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Dietary mannan oligosaccharides improve broiler and turkey performance

Dietary mannan oligosaccharides improve broiler and turkey performance: meta-analysis of pen trials around the world

Published: January 1, 2002
By: Danny M. Hooge
ALLTECH 2003 CD: Dietary mannan oligosaccharides improve broiler and turkey performance: meta-analysis of pen trials around the world
Hooge Consulting Service, Inc., Eagle Mountain, Utah, USA


Introduction
The use of antibiotic growth promoters has come under increasing scrutiny because of the issue of antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria. In the European Union only avilamycin and bambermycins remain approved and in the United States voluntary reduction or replacement of antibiotics has begun. In order to help maintain live performance without antibiotics, a number of alternative growth promoters have been developed for use in commercial broiler chicken and market turkey feeds.
A fraction of the Saccharomyces yeast outer cell wall, mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), were introduced as a feed additive for poultry in 1993 (Bio-Mos®, Alltech Inc.). Since then, MOS supplementation of feeds has been shown in chicken and turkey trials to improve live performance compared to unsupplemented feeds. The stability of MOS to steam heat during pelleting has been an advantage, allowing it to be added directly in the mixer to broiler and turkey feeds. Global pen trial research on Bio-Mos® with modern strains of broiler chickens (Arbor Acres, Avian, Cobb, Ross, Hybro) and market turkeys (BUT or BUTA, Hybrid, Nicholas, Orlopp, Wrolstad) under a variety of dietary and environmental conditions is summarized in this article.

Overall, there were 25 broiler pen trials and 20 turkey pen trials included in the evaluation. Final ages ranged from 25 to 49 days for broiler chickens and from 21 to 147 days for turkeys. In most cases, the experimental models included antibiotic control diets along with negative control diets to allow comparison of each with Bio-Mos®-supplemented feeds. The pen trials were conducted on new litter, used litter, raised wire, or slatted floors. The levels of dietary Bio-Mos® sometimes varied by trial and by feed phase, ranging from 0.05 to 0.40% (500 to 4,000 ppm) in the different studies.

Body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and mortality data were analyzed statistically as pairs of observations, using either negative control vs Bio-Mos® or positive control (antibiotic) vs Bio-Mos® treatments, by the Paired T-test (Statistix for Windows 7.0, 2000. Analytical Software, Tallahassee, Florida). In some cases, there was more than one control vs Bio-Mos® treatment comparison, such as multiple Bio-Mos® levels in dose-response studies. Overall averages have been presented at the bottom of each table ‘by treatment’ (simple averages down the column using all values for each treatment) and ‘by trial’ (trial averages were calculated by treatment to obtain one value per trial per treatment, then simple averages determined).
Response to Bio-Mos® in broiler hickens
NEGATIVE CONTROL VS BIO-MOS® COMPARISONS
Broiler chicken body weight means from studies using antibiotic-free negative control vs Bio-Mos® supplemented diets are shown in Table 1. Full details of this analysis are in Hooge (2003). There were 24 pen trials involving 34 comparisons. With regard to treatment means, Bio-Mos®-fed broilers had higher weight gain (+1.88%) than antibiotic-free birds; and by trial a similar result occurred (+1.70%). These results were highly significant. Averages by treatment for FCR favored the Bio-Mos® group (-2.25%), and by trial the improvement when Bio-Mos® was added was similar (-2.27%) and also statistically significant. Mortality percentages for the 17 non-antibiotic pen trials and 19 treatment comparisons were calculated. Mortality percentages were lowered by inclusion of Bio-Mos®, with the relative reductions compared to negative control being -21.78% for averages by treatment and -21.95% averaged by trial (P<0.017).

