Use of dietary mannanoligosaccharides during rabbit fattening period: Effects on growth performance, feed nutrient digestibility, carcass traits, and meat quality

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare the effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) and antibiotics as a dietary supplement on ADG, ADFI, G:F, and feed nutrient digestibility of rabbits during the fattening period, as well as on carcass traits and meat quality. A total of 512, sixty-day-old hybrid Hyla rabbits were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups based on BW and sex. The 4 treatment groups consisted of a control group and 3 MOS groups. The control group was fed a diet that contained apramycin (50 mg/kg), but diets for the 3 MOS groups contained 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g/kg of MOS instead of apramycin. The rabbits were fed experimental diets for 22 d and all rabbits were slaughtered at the end of the experiment when they were 82 d old. Individual BW and feed intake per cage were recorded weekly for 32 cages randomly chosen per group (64 rabbits) to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. The apparent digestibility values of OM, CP, ether extract, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose were measured using AIA as an inert marker. Carcass data were collected from 16 randomly chosen rabbits (8 males and 8 females) per group. The control group had less G:F (P < 0.001) than the MOS groups and a linear increase (P < 0.001) in G:F was observed as the concentration of MOS increased from 0.5 to 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) as the concentration of MOS in the diets increased. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, crude fiber, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose was also greater (P < 0.05) in the diets containing MOS than in the control diet and the digestibility of these nutrients was greater (P < 0.05) in the diet containing 1.5 g/kg of MOS compared with the control diet. The concentration of palmitic acid, stearic acid, and SFA was greater (P < 0.05) in the meat from rabbits fed the control diet than rabbits fed the MOS diets. The concentration of stearic acid decreased (quadratic, P < 0.05) in the meat of rabbits as the concentration of MOS in the diet increased. Meat from rabbits fed diets containing MOS also had greater contents of oleic acid (P < 0.05) and MUFA (P < 0.001) than those rabbits fed the diet containing apramycin. The thrombogenic index was greater (P < 0.05) in the meat from the control group rabbits than the MOS group rabbits. In conclusion, the inclusion of MOS in diets fed to rabbits during the fattening period may improve G:F and modify the fatty acid profile of meat.

Effects of Mannan Oligosaccharide and Inulin on Sharpsnout Seabream (Diplodus Puntazzo) in the Context of Partial Fish Meal Substitution by Soybean Meal

“…However, reduction of fat percentage is reported in broilers fed a diet containing 3.75 g kg -1 fructooligosaccharide respect to that fed the control diet (Flickinger et al, 2003). Also, studies showed a reduction in fat deposition of the carcass of rabbits fed mannanoligosaccharides (Piccolo et al, 2009;Bovera et al, 2012), in triglycerides of poultry (Bozkurt et al, 2012) and in hepatic lipogenesis and plasma triacylglycerol of humans (Letexier et al, 2003). In the present study, MOS and INU supplementation reduced also mesenteric fat.…”

Effects of water restriction on growth performance, feed nutrient digestibility, carcass and meat traits of rabbits

“…The raw meat from the left hind leg dissection was ground, freeze-dried and analysed using the following AOAC procedures (1984): moisture (method 950.46), fat (method 930.27) and ash (method 950.153). Protein content, including glucidic molecules and their catabolities (0.25%; Bovera et al, 2012) was calculated by difference.…”

Assessment of a natural, non-antibiotic blend on performance, blood biochemistry, intestinal microflora, and morphology of broilers challenged with Escherichia coli

“…Fructooligosaccharides and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) beneficially affect gut health by suppressing enteric pathogens, enhancing immune responses, and improving the integrity of the intestinal mucosa of broilers (Baurhoo et al, 2007). Mannan oligosaccharides can join E. coli and Salmonella and prevents these pathogens from sticking to the intestinal wall (Bovera et al, 2012;Shanmugasundaram et al, 2013). Organic acids are also potential feed additive alternatives to AGP in animal rearing systems (Adil et al, 2011;Sultan et al, 2015).…”