Mannan Oligosaccharides in Nursery Pig Nutrition and Their
Potential Mode of Action
Veronika Halas 1,* and Imre Nochta 2
1
2
Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Kaposvár University, P.O. Box 16,
H-7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
Provimi, P.O. Box 1, H-8112 Zichyújfalu, Hungary; E-Mail: inochta@hu.provimi.com
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: halas.veronika@ke.hu;
Tel.: +36-82-412-285; Fax: +36-82-313-562.
Received: 1 March 2012; in revised form: 1 May 2012 / Accepted: 10 May 2012 /
Published: 23 May 2012
Simple Summary: The aim of the paper is to provide a review of mannan oligosaccharide products in relation to their growth promoting effect and mode of action. Mannan oligosaccharide products maintain intestinal integrity and the digestive and absorptive function of the gut in the post-weaning period in pigs and enhance disease resistance by promoting antigen presentation. We find that dietary supplementation has growth promoting effects in pigs kept in a poor hygienic environment, while the positive effect of
MOS is not observed in healthy pig herds with high hygienic standards.
Abstract: Mannan oligosaccharides (MOSs) are often referred to as one of the potential alternatives for antimicrobial growth promoters. The aim of the paper is to provide a review of mannan oligosaccharide products in relation to their growth promoting effect and mode of action based on the latest publications. We discuss the dietary impact of MOSs on
(1) microbial changes, (2) morphological changes of gut tissue and digestibility of nutrients, and (3) immune response of pigs after weaning. Dietary MOSs maintain the intestinal integrity and the digestive and absorptive function of the gut in the post-weaning period. Recent results suggest that MOS enhances the disease resistance in swine by promoting antigen presentation facilitating thereby the shift from an innate to an adaptive immune response. Accordingly, dietary MOS supplementation has a potential growth promoting effect in pigs kept in a poor hygienic environment, while the positive effect of
MOS is not observed in healthy pig herds with high hygienic standards that are able to maintain a high growth rate after weaning.
1. Introduction
Mannan oligosaccharides (MOSs) are often referred to as a potential alternative for antibiotic growth promoters. Although they are non-digestible oligosaccharides, the mode of action of MOSs differs from other prebiotics. By definition, prebiotics are non-digestible components of feed that stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and promote the gut and general health of the host [1]. MOSs have recently been assigned to nutricines based on the reasoning that they are not direct nutrients either for intestinal microbiota or for the host, but potentially have a positive effect on the health and performance of farm animals [2].
The first experience with mannan products was investigating their potential to adhere to the mannose specific lectin on the surface of E. coli [3]. Results of in vitro studies suggested that dietary
MOS could reduce the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, which was indeed confirmed later in animal, particularly poultry trials [4,5]. Dietary MOS supplementation became prevalent in the
90s as a growth promoter in broiler and turkey feeding [6,7] and to a lesser extent in pig feeding [8].
Relevant data show that mannan products can be efficiently used in two critical periods of swine production, i.e., in piglets during the nursery period and in sows during late gestation and lactation.
Numerous publications reported that supplementation of the sow diet with dietary MOS (2 g/kg or
5 g/day/sow) in the
