Effect of supplementation with mannanoligosaccharide on clinical parameters and body weight gain of calves

Abstract

Worlwide there is a trend toward limiting the use of antibiotic in animal production, and more researches are focused on the search for alternatives, such as the use of probiotics and prebiotics in feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) on the metabolic profile, immune activity, incidence of diarrhea and weight gain in Holstein-Friesian calves. Thirty two females calves were divided into two groups; mannanoligosaccharide Group (MOSG, n=16) and Control Group (Control G, n=16). MOS was administered into the milk (5g/animal), once a day, from 15 ± 7 to 43 ± 7 days of age, totaling 28 days of supplementation. Blood were collected to determine the metabolic profile, hemogram and concentration of antibodies against Salmonella typhimurium. Body weight and occurrence of diarrhea was evaluated every 7 days. No effects of MOS were detected on the evaluated variables. In conclusion, the results showed that the mannanoligosaccharide did not alter the clinical and zootechnical parameters in Holstein-Friesian calves.