed ratio (G:F; P < 0.05). An interaction between LM and MOS was observed for G:F on days 14 to 21 (P < 0.05); G:F in LM (715 g/kg) was greater compared with MOS+LM (P < 0.05; 600 g/kg) and control (P < 0.10; 615 g/kg), but was not different (P > 0.10) from MOS (674 g/kg). After pigs were fed a common diet (days 21 to 35), G:F was decreased (P < 0.05) in the LM treatment groups. Pigs fed diets that included MOS had increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G on days 1 and 3 post-LPS challenge and 2 wk after removal of treatments (P < 0.05) and on days 14 and 21 postweaning (P < 0.10) compared with pigs fed diets without MOS. On day 15, mucosal immunoglobulin G was increased (P < 0.05) in control vs. MOS and LM groups. Circulating IL-1β in control and MOS+LM pigs increased (P < 0.05) on day 1 post-LPS challenge but did not change (P > 0.10) in MOS and LM groups. On day 15, pigs fed LM had decreased (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth compared with pigs fed the control diet. On day 21, fecal propionate and butyrate tended to be lower (P < 0.10) in pigs fed MOS vs. control and MOS+LM diet. These preliminary findings suggest that feeding LM alone improved feed efficiency and ileal morphological structure during the first week of LPS challenge; additionally, feeding LM and MOS may have beneficial effects relative to immune biomarkers.

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide and synbiotic supplementation on growth performance and immune response of Gilthead Sea Bream ( Sparus aurata ) before and after thermal stress

In this study, the effects of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and a commercial synbiotic (Biomin) supplemented diets on growth and survival performance of gilthead sea bream after eight weeks culture at 27ºC and then ten days at 34ºC were evaluated. Before heat stress, the Biomin supplemented diet significantly increased the number of red blood cells (RBC) and eosinophils of the fish. The MOS supplemented diet increased the haematocrit, haemoglobin, lymphocytes, white blood cells (WBC) and monocytes significantly. Total immunoglobulin was significantly higher in both supplemented diets in contrast to the control group. After thermal stress, experimental diets increased the monocyte counts, lysozyme, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of the fish significantly, also the lowest concentration of cortisol was observed in the fish fed with Biomin supplemented diet. Gene expression profile showed a significantly higher expression of innate immune genes (il-1β, ghr-1, tnf-α and igf-1) in fish fed with Biomin and MOS supplemented diets. However, after thermal challenge, inflammatory response was significantly lower the fish fed with the supplemented diets. According to our results, MOS and Biomin supplemented diets enhance the immune health status of the gilthead sea bream during thermal stress.

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharide and Bacillus subtilis supplementation to preweaning Holstein dairy heifers on body weight gain, diarrhea, and shedding of fecal pathogens

The objective of this clinical trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation on average daily weight gain (ADG), duration of diarrhea, age at incidence of diarrhea, fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts, enteric pathogens, and the odds of pneumonia in preweaning dairy heifer calves on a commercial dairy. Feeding prebiotics and probiotics may improve health and production of calves. Hence, healthy Holstein heifer calves (n = 1,801) from a large California dairy were enrolled at 4 to 12 h of age and remained in this study until weaning at 60 d of age. Calves were block randomized to 1 of 4 treatments: (1) control, (2) yeast culture enriched with mannan-oligosaccharide (prebiotic), (3) Bacillus subtilis (probiotic), and (4) combination of both products (synbiotic), which were fed in milk twice daily from enrollment until weaning. Serum total protein at enrollment and body weight at 7, 42, and 56 d of age were measured. Fecal consistency was assessed daily for the entire preweaning period. A subgroup of 200 calves had fecal samples collected at 7, 14, 21, and 42 d for microbial culture and enumeration of Cryptosporidium oocysts by direct fluorescent antibody staining. Synbiotic-treated calves had 19 g increased ADG compared with control calves for overall ADG, from 7 to 56 d. From 42 to 56 d, prebiotic-treated calves had 85 g greater ADG and synbiotic-treated calves had 78 g greater ADG than control calves. There was no difference in duration of the first diarrhea episode, hazard of diarrhea, or odds of pneumonia per calf with treatment. Probiotic-treated calves had 100 times lower fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts at 14 d and prebiotic-treated calves had fewer Escherichia coli and pathogenic E. coli at 42 d compared with control calves. Although there were no effects on duration of diarrhea or pneumonia incidence, greater ADG in the late preweaning period may reflect treatment effects on enteric pathogens during the rearing process. The decreased shedding of Cryptosporidium should reduce infectious pressure, environmental contamination, and public health risks from Cryptosporidium. Our findings suggest ADG and potential health benefits for calves fed prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics and can help the dairy industry make informed decisions on the use of these products in dairy production.

