Effects of diets containing different concentrations of mannanoligosaccharide or antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal development, cecal and litter microbial populations, and carcass parameters of broilers

Abstract

The effects of 2 levels of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) in feed were compared with antibiotic growth promoters on growth performance, intestinal morphology, cecal and litter microbial populations, and carcass parameters in broilers raised in a sanitary environment. Dietary treatments included: 1) antibiotic growth promoter-free diet (control), 2) VIRG (diet 1 + 16.5 mg/kg of virginiamycin), 3) BACT (diet 1 + 55 mg/kg of bacitracin), 4) LMOS (diet 1 + 0.2% MOS), and 5) HMOS (diet 1 + 0.5% MOS). Birds were randomly assigned to 3 replicate pens/treatment (n = 55/pen). Body weight and feed intake were recorded weekly throughout 38 d. At d 14, 24, and 34, a 1-cm segment of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum was used in morphological analysis (n = 9 birds/d per treatment). At the same bird ages, cecal contents were assayed for lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli, whereas litter was analyzed for Salmonella, Campylobacter, and E. coli. Carcass yields (breast fillet and tenders, thigh, drumstick, and wing) were determined at d 38. Body weight, feed conversion, and carcass yields did not differ among treatments. In contrast to birds fed VIRG or BACT, LMOS and HMOS consistently increased (P < 0.05) villi height and goblet cell number per villus in all intestinal segments at d 24 and 34. Bifidobacteria concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in LMOS- and HMOS-fed birds at all time points. Birds and litter from all treatments were free of Salmonella. At d 14 and 24, cecal E. coli and Campylobacter counts were not different among treatments. In comparison to birds fed control, at d 34, BACT, LMOS, and HMOS significantly reduced (P < 0.05) cecal E. coli concentrations, whereas Campylobacter counts were reduced (P < 0.05) by VIRG, BACT, and LMOS. Litter bacterial counts were not altered by dietary treatments. In conclusion, under conditions of this study, MOS conferred intestinal health benefits to chickens by improving its morphological development and microbial ecology. But, there were no additional benefits of the higher MOS dosage.

Intestinal morphology, digestive organ size and digesta pH of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with or without <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaf meal

“…Apparently, rapid increases in villous height and surface area occur at different rates in chick intestinal segments, reaching a plateau at 6 to 8 days in the duodenum and after 10 days in the jejunum and ileum (Uni et al, 1996). Long villi are correlated with improved gut health, and an increase in duodenal and jejuna height or length (Baurhoo et al, 2009). Thus, birds whose GIT were stimulated earlier in life show better response to growth performance and nutrient utilisation efficiency.…”

“…As reported by Paul et al (2007), the increase of villous height of various small intestine segments may be attributed to the role of the intestinal epithelium as a natural barrier to pathogenic bacteria and toxic substances that are present in the intestinal lumen. Furthermore, M. oleifera leaves contain short-chain carbohydrates, glycosides, which are reported to cause major increases in the height of the jejuna villi compared with AGP and AGP-free diets (Baurhoo et al, 2009).…”

“…Albeit it is not clear why a similar effect was not obtained in birds that were fed diets containing antibiotics, Baurhoo et al (2009) reported improved gut integrity, as measured by changes in villi height, goblet cell number, and populations of beneficial bacteria, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the ceca of chicks that were fed fibre-rich diets. Thus, it is possible that the presence of short-chain monosaccharides in M. oleifera leaves was the main component that functioned as a competitive attachment site for pathogenic bacteria, carrying them out of the gut, rather than binding to the intestine, thus enhancing the growth of beneficial gut microflora.…”

“…Physiological studies reveal that a functional gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is vital for the digestion and absorption of nutrients required for the bird's maintenance and growth (Mateos et al, 2002;Baurhoo et al, 2009). Gut integrity, its absorptive capacity and subsequent bird performance are improved by access to feed and water immediately post hatch, accompanied by intake of exogenous feed (Uni et al, 1998).…”

Effects of feeding finisher pigs with chicory or lupine feed for one week or two weeks before slaughter with respect to levels of Bifidobacteria and Campylobacter

“…level in slaughter pigs has to our knowledge not previously been reported, but feeding of chicks with fructooligosaccharides has been shown to reduce the colonization with C. jejuni (Schoeni and Wong, 1994). Similarly, Baurhoo et al (2009) showed that the Campylobacter counts in broilers were reduced at day 34 after dietary inclusion of mannaoligosaccharide (MOS), although not at day 14 or 24.…”