Evaluation of mannan-oligosaccharides offered in milk replacers or calf starters and their effect on performance and rumen development of dairy calves

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to evaluate the route of administration of mannan-oligosaccharides in the diet of dairy calves and their effects on performance and plasma parameters indicative of rumen development.Following birth, twenty-four male Holstein calves were used in a completely randomized design and assigned to the following treatments: Control; 4 g/d Bio-Mos ® (Alltech Biotech.) added to starter concentrate; and 4 g/d Bio-Mos ® mixed into milk replacer. Animals were housed in individual hutches with free access to water, and fed 4L/d of milk replacer until weaning at six weeks. Calves also received 23g/kg crude protein of starter concentrate ad libitum. Fecal scores were evaluated daily. Body weights, growth measurements and blood samples for glucose, urea-N and β-hidroxibutyrate analyses were taken weekly until 8 weeks of age. There were no significant effects of treatment or treatment × age interactions for mean starter concentrate intake, weight gain or body growth. However, there was a significant age effect for all parameters. Fecal scores were not affected by treatments. Also, plasma concentration of glucose, urea-N or β-hidroxibutyrate were not affected by treatment or the treatment × age interaction. However, urea-N and β-hidroxibutyrate concentrations significantly increased with age, suggesting adequate rumen development. Under the conditions of this study, there were no calf performance benefits when mannan-oligosaccharides were incorporated into milk replacer or calf starter concentrate .

Impact of supplementation of probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic on serum biochemical profile of crossbred calves

“…The present study results were in agreement with the results of Adams et al (2008); Frizzo et al (2010) who reported no significant effect of feeding probiotic on serum urea levels in calves. Silva et al (2012) also reported that MOS feeding did not affect plasma urea nitrogen concentration in calves. AlSaiady et al (2010) reported significantly higher serum urea concentration in calves supplemented with cultured Lactobacillus acidophilus 27sc probiotic.…”

“…The results were in accordance with the results of Adams et al (2008) and Frizzo et al (2010) who reported no significant difference in serum glucose levels of probiotic group and control group. Rekiel et al (2007) and Silva et al (2012) reported that prebiotic supplementation had no effect on plasma glucose levels in pigs and calves respectively. The results were in contradiction with the results of Abdel Fattah et al (2009) who reported significant lower values of serum glucose levels in broilers treated with probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic.…”

In vitro gas production kinetics and digestibility in ruminant diets with different levels of cashew nut shell liquid

“…Ionophores have been successfully used for this purpose; however, the inclusion of these additives in animal feed is banned in the European Union (SILVA et al, 2012).…”

Inclusion of copaiba oil (Copaifera sp.) as additive in supplements for cattle on pasture

“…The main additives used in Brazil are ionophores, however, problems with toxicity and bacterial resistance, prevent the use of these products as food additives for ruminants in many countries (BARTON, 2000). As a consequence, the scientific community actively seeks alternative food additives without leaving residues in animal products and, at the same time, reducing the release of polluting gases to the environment (SILVA et al, 2012). Among the options, copaiba oil-resin (Copaifera sp.)…”