Levels Of Mannan-oligosaccharide Research Articles

Growth performance and metabolic response of the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys to diets with different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide

In four studies, we evaluated the influence of dietary MOS on the performance of turkeys and their intestinal health status at various stages of the production. Turkey growth, feed efficiency and large intestine parameters were examined after 4-, 8- and 16-week administration of diets with different levels (0.1 to 1.0%) of a MOS. The experimental 4- and 8-week feeding with various levels of MOS (up to 0.5%) did not affect the productivity of the birds, yet medium (0.4 and 0.2% in the first and second 8-wk periods, respectively) and high (1.0 and 0.4% in the first and second 8-wk periods, respectively) levels of dietary MOS were found to significantly increase live body weight after feeding for 16 weeks. At the age of 8 weeks, we observed a similar effect of MOS and inulin on the productivity parameters. The caecal metabolism was affected by dietary mannan variously depending on the dose of MOS and the age of birds. Generally, the dietary mannan-oligosaccharides more considerably changed caecal metabolism at early ages. At 4 weeks of age, we found some positive effects of adding MOS to the diet, such as lowering ammonia concentration and decreasing β-glucuronidase activity in the caeca, as well as some negative effects, including decreased bacterial glycolytic activity and raised pH of digesta. In our 8-week experiment, non-linear changes were observed in the parameters of caecal digesta at different doses of MOS. It seems that dietary supplementation with 0.25% MOS, compared to other doses, exerted a specific effect on gut-colonizing microflora enhancing its proliferation and activity, which has been reflected in a higher concentration of Lowry's protein and an increased glycolytic activity. After feeding the turkeys for 16 weeks, their caecal metabolism was affected by dietary MOS to some extent. Although MOS did not change the caecal pH or the bacterial enzyme activity, when applied at medium and higher doses it decreased ammonia as well as SCFA concentration (mainly acetate) in the caecal digesta. Dietary MOS had no significant effect on the caecal populations of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, whereas the populations of caecal E. coli were observed to decrease, especially upon medium and high experimental concentrations.

Metabolic response of the gastrointestinal tract of turkeys to diets with different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide

Different levels of dietary mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) administered for 16 wk to commercial male turkeys were evaluated for their efficacy on performance and on microbial activity in the digestive tract. The following levels of MOS were used in a diet: low (0.1% during the entire study), medium (0.4 and 0.2% in the first and second 8-wk periods, respectively), and high (1.0 and 0.4% in the first and second 8-wk periods, respectively). After 16 wk of experimental feeding, the diet intake was similar in all groups examined, whereas the live BW was significantly higher in groups with medium and high levels of MOS compared with the control group and birds fed a diet containing a low level of mannan. The pH of ileal and cecal contents were unaffected by dietary treatments. The highest ammonia concentration in the cecal digesta was associated with a low dose of mannan in a diet, and the concentration was reduced to the control level when both higher doses of MOS were used. Bacterial enzyme activity remained unaffected by experimental treatments. The concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the ceca decreased with increasing amounts of MOS in a diet, especially in the case of acetate. Dietary MOS did not significantly affect the cecal populations of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. The population of cecal Escherichia coli was decreased, especially by the medium and high experimental treatments.

Performance and caecal adaptation of turkeys to diets without or with antibiotic and with different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide

A study on turkeys was conducted to evaluate the administration of different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5%) to a diet without or with an antibiotic (Flavomycin, 8 mg/kg feed). The growth performance as well as caecal development and metabolism indicators of turkeys after 8 weeks of experimental feeding were estimated. No interactions were noted between the contents of antibiotic and MOS in the diet in any of the parameters examined. During 8 weeks of experimental feeding, the feed intake as well as feed conversion ratio were similar in all experimental groups. The turkeys fed a control diet (without MOS) supplemented with antibiotic were the heaviest, but there were no statistical differences between groups. Depending on dietary dose, MOS had a different influence on caecal digesta parameters. The medium level of dietary MOS (0.25%) resulted in the highest caecal pH, dry matter and protein concentrations as well as the bacterial glycolytic activity (including β-glucuronidase). Compared to other dietary treatments, the highest amount of MOS (0.5%) reduced ammonia concentration and enhanced volatile fatty acids concentration, especially of acetate and butyrate, in the caecal digesta. The medium level of dietary MOS caused a significant enhancement of propionate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate concentrations in the digesta. The antibiotic addition to a diet resulted in a lack of birds' response.

Utilization of Bio-Mos® Mannan Oligosaccharide and Bioplex® Copper in Broiler Diets

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of combinations of antibiotics, mannan oligosaccharides, and organic forms of copper in the diet of broilers. Male broilers in litter floor pens were fed nutritionally complete diets with a 2 x 2 x 3 arrangement of treatments including two antibiotic programs (none; 55 mg/kg bacitracin methylene disalicylate from 0 to 42 d followed by 16.5 mg/kg virginiamycin to 63 d), two levels of mannan oligosaccharide (none; 1 g/kg Bio-Mos® from 0 to 42 d followed by 0.75 g/kg to 63 d) and three copper programs (none; copper sulfate to provide 250 mg/kg from 0 to 42 d followed by 62.5 mg/kg to 63 d; Bioplex® Cu to provide 55 mg/kg from 0 to 42 d followed by 27.5 mg/kg to 63 d). This resulted in a total of 12 experimental treatments, each fed to eight pens of 50 male chicks. Birds and feed were weighed at intervals during the study and samples of birds processed at 63 d to determine dressing percentage and parts yield. Body weight and feed conversion at 21 d was significantly improved by addition of the antibiotics but did not prove to be significantly improved at later ages. Addition of copper from either copper sulfate or Bioplex® Cu had no significant effect on any parameter tested. Addition of Bio-Mos® at the levels tested had no significant effect on any parameter but did interact with some of the other factors. Carcass characteristics were not improved by any of the factors tested. It is possible that the level of Bio-Mos® used in this study was not sufficient to elicit a positive response.