Assuming a negative control flock commercially has the same ‘average by trial’ results as given here (2.247 kg (4.954 lb) body weight, 1.812 feed:body weight, and 6.051% mortality), addition of Bio-Mos® to the diets would be expected to improve live performance results to 2.285 kg (5.038 lb) body weight, 1.771 feed:body weight, and 4.723% mortality. Average improvements expected would be +0.038 kg (+0.084 lb) per bird, -0.041 feed:body weight, and -1.328% actual mortality.
ANTIBIOTIC CONTROL VS BIO-MOS®
In total there were 20 pen trials and 25 comparisons of positive control (diets containing either an antibiotic or antibiotic shuttle program) and Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets from which body weight and FCR were obtained. The antibiotics used were avilamycin, bacitracin, bambermycins or virginiamycin at various levels. Coccidiostats used included diclazuril, lasalocid, monensin, or nicarbazin (in some studies the name of the coccidiostat was not given). There were no significant differences in body weight for antibiotic diets and Bio-Mos®-supplemented treatments either for averages by treatment (-0.37% with Bio-Mos®) or by trial (-0.39% with Bio-Mos®) (Table 2). Similarly, there were no significant differences between antibiotic and Bio-Mos® treatments for FCR averages by treatment (-0.45% with Bio-Mos®) or by trial (-0.07% with Bio-Mos®). The positive control and Bio-Mos® diets gave statistically equivalent performance with regard to growth promotion and feed utilization.
The strong beneficial effect of Bio-Mos® supplementation in lowering mortality observed in the negative control vs Bio-Mos® trials (Table 1) was demonstrated again for Bio-Mos® diets in comparison to antibiotic supplemented diets (-17.17% relative change in mortality averaged by treatment and -18.10% averaged by trial). This indicated that Bio-Mos® had a significantly greater (P<0.009) beneficial influence on broiler chicken livability than the subtherapeutic antibiotics against which it was evaluated.

Response to Bio-Mos® in commercial turkeys
NEGATIVE CONTROL VS BIO-MOS®

Results of 17 turkey pen trials conducted on new or used litter or wire comparing negative control and Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets are reported in Tables 3, 4 and 5. The final ages ranged from 21 to 140 days in the negative control comparisons. Average ages were 68.7 to 91.0 days depending on the parameter and number of trials and data points included. Body weight was improved with Bio-Mos® addition when averaged by treatment (P=0.006, +0.127 kg (+0.280 lb), +2.25%) or by trial (P=0.010, +0.155 kg (+0.342 lb), +2.09%). Two of the 27 comparisons by treatment involved birds inoculated against E. coli and one of the comparisons by treatment involved birds inoculated against PEMS (suspension of fecal material from infected poults), resulting in reduced performance. Feed conversion efficiency was not significantly changed due to Bio-Mos® addition when averaged by treatment (P=0.120, -0.032 feed:body weight, -1.62%) or by trial (P=0.258, -0.028 feed:body weight, -1.32%).

Mortality was reduced with Bio-Mos® supplementation when averaged by treatment (P=0.049, -2.545% actual, -24.64% relative) and by trial (P=0.016, -2.849 actual, -25.13% relative). It should be noted that when the raw mortality data, which had several 0% values in it, were analyzed using the arcsine transformation procedure, the mortality comparisons had probabilities of P=0.182 (non-significant in this case) and P=0.027 when averaged by treatment and by trial, respectively.

ANTIBIOTIC CONTROL VS BIO-MOS®

Results of 17 pen trials comparing antibiotic control and Bio-Mos® diets are presented in Tables 6-8, and the antibiotics and doses are listed in Table 9. In these trials, the final ages ranged from 63 to 147 days. Average ages were 101.1 to 106.7 days, depending on the parameter and number of trials and data points included. Compared to the antibiotic control diet performance, body weight was not significantly influenced due to dietary Bio-Mos® when averaged by treatment (P=0.158, -0.064 kg (-0.141 lb), -0.60%) or by trial (P=0.157, -0.058 kg (-0.128 lb), -0.56%). Feed efficiency was not significantly affected by Bio-Mos® compared to antibiotic control when averaged by treatment (P=0.308, -0.009 feed/body weight, -0.39%) or by trial (P=0.339, -0.009 feed:body weight, -0.39%). Mortality was not significantly different between antibiotic control and Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets when averaged by treatment (P=0.074, -1.575% actual, -20.59% relative) or by trial (P=0.200, -1.100% actual, -15.53% relative).

Modes of action

Mannan oligosaccharides have at least three distinct modes of action by which broiler or turkey performance can be improved: 1) adsorption of pathogenic bacteria containing Type 1 fimbrae, sometimes referred to as the ‘receptor analog’ mechanism (strongly binding to and decoying pathogens away from the ‘sugar coated’ intestinal lining), or stated another way, different bacterial strains can agglutinate mannan oligosaccharides (Oyofo et al., 1989; Spring et al., 2000); 2) improved intestinal function or gut health (for example: increased villi height, uniformity, and integrity) (Loddi et al., 2002); and 3) immune modulation simulates gut associated and systemic immunity by acting as a non-pathogenic microbial antigen, providing an adjuvant-like effect (Ferket et al., 2002).

