A Meta-Analysis of the Inclusion of Bio-Mos® in Milk or Milk Replacer Fed to Dairy Calves on Daily Weight Gain in the Pre-Weaning Period

Abstract

Objective: This meta-analysis determines the effect of BioMos ® , a mannan-oligosaccharide, supplementation to preweaned dairy source calves on average daily weight gain (ADG) pre-weaning. Methods:A literature search was performed and peerreviewed studies and abstract proceedings were included. Studies were included where Bio-Mos ® -supplemented calves were compared to control calves and weights were measured pre-weaning. A random effect meta-analysis was performed for overall effect and also comparing the effect stratified on type of liquid feed that the calves received.Results: A total of 23 cohort studies performed in USA, United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, the Czech republic, India, Japan, Peru, Poland, Spain and Turkey between 1993 and 2012 were included in the meta-analysis. The Bio-Mos ® supplementation ranged from 2-10 g per day, with an average inclusion of 3.8 g per day. Twenty-one studies reported an increased daily weight gain in calves fed BioMos ® in milk or milk replacer compared to control calves. The random effects meta-analysis model estimated that Bio-Mos ® -supplemented calves gained 0.064 kg/day (95% CI 0.047-0.081 kg/day) more than unsupplemented control calves (P-value <0.01). When stratified on type of feed, the estimates were similar; for milk replacer calves a 0.055 kg/day increased weight gain, for milk feed calves a 0.071 kg/day weigh gain and for waste milk/milk replacer calves a 0.068 kg/day weight gain advantage in Bio-Mos ® -supplemented calves compared to unsupplemented control calves. Funnel plots indicated no publication bias or reporting bias. Conclusion:The meta-analysis concludes that Bio-Mos ® supplementation of milk or milk replacer can be expected to on average result in 64 g more weight gain per day in preweaned dairy calves, which would correspond to 3.8 kilo higher weights for calves weaned at 2 months of age.

Effect of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and inulin supplementation on the performance and certain physiological parameters of calves reared on milk replacer

“…The level of inclusion is one of the critical factors for measurable prebiotic effects in animals. Berge (2016) reported based on earlier experimental data, that MOS supplementation ranged from 2 to 10 g per day, with an average inclusion of 3.8 g per day. Heinrichs et al (2003) fed 77 mg MOS/kg initial body weight (BW) to their calves, while Hill et al (2008) used 137 mg MOS/kg BW.…”

Supplementing Mannan Oligosaccharide Reduces the Passive Transfer of Immunoglobulin G and Improves Antioxidative Capacity, Immunity, and Intestinal Microbiota in Neonatal Goats

“…As a typical kind of functional oligosaccharides derived from the cell wall of yeast, MOS is widely used in animal feed to promote nutrient digestibility and alleviate intestinal disease (Spring et al, 2015;Duan et al, 2016). This study was the first time to clarify the effects of Regarding the dose of MOS, there were significant variations in different studies, and it ranged from 1 to 10 g per day (Swanson et al, 2002;Berge, 2016). In the current study, the amount of MOS supplementation was 0.06% of BW in the colostrum or milk replacer (an average inclusion of 1.41 g per day, purity: 99%), which referenced from two previous studies of calves (Heinrichs et al, 2013;Tóth et al, 2020).…”

“…Regarding the dose of MOS, there were significant variations in different studies, and it ranged from 1 to 10 g per day ( Swanson et al, 2002 ; Berge, 2016 ). In the current study, the amount of MOS supplementation was 0.06% of BW in the colostrum or milk replacer (an average inclusion of 1.41 g per day, purity: 99%), which referenced from two previous studies of calves ( Heinrichs et al, 2013 ; Tóth et al, 2020 ).…”

Effect of prebiotics on growth and health of dairy calves: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Some studies have suggested that supplementing prebiotics (MOS and polysaccharides) to calves improves average daily gain and feed efficiency and decreases fecal shedding of pathogens [ 11 – 13 ]. Moreover, a meta-analysis indicated that MOS (commercial product Bio-Mos®) supplementation for dairy calves resulted in improved body weight gain [ 14 ]. However, recent evidence suggests that prebiotic supplementation (MOS and polysaccharides) has no effect on health or growth performance of calves [ 15 – 17 ].…”