Performance and caecal adaptation of turkeys to diets without or with antibiotic and with different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide

Arch Anim Nutr. 2004 Oct;58(5):367-78. doi: 10.1080/00039420400005042.

Abstract

A study on turkeys was conducted to evaluate the administration of different levels of mannan-oligosaccharide (MOS) (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5%) to a diet without or with an antibiotic (Flavomycin, 8 mg/kg feed). The growth performance as well as caecal development and metabolism indicators of turkeys after 8 weeks of experimental feeding were estimated. No interactions were noted between the contents of antibiotic and MOS in the diet in any of the parameters examined. During 8 weeks of experimental feeding, the feed intake as well as feed conversion ratio were similar in all experimental groups. The turkeys fed a control diet (without MOS) supplemented with antibiotic were the heaviest, but there were no statistical differences between groups. Depending on dietary dose, MOS had a different influence on caecal digesta parameters. The medium level of dietary MOS (0.25%) resulted in the highest caecal pH, dry matter and protein concentrations as well as the bacterial glycolytic activity (including beta-glucuronidase). Compared to other dietary treatments, the highest amount of MOS (0.5%) reduced ammonia concentration and enhanced volatile fatty acids concentration, especially of acetate and butyrate, in the caecal digesta. The medium level of dietary MOS caused a significant enhancement of propionate, iso-butyrate and iso-valerate concentrations in the digesta. The antibiotic addition to a diet resulted in a lack of birds' response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Animal Feed
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bambermycins / administration & dosage*
  • Bambermycins / pharmacology
  • Cecum / growth & development
  • Cecum / metabolism*
  • Cecum / microbiology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile / analysis
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Mannans / administration & dosage*
  • Mannans / metabolism
  • Oligosaccharides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism
  • Random Allocation
  • Turkeys / growth & development*
  • Weight Gain / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Fatty Acids, Volatile
  • Mannans
  • Oligosaccharides
  • Bambermycins