A high level (0.40%) of dietary Bio-Mos® given to young chicks challenged with Salmonella typhimurium reduced cecal counts; and challenge with S. dublin reduced the number of positively infected birds by day 10 (Spring et al., 2000). There was no effect on cecal concentrations of Lactobacilli, Enterococci, anaerobic bacteria, lactate, volatile fatty acids, or pH of cecal contents, suggesting that alteration of populations of these species is probably not part of the chick growth promotion mechanism. In some studies in which certain antibiotics were used in combination with Bio-Mos®, additive beneficial effects on broiler performance were observed compared to antibiotic alone (for example: virginiamycin + Bio-Mos®, significant feed conversion improvement (Mathis, 2000); bacitracin MD and virginiamycin shuttle program + Bio-Mos®, feed conversion and mortality improvements (Sefton et al., 2002).
Dietary Bio-Mos® has other effects that influence performance of broiler chickens. In a Czech Republic caged broiler study using 0 to 0.3% Bio-Mos® at 0.05% incremental addition rates, 0 to 21 day fiber digestibilities significantly improved with each progressive level of Bio-Mos® compared to the negative control diets (Kuprecht et al., 1997). In a UK trial water intake per bird from 0 to 14 days of age (expressed as dL water/100 g feed) was significantly lower for Bio-Mos®-fed birds (1.91) than for negative control broilers (1.99). As a result, 0 to 35 day subjective or visual litter scores, using 0 as worst to 10 as best, were significantly improved with the Bio-Mos® supplementation (4.0) compared to the negative controls (3.0) (ten Doeschate and Kenyon, 1999). It is conceivable that improved health of the intestinal mucosa due to feeding Bio-Mos® diets, suggested by the improved litter conditions, could benefit carcass and breast meat yield. Although limited research has been done on processing yields in response to Bio-Mos®, results of a Brazilian pen trial demonstrated that dietary Bio-Mos® (0.1%) significantly increased breast yield as a percentage of dressed carcass plus head and feet compared to the negative control treatment (32.91 vs 31.07%, respectively)(Clementino dos Santos et al., 2002).

Summary and recommendations

A collection of written reports from 25 broiler chicken and 20 market turkey pen trials from around the globe were gathered and statistically analyzed to determine effects of Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets relative to negative control or positive (antibiotic) control diets. Results were averaged by treatments and by trials, since some trials included more than one level of Bio-Mos® addition (for example, dose-response studies) using a paired T-test.

BROILER CHICKENS

When results were averaged by trials, Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets gave the following relative improvements compared to the negative control diets: body weight, +1.70%; feed efficiency, -2.27%; and mortality, 21.95% (all significant at P=0.017). Using averages by trials, relative improvements for Bio-Mos®-supplemented feeds compared to the positive control (antibiotic) diets were: body weight, -0.39%; and feed efficiency, -0.07% (P>0.440). Considering averages by trials, Bio-Mos® lowered mortality (P=0.008, -18.10%) relative to positive control (antibiotic) diets, indicating a strong beneficial effect.
Bio-Mos® is recommended as an economical, natural additive for broiler chickens feeds to improve body weight, feed conversion, and mortality. The Bio-Mos® supplement resulted in body weight and feed efficiency comparable to antibiotics with significantly lower mortality based on results of these pen trials. Currently recommended optimal Bio-Mos® levels of addition for broiler chicken feeds are: 0.2%, 0 to 7 days; 0.1%, 7 to 21 days, and 0.05%, 21 to 42 days (or market).

MARKET TURKEYS
Written reports from market turkey pen trials in the US and Europe (France, Poland, UK) were evaluated to compare results for Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets vs negative control or positive control (antibiotic) diets. Turkey strains involved were BUT (or BUTA), Hybrid, Nicholas, Orlopp, and Wrolstad. Antibiotics included avilamycin, bacitracin (MD or zinc), bambermycins, terramycin, and virginiamycin. Average ages were 68.7 to 91.0 days for the negative control comparisons and 101.1 to 106.7 days for the antibiotic comparisons, depending on the parameter, and number of trials and data points included. Results were averaged by treatment and by trial using the paired T-test for control vs Bio-Mos® comparisons. Compared to negative controls, significant improvements with dietary Bio-Mos® were found in body weight (+2.09 to +2.25%) and mortality (-24.64 to -25.13%), with FCR (-1.32 to -1.62%). Live performance for birds given antibiotic and Bio-Mos®-supplemented diets were statistically similar.
The most commonly used level of Bio-Mos®supplementation for turkeys was 0.10% of the diet in all feeds. Where a step-down program is utilized, 0.10% Bio-Mos® may be added initially followed by 0.05% at about 7 or 8 weeks for hens or 12 weeks for toms. Alternately, a level of 0.20% dietary Bio-Mos® is sometimes included for a short period of time, such as in the prestarter feed. Costing about the same as antibiotics, Bio-Mos® should be considered an economical and effective natural alternative growth promoter for improving live performance of market turkeys.