DIETARY MANNAN-OLIGOSACCHARIDE INCREASES REACTIVE OXIGEN SPECIES PRODUCTION BUT DECREASES SERUM LYSOZYME IN HIGH LEVELS OF INCLUSION FOR NILE TILAPIA

In the present experiment, the effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) on health and growth of Nile tilapia juveniles were investigated. In addition to the control treatment (without MOS),three levels of MOS were included in Nile tilapia diets (1, 8, and 15 g kgâˆ"™1), and hematology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, lysozyme and productive parameters were analyzed. Fish blood was sampled at day zero (basal sample) and after 60 days of trial, and the productive parameters were evaluated at the end of the experiment. MOS feeding decreased the feed consumption (p = 0.0299) in fish fed with 1 and 8 g kg-1, but without any alteration in weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR). No changes were observed in the hematology due to MOS feeding after 60 days. However, the prebiotic caused changes in the innate immunity of fish, giving rise to ROS production in fish fed with 1 g kg-1 (p&lt;0.0001) and decreasing the serum lysozyme activity of fish fed with 15 g kg-1 (p&lt;0.0001). In conclusion, the authors recommend the inclusion of 1 g kg-1 for Nile tilapia juveniles feeding due to the positive effect in innate immune system.

The effect of mannanoligosaccharide on the growth performance, histopathology, and the expression of immune and antioxidative related genes in Nile tilapia reared under chlorpyrifos ambient toxicity

The role of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) in reducing the adverse effects of chlorpyrifos (CPF) toxicity in tilapia was evaluated in the present study. Fish were allotted into four groups and fed the basal diet or MOS and exposed to CPF (control, CPF, MOS, and MOS/CPF) for 30 days. Fish fed MOS revealed higher growth and survival rates and lower FCR than CPF-intoxicated fish (P < 0.05). The Hb, PCV, RBCs, and WBCs variables were lowered by CPF toxicity and increased by MOS (P < 0.05). The values of total protein (sTP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), lysozyme (LZM), and phagocytic activities (PA) decreased whereas, ALP, ALT, AST, urea, bilirubin (BIL), and creatinine (CR) were increased by CPF toxicity. However, dietary MOS increased the sTP, ALB, GLB, LZM, and PA and decreased the ALP, ALT, AST, BIL, and CR. The PA and phagocytic index displayed higher levels by MOS feeding than the other groups (P < 0.05). The lowest mRNA level of GPX1 (cellular GPX) gene was observed in fish of the CPF group, while the highest level was shown in the MOS/CPF group (P < 0.05). Fish in the control and CPF groups displayed downregulated CAT whereas the expression of GPX and CAT genes was higher in fish of the MOS/CPF group than fish in the MOS group (P < 0.05). MOS upregulated the expression of HSP70 gene with CPF toxicity. Fish of the CPF and MOS/CPF groups displayed upregulated CASP3, IFN-γ, and IL-8 genes. Fish of the CPF group exhibited the lowest IL-1β, while fish of the MOS/CPF group showed upregulated IL-1β. The intoxication with CPF induced histopathological inflammations in the gills, intestine, and liver tissues, while dietary MOS protected against inflammation. In summary, dietary MOS is recommended as an immunostimulant to counteract the inflammatory impacts of waterborne CPF toxicity in Nile tilapia.

Effect of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and inulin supplementation on the performance and certain physiological parameters of calves reared on milk replacer

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to examine the effects of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) or inulin on fourty-five HF calves’ performance and certain physiological parameters. Next to the control group (15 calves, no treatment), 15–15 calves received 18.7 g/calf/day MOS or inulin supplementation with milk replacer from 1st day of age to weaning. Feed intake was measured daily. Body weight was monitored on days 1, 14, 21 and 60. Blood samples were taken on days 30 and 60 to determine clinicochemical parameters Total faecal counts of the main faecal bacteria contents were determined from faecal samples collected on days 15 and 30. Mean feed intake, body weight and daily weight gain were similar in the groups. Inulin caused lower total protein level of the blood. Faecal concentration of total anaerobic bacteria and Lactobacillus was significantly increased by inulin compared to MOS. Inulin caused higher total aerobic bacteria count in faeces compared to control. The germ count of Clostridium perfringens from calves fed inulin was higher than that of other treatments. It should be stated that higher (18.7 g/day/calf) dietary level of inulin or MOS had minor alterations in parameters and failed to significantly modulate performance and physiological parameters of calves.

