Effects of Vitamin E, Vitamin C and Mannanoligosaccharide (Bio-Mos (R)) Supplements on Performance and Immune System in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Maintaining gut health is important for the production of high quality and profitable poultry. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of supplemental mannan oligosaccharide (Bio-MOS (R)), Vitamin E (VE) and C (VC) on the growth performance and immune response of broilers given a corn based diet over a 6 weeks experimental period. About 1 day old male broilers (n=300) were randomly distributed to 4 groups (75 birds in each group and 15 birds in each subgroup for repetation 5 times) and reared under similar conditions. Standard husbandry and good management practices were followed that met or exceeded industry guideline. At each feeding, the following treatments were administered: control (no Bio-MOS (R), VE and VC), 1.5 g kg(-1) Bio-MOS (R), 500 mu g kg(-1) VE and 500 mu g kg(-1) VC. Body Weights (BW), Feed Intake (FI) and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were measured on day 1, 21 and 42. Blood samples were taken from vena ulnaris every 7 days and were analyzed on IgG concentration. The results showed that there was no significant difference in BW, FI and FCR among the treatment groups. During the 6 weeks of trial period considering plasma IgG levels significant differences were only found as following: compared to control group it was significantly lower in VE group at week 1 and 2, higher in VC and Bip-MOS (R) groups at week 2 and lower in Bio-MOS (R) group at week 6. Additionally, at 4 week lowest (0.90+/-0.06 mg, n=15) and at 5 week highest (2.85+/-0.18 mg, n=15) plasma IgG levels was found after applying the dietary treatment in Bio-Mos (R) group. Consequently, this data suggest that supplementation of Bio-MOS (R), VE or VC may not improve either broiler performance or immune response in healthy broilers.