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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250741
Title: Prebiotics and Probiotics Provide Alternatives to Antibiotics

Author
item Peterson, Brian
item Booth, Natha
item KHOO, L - Mississippi State University
item MANNING, B - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Global Aquaculture Advocate
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2010
Publication Date: 7/1/2010
Citation: Peterson, B.C., Booth, N.J., Khoo, L., Manning, B.B. 2010. Prebiotics and Probiotics Provide Alternatives to Antibiotics. Global Aquaculture Advocate. p. 36-37.

Interpretive Summary: We examined a commercial mannan oligosaccharide (MOS, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY) as a potential feed additive in channel catfish. In the first study, we fed MOS for six weeks followed by challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the bacterium that causes Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC). All fish were bled pre- challenge as well as on day 14 of the challenge. In a second study, we fed MOS for nine weeks followed by challenge with E. ictaluri. Mortalities were collected for 21 days. Sections of the upper, middle, and lower parts of the intestine were taken for analysis. Feeding MOS did not improve weight gain, specific growth rate, or food conversion ratio. However, survival was increased after challenge with E. ictaluri in both studies. Plasma levels of lysozyme (an indicator of a non-specific immune response) were similar in MOS fed fish pre- and post-challenge. Microvilli lengths in the all sections of the intestine were similar among treatments. Although channel catfish fed MOS demonstrated improved survival after bacterial challenge, the mechanisms through which MOS improved survival were not determined in these studies.

Technical Abstract: Research examined the effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS, Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY) as a potential feed additive in channel catfish. In the first study, MOS was fed at 2 g/kg diet for six weeks followed by challenge with Edwardsiella ictaluri, the bacterium that causes Enteric Septicemia of Catfish (ESC). All fish were bled pre- challenge as well as on day 14 of the challenge. In a second study, MOS was fed at 4 g/kg diet for nine weeks followed by challenge with E. ictaluri. Mortalities were collected for 21 days. Gut morphology was examined in fish fed MOS as well as controls prior to challenge. Sections of the distal, middle, and proximal parts of the intestine were taken for analysis. Feeding MOS at 2 or 4 g/kg diet for six or nine weeks did not improve weight gain, specific growth rate, or food conversion ratio. However, survival was significantly increased after challenge with E. ictaluri in both studies (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of lysozyme were similar in MOS fed fish pre- and post-challenge. Microvilli lengths in all sections of the intestine were similar in all treatments after 9 weeks of feeding. Although channel catfish fed MOS demonstrated improved survival after bacterial challenge, the mechanisms through which MOS improved survival were not determined in these studies.