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide dietary supplementation on mortality, growth performance and carcass traits in meat Guinea pigs

ABSTRACT The effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) as a dietary supplement on growth performance, carcass traits and mortality in meat guinea pigs were compared to a commonly used antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP, Zn-Bacitracin). The four experimental treatments were as follow: Control group (no additives); MOS 1 (1.5 g kg−1); MOS 2 (2 g kg−1) and AGP (0.1 g kg−1). The guinea pigs were housed in 40 floor pens containing a deep litter of woodchips (n = 100 animals in each trial; 10 animals per pen). Guinea pigs were all weaned on day 28 and their body weight was measured weekly. All animals were slaughtered at the end of fattening period (day 77) and carcass traits were evaluated. Significant differences against the control group were observed for traits studied (P < 0.05). Between MOS groups and AGP no significant differences were observed. In conclusion, the use of MOS could be a suitable replacement for antibiotic growth promoter to raise guinea pigs.

Effect of Mannan Oligosaccharide Prebiotic Supplementation on Growth and Production Performance of Broiler Chickens

Effect of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on growth and production performance of broiler chickens was evaluated by distributing 180 unsexed Cobb-400 chicks of 7 days old to 18 floor pens (10 birds in each) following completely randomized design and assigning six pens to each of the three dietary treatments viz., M0 (control; basal diet without MOS supplementation), M0.5 (basal diet with 0.5% MOS) and M1 (basal diet with 1% MOS) and managed uniformly for next 5 weeks. The final body weight and weight gain was significantly higher (P

Effects of Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan Prebiotic on the Brain Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance in Broilers under Natural Egyptian Summer Conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and β-glucan (BG) prebiotic (AGRIMOS®) on the redox homeostasis, histopathology, and microglia count in the brain of heat-stressed broiler chickens. One hundred sixty eight (168) Ross one-day-old broiler chicks were obtained from local hatchery. The experiment was started at 28-day old; where birds were exposed to heat stress and were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments containing 0 (control), 0.5, 2, and 4 g/kg MOS and BG probiotic, respectively, for 14 days. Each treatment consisted of three replicates of 14 birds each (i.e., total birds/treatment count is 42 birds). The results indicated a significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in all MOS and β-glucan prebiotic treated groups. Supplementation with 0.5 g of prebiotic/kg diet resulted in a significant increase in glutathione levels; however, a significant decrease in superoxide radicals was found at dose of 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. The levels of lipid peroxidation in supplemented groups exhibited a significant decrease at doses of 2 and 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. Although there were no obvious changes in the histoarchitecture of cerebellar tissues, a significant increase in the number of microglia was evident following administration with 4 g of prebiotic/kg diet. In conclusion, supplementation of MOS and BG may be regarded as promising candidate for alleviating the undesirable effects of heat challenge on the brain of broiler chickens, nevertheless; further studies are warranted to look for other nutritional approaches.

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharides’ supplementation on hatching characteristics of four close-bred flocks of Japanese quail breeders

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mannan-oligosaccharides’ (MOS) supplementation on hatching characteristics of four close-bred flocks (CBFs) of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) breeders. A total of 960 Japanese quail breeders, aged 12 weeks old, were randomly selected and divided into four groups (n = 240) with twelve replicates (n = 20) in a completely randomized design (15 ♂ : 5 ♀). The birds were a fed corn-based basal diet (group D) or basal diet supplemented with MOS at the levels of 0.25 % (group A), 0.5 % (group B) and 1.0 % (group C) for 15 weeks. The collected data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA techniques using Statistical Analysis System. The fertility and hatchability of 0.50 % MOS-supplemented group was significantly higher than other treatment groups. Similarly, fertility and hatchability percent of fertile eggs of Kaleem flock was significantly higher than other flocks, while dead in-shells were significantly lower in Sadat flock. Conclusively, MOS supplementation positively influences the fertility and hatchability of quail breeders. Keywords : Fertility, hatchability, Japanese quail breeders, mannan-oligosaccharides, poultry biotechnology

Effects of mannan-oligosaccharides-supplemented diets on production performance of four close-bred flocks of Japanese quail breeders

