| dc.description.abstract | The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inclusion of Bio-Mos in
the growing ration for weaned lambs on growth rate, feed efficiency, and clinical
measures of health of the lambs. Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), when included as a
supplement to the diet, have been shown to have a positive effect on immune response in
several species and in turn, positively affect the growth of the animal. MOS are
commercially available as BioMos®, which is a nutritional supplement manufactured by
Alltech, Inc. out of Nicholasville, KY. Forty-seven weaned Suffolk × Hampshire (n=47)
lambs were used in this trial. Of the group, twenty (n=20) were ewe lambs and twentyseven
(n=27) were wether lambs. The lambs were placed on their assigned diets and
remained on the trial for a four week period (d+28). All responses evaluated in this study
were influenced by time (p < 0.05) over the 28-d trial. A GENDER × WEEK
interaction was observed for ADG and feed conversion (p < 0.05). Control lambs tended
(p = 0.10) to have a higher intake over the 28-d period in comparison to Bio-Mos fed
lambs. There were no statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between control and
Bio-Mos fed lambs for any of the growth parameters that were measured. There was a
tendency (p = 0.10) for GENDER × WEEK to influence intake. Gender also tended to
interacted with diet (GENDER × DIET, p = 0.09) to influence intake over the trial period. A GENDER × WEEK interaction was observed (p < 0.05) for feed conversion. Diet
influenced fecal pH (p < 0.05). This study indicates Bio-Mos had minimal influence on
growth and health. | en |
