Effect of a Specific Combination of Mannan-Oligosaccharides and β-Glucans Extracted from Yeast Cell Wall on the Health Status and Growth Performance of Ochratoxicated Broiler Chickens

The effect of a specific combination of Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and β-glucans extracted form the cell wall of a specific strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (AGRIMOS ® ) was investigated on zootechnical performance, ochratoxicosis and immune dysfunction caused by ochratoxin in broiler chickens. Three hundred and sixty, one day-old chickens were randomly allocated in a 2x2 factorial design for 5 weeks: supplementation of 2kg/ton of MOS (presence or absence) and feed contamination (presence or absence) with 50 µg/kg of ochratoxin A (OTA) for the first 3 weeks of life was done. Obtained results revealed that OTA did affect bird's growth one week after the contamination, although the final weight gain after 5 weeks was not different from the control. The use of AGRIMOS ® stimulated the overall daily gain compared to the OTA group. Feed intake and feed conversion were not affected by the dietary treatments. Cumulative mortality was similar between treatments and performance indexes significantly improved with AGRIMOS ® for the OTA challenged regimes. AGRIMOS ® supplementation reduced macroscopic and microscopic lesion scores associated with ochratoxicosis. Also, it corrected the depression in phagocytosis induced by ochratoxin intoxication and it had strong immunomodulation as it stimulated the immune response to vaccination. It could be concluded that administration of a specific combination of Mannan- oligosaccharides and β-glucans extracted form yeast cell wall (AGRIMOS ® ) to chickens improved zootechnical parameters had a potent immunomodulatory effect, evoked immune response and enhanced vaccination effectiveness. It helps not only in controlling chicken ochratoxicosis but also can play a positive role in treating chicken immune dysfunction. (M. H. H. Awaad, A. M. Atta, Wafaa A. Abd El-Ghany, M. Elmenawey, K. Ahmed; A. A. Hassan, A. A. Nada and G. A. Abdelaleem. Effect of a Specific Combination of Mannan-Oligosaccharides and β-Glucans Extracted from Yeast Cell Wall on the Health Status and Growth Performance of Ochratoxicated Broiler Chickens.