Effects of mannanoligosaccharides on broiler chickens intestinal physiology and tibia bone strength

Abstract

Introduction. Today there is a growing interest in the identification and evaluation of alternative natural feed additives that can benefit the health of the productive animals and also improve their performance (Bonos et al., 2010). One such feed additive that is being examined as growth promoter, are the mannanoligosaccharides (MOS). MOS-rich yeast cell wall material (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is demonstrated to be a valuable prebiotic (BOnos et al., 2011). Mannanoligosaccharide have been shown to increase growth in broilers and are not digestinal flora and thus immunological processes, enchance digestion and absorption of nutrients (Xu et al., 2003; Yang et al., 2008). The major fermentation products of prebiotic metabolism in large bowel are short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as acetic, propionic. butyric, and lactic acids, thereby lowering intestinal pH, and improving mineral absorption (Russell et al., 2013). Most of the studies on the effects of mannanoligosaccharides, esoecially those with respect to bone development and physiology of broiler chickens are limited and they are conflicting. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of MOS supplementation for the intestinal physiology of the broiler chickens and bone strength. Materials and methods. A total of four hundred one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 2 treatments with 4 replicate pens of 50 birds each. All chickens had ad libitum access to feed and clean water throughout the experiment. The birds were fed for 5 weeks with a standard wheat-soybean meal compound diet (Control group) supplemented with mannanoligosaccharides (M group, MOS 2.0 kg/t of feed). Records for live body weight (BW) and feed consumption were obtained at the end of each period and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated. [...].