The present study was conducted to find out the dietary effects of mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) supplemented diets on the production performance of four close-bred flocks (CBFs) of Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) breeders. A total of 960 twelve-week-old birds of four CBFs were randomly divided into four groups (n = 240) with 12 replicates (n = 20). Birds were fed a corn-based basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 0.25%, 0.50%, and 1.0% MOS for 15 weeks. The authors analysed the data by two-way ANOVA techniques using SAS (Statistical Analysis System). Birds fed MOS-supplemented diets had significantly higher body and egg weight, egg mass, and egg number than the control group. Similarly, the feed conversion ratio (FCR)/dozen eggs, FCR/kg egg mass, and mortality were significantly lower in MOS supplemented groups. However, no significant effect of MOS supplementation was recorded on feed intake and egg production of birds. None of the parameters differed significantly among CBFs. The results showed that feeding MOS as a replacement for antibiotic growth factor may positively influence the production performance and health of Japanese quail breeders. Keywords: Body weight, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, mortality

Effects of prebiotic mannan oligosaccharide on the growth, survival, and anxiety-like behaviors of zebrafish (Danio rerio)

ABSTRACTA study was designed to investigate the possible positive prebiotic effects of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth and reduction of anxiety behaviors in zebrafish (Danio rerio). The experimental diets were supplemented with 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 g MOS kg−1 and were fed to juvenile fish (0.47 ± 0.017 g) in triplicates for six weeks. Significant differences were found in the final body weight, body weight intake, percent body weight intake, and specific growth rate among treatments. The regression analyses showed that the optimum MOS level was 4–4.1 g MOS kg−1 diet. Fish fed 4 g MOS kg−1 feed showed higher survival than the other treatments. Also, using the novel tank test, fish fed with 4 g MOS kg−1 diet showed lower anxiety by swimming in the upper portion of the tank. The other behavior parameters remained unaffected by the prebiotic. The results indicated the beneficial effect of the prebiotic MOS on growth and partly on welfare of zebrafish juveniles.

289 Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on the growth performance and immune response of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides

289 Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on the growth performance and immune response of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides

212 Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on the intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides

212 Effects of mannan oligosaccharides and Lactobacillus mucosae on the intestinal morphology of weanling pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides

Effects of Supplemental Mannanoligosaccharides on Growth Performance, Faecal Characteristics and Health in Dairy Calves.

Twenty Holstein calves were used to investigate the effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) supplementation in the whole milk on growth performance, faecal score, faecal pH, selected faecal bacterial populations and health during the preweaning period. Healthy calves selected by clinical examination were allocated to one of the two groups (control [CG] and experimental [EG]) at 5 days old. Each group consisted of 5 male and 5 female calves. Each calf in EG was supplemented with 7 g/d of a MOS product (Celmanax) from 5 days to 56 days of age. MOS supplement was mixed with the whole milk once in the morning and administered to the calves in EG via nipple bottle, whereas the calves in CG were fed the whole milk without MOS. Calves were weaned at 56 days of age. The final body weight, average daily weight gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were statistically similar (p>0.05) but were higher by 3.70%, 6.66%, and 10.97%, respectively, in MOS than in control calves. Feed efficiency (ADG/ADFI) was also similar in two calves group. While faecal scores did not differ on day 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 49, and 56 between groups, EG had a higher faecal score (p = 0.05) than CG on day 35. Faecal concentration of Lactobacillus was lower (p<0.05) in EG compared with CG. No differences (p>0.05) in faecal concentrations of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium perfringens, and Escherichia coli were found between groups. Although there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the incidence of diarrhoea, treatment days for diarrhoea and the costs associated with diarrhoea treatments between groups, collectively, the observed reductions in treatment days and the cost of diarrhoea treatments accompanying increases in final body weight, ADG and ADFI for EG may indicate potential benefit of MOS in treatment of diarrhoea.