References and sources of data
Bagley, L.G. and D.D. Frame. 2002. The effect of different feed additives on growth of the Orlopp hen (G202-5). Utah State University Turkey Research Center, Ephraim, Utah.

Clementino dos Santos, E., A. Soares Teixeira, A. Gilberto Bertechini, R. Tadeu Fonseca de Freitas, P. Borges Rodregues, E. Souza Dias, D.M. Torres, A. Vieira Santos and R.A. Giacometi. 2002. Effect of growth beneficial additives on broiler carcass yield. In: Proc. Braz. Soc. Anim. Prod. (Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia). Federal Agrotechnical School of Inconfidentes, and Federal University of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Edens, F.W. and R.E. Doerfler. 1998. Poult enteritis and mortality syndrome: definition and nutrition interventions. In: Biotechnology in the Feed Industry, Proceedings of Alltech’s 14th Annual Symposium (T.P. Lyons and K.A. Jacques, eds), Nottingham University Press, UK, pp. 521-538.
Fairchild, A.S., J.L. Grimes, F.T. Jones, M.J. Wineland, F.W. Edens and A.E. Sefton. 2001. Effects of hen age, Bio-Mos® and Flavomycin®on poult susceptibility to oral Escherichia coli challenge. Poult. Sci. 80:562-571.
Ferket, P.R., C.W. Parks and J.L. Grimes. 2002. Benefits of dietary antibiotic and mannanoligosaccharide supplementation for poultry. In: Proc. Multi-State Poult. Feeding and Nutr. Conf., Indianapolis, IN. May 14-16.
Fritts, C.A. and P.W. Waldroup. 2000. Utilization of Bio-Mos® mannan oligosaccharide in turkey diets. Poult. Sci. 79(Suppl. 1):29.
Hulet, M., 1999a. Effect of MOS and BMD/Stafac on performance of turkeys. (Pennsylvania State University, University Park).
Hulet, R.M. 1999b. Response of turkey hens to Bio-Mos® and antibiotic-supplemented diets fed to market age. (Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.) Tech. Report 52.12, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY.
Hulet, R.M. 2003. Growth and feed efficiency of market turkey hens fed either Synermax or Bio-Mos® when compared to a control diet. Draft Report to Alltech Inc., February.
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Spring, P., C. Wenk, K.A. Dawson and K.E. Newman. 2000. Effect of mannan oligosaccharide on different cecal parameters and on cecal concentration on enteric bacteria in challenged broiler chicks. Poult. Sci. 79:205-211.
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ten Doeschate, R.A.H.M. and S. Kenyon. 1999. Alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters: mannan oligosaccharides and organic acids. In: Proc. XIV European Symp. on The Quality of Poultry Meat. WPSA, Italian Branch, ABNA Ltd, ABN House, Peterborough, UK, pp. 203-220.
ten Doeschate, R., and S. Kenyon, 2002. Effect of different feed additives on broiler performance and litter quality. In: Proc. 11th European Poult. Sci. Conf., Bremen, Germany. Sept. 6-10.
Valancony, H., M. Bougon, L. Balaire and P. Drouin. 2000. Impact of Bio-Mos® and avilamycin in feed and lactic acid in drinking water on performance of tom turkeys. (AFSSA, Ploufragan, France.) Tech. Report 52.13, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY.
Valancony, H., F. Humbert, J. Rukelibuga, M. Bougon, L. Balaine and F. Lalande. 2001. Comparaison de quelques sustituts aux additifs antibiotiques chez le dindon: effets zootechniques et resistance a l’implantation des salmonelles. Jounee Nationale des Professionnels de la Dinde, Rennes, France, 21 June. 23 Powerpoint slides (Trial 13 began March, 2000 and Trial 14 began September, 2000; AFSSA, Ploufragan, France).
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Talaat Mostafa  El-Sheikh
18 de enero de 2012
i would like to know the references of this article
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