Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on growth performance of preruminant veal calves

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 2 different daily doses of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), a prebiotic ingredient, added to a calf milk replacer on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids of preruminant veal calves. In total, 112 male Prim'Holstein calves, between 8 and 10d of age, were randomized in this study according to their body weight and were bred until the age of 168 d. They were fed a calf milk replacer containing 5% soluble wheat proteins as well as cereal-based pellets, the composition of which was adapted to cover the needs of the animals throughout the study. After 2 wk of adaptation, the calf milk replacer was supplemented or not supplemented with a daily dose of 3 or 6g of scFOS. Growth performance of calves, as measured by body weight, cold carcass weight, feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio, was recorded and feces samples were taken to evaluate short-chain fatty acid concentrations. The inclusion of wheat proteins in milk replacer did not negatively affect the growth performance of calves in comparison with general standards. The addition of scFOS in the milk reduced the feed conversion ratio of veal calves in a dose-dependent manner and tended to increase the carcass weight. A general trend was observed for an increased production of total short-chain fatty acids in time, but scFOS decreased acetate proportion to the benefit of butyrate proportion. These data suggest that inclusion of scFOS in the calf milk replacer allowed the growth performance of preruminant calves to be enhanced, possibly via a modification of the activities of microbial fermentation.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Short-Chain Fructooligosaccharides in Lactating Sows and Newly Weaned Piglets on Reproductive Performance of Sows, Immune Response and Growth Performance of Piglets from Birth to Slaughter

“…Consequently, the animals reached the target body weight for slaughter at a younger age when sows and piglets were supplemented with scFOS. Similarly, Le Bourgot (INRA, Rennes, France, personal communication) observed a positive carry-over effect of scFOS supplementation of sows on BW of their piglets at the age of 77 d. The scFOS also improved growth and feed efficiency when directly fed to veal calves [25] or piglets [6,7]. However, these previous studies evaluated the effects of scFOS on growth performance during supplementation, while the present study highlighted a positive carry-over effect of early-life nutrition on later growth performance and carcass characteristics.…”

Evaluation of serum protein-based arrival formula and serum protein supplement (Gammulin) on growth, morbidity, and mortality of stressed (transport and cold) male dairy calves

“…Previous research with calves (Arthington et al, 2000b;Quigley et al, 2002) suggested that serum protein products improve health and decrease morbidity and mortality (Quigley and Wolfe, 2003) while maintaining or increasing growth. In addition, studies in humans and other species have shown that fructooligosaccharides (FOS) stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, inhibit colonization by pathogens, and improve mineral absorption (Howard et al, 1995;Sabater-Molina et al, 2009;Grand et al, 2013). Based on these data, our prediction was that products containing serum proteins or serum proteins plus FOS, in addition to milk products (dried whey and dried whey protein concentrate), minerals, and vitamins, would improve performance, morbidity, and mortality of dairy calves subjected to the stressors of winter cold weather and transport, especially during their first 2 to 3 wk of life.…”

The effects of feeding prebiotics, antibiotics, and alternative proteins during the preweaning period to dairy calves on growth, health, and the gastrointestinal microbiota

“…Short-chain fatty acids and other microbial metabolites interact with immune cells and enterocytes and modify their activity (Le Poul et al, 2003, Karaki et al, 2008, Tazoe et al, 2009). Short-chain fatty acids provide energy to the host and commensal microbes (Kaplan and Hutkins, 2000, Ploger et al, 2012, Breton et al, 2015, acidify the luminal pH to suppress the growth of pathogenic organisms (Russell, 1992, Rycroft et al, 2001, Blaut, 2002, have bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties (Russell, 1992), improve energy efficiency (Roodposhti and Dabiri, 2012), alter intestinal morphology (Roodposhti and Dabiri, 2012), improve the mucosal structure (Grand et al, 2013, Breton et al, 2015, stimulate intestinal epithelial cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation (Ploger et al, 2012), improve gut barrier function (Gomez-Conde et al, 2007, Ploger et al, 2012, and influence intestinal motility (Dass et al, 2007). Short-chain fatty acids are weak acids and effective as antimicrobials in their undissociated forms since they easily diffuse through the cytoplasmic membrane of the microorganism (Davidson and Taylor, 2007).…”

“…They are fermented by resident microbiota in the colon to stimulate the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria, inhibit pathogenic organism colonization, and produce short-chain fatty acids that lower intraluminal pH and may increase mineral solubility (May et al, 1994, Seymour et al, 1995, Gibson, 1999, Grizard and Barthomeuf, 1999, Menne et al, 2000, Cummings and Macfarlane, 2002, Swanson et al, 2002, Abrams et al, 2005, Respondek et al, 2008, Roberfroid et al, 2010, Grand et al, 2013. (Bunce et al, 1995, Roberfroid et al, 2010.…”

“…(Bunce et al, 1995, Roberfroid et al, 2010. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides are soluble fibers naturally found in vegetables, such as onion, garlic, or wheat (Grand et al, 2013).…”