Histological and micro-/macro-morphological evaluation of intestine in sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) fed soybean meal-based diets added with MOS and inulin as prebiotics

The effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and inulin (INU) inclusion (8 g kg−1) in a soybean meal (SBM)-containing diet on histology, macro- and micromorphology of proximal and distal intestine of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) were evaluated. 144 sharpsnout seabream (100 g average initial body weight) were fed with 4 isolipidic and isoproteic diets. At the end of the experimental period (114 days), four fish per diet were randomly sampled. The partial substitution of fish meal (FM) with SBM affected the intestine histology and macromorphology of sharpsnout seabream and modified the enterocyte parameters. The addition of prebiotics has not produced positive effects, leading in some cases to a worsening, especially for INU diet that markedly altered the intestine histology. The micromorphological values were in both proximal and distal intestines significantly affected by the diet: in proximal tract, the nucleus was closer to the apex of the enterocyte in soy-fed fish (SBM, IMU, MOS diets), while fish fed with MOS diet showed the lowest value of enterocyte height, significantly different from the FM diet. In distal tract of intestine, fish fed with FM diet showed the highest value for all considered parameters, while MOS diet resulted in the lowest enterocyte height and supranucleus height among the four diets. SBM-containing diets (SBM, IMU, MOS) resulted in lower values than FM diet for the features of enterocyte nucleus. Microvilli height was not affected by the diet in both proximal and distal tracts. In conclusion in this study, the partial substitution of FM with SBM (40 % on protein basis) induced inflammatory reaction of the gut in sharpsnout seabream, evidenced by histological analysis and changes in morphometric characters of villi and enterocytes, not amended by the addition of MOS and even worsened in the case of inulin.

Effects of Mannan Oligosaccharides on Ileal digestibility of Nutrients and Microbial Populations in the Ceca of Broiler Chickens

Different levels of dietary mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) and Avilamycin administered to commercial broilers were evaluated for their efficacy on performance, ileal digestibility of nutrients and microbial activity in the digestive tract. Dietary treatments included an antibiotic-free diet (CTL−), a positive control (CTL+, 10 mg/kg of Avilamycin), and three antibiotic-free diets containing Active Mos (MOS, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.3% of the diet). Each treatment was randomly assigned to 4 floor pen replicates (20 birds each). In grower and finisher period, weight gain and feed conversion ratio improved by addition of 2 and 3 g/kg prebiotic or avilamicin into basal diet compared with control diet (P 0.05). The digestibility of OM was enhanced (P<0.05) with dietary supplementation of 2 g/kg MOS as compared to the control diet.

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide on beef-cow performance and passive immunity transfer to calves

This experiment investigated the effects of feeding mannan oligosaccharide to beef cows during late gestation through 30 d of lactation on cow and calf performance and calf passive immunity. Angus and Angus×Hereford cows (n=69; BW=569±68 kg; age=5.3±7 yr) were allotted by BW and age in a completely randomized designed. Cows were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments including 1) 1.36 kg/d during gestation of a cottonseed meal–based 30% CP supplement and 1.81 kg/d during lactation of a cottonseed meal–based 38% CP supplement (control); 2) control plus 10 g/d of Bio-Mos (Bio-Mos; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY). Experimental supplementation began on February 14, 2012, and was terminated after cows consumed the lactation diet for at least 30 d. Cow and calf blood and colostrum were collected within 12 h of parturition. Cows fed Bio-Mos tended to maintain more BW from parturition through the end of the feeding period (P=0.10). Similarly, cows consuming Bio-Mos were better able to maintain BCS from initiation of the experiment through weaning (P=0.05). At parturition, no differences for IgG1 concentrations in colostrum (P=0.28), cow serum (P=0.19), or calf serum (P=0.70) were detected. Similarly, parturition calf serum IgG2, IgA, or IgM concentrations were not different (P>0.14). Adding Bio-Mos to winter supplement may limit BCS loss following parturition in spring-calving beef cows; however, there was no effect on passive immunity characteristics.

Effects of mannan oligosaccharide and virginiamycin on the cecal microbial community and intestinal morphology of chickens raised under suboptimal conditions.

There is an increasing movement against use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal feed. Prebiotic supplementation is a potential alternative to enhance the host's natural defense through modulation of gut microbiota. In the present study, the effect of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and virginiamycin (VIRG) on cecal microbial ecology and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens raised under suboptimal conditions was evaluated. MOS and VIRG induced different bacterial community structures, as revealed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of 16S rDNA. The antibiotic treatment reduced cecal microbial diversity while the community equitability increased. A higher bacterial diversity was observed in the cecum of MOS-supplemented birds. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction results indicated that MOS changed the cecal microbiota in favor of the Firmicutes population but not the Bacteroidetes population. No difference was observed in total bacterial counts among treatments. MOS promoted the growth of Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. in the cecum and increased villus height and goblet cell numbers in the ileum and jejunum. These results provide a deeper insight into the microbial ecological changes after supplementation of MOS prebiotic in poultry diets.