Effect of Mannan Oligosaccharides on Some Nutritional and Biochemical Parameters of Mice

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of addition of mannan-oligosachcharide (Bio-Mos®), on some biochemical parameters of laboratory mice. Thirty-two, female, sixteen to twenty-week-old, Balb/c mice were assigned randomly into two groups, namely test and control, with eight replicates of 4 mice each. Both groups were fed with broiler starter ration ad libitum, but to the feed of the test group 5% of Bio-Mos® was added. Serum was analyzed for serum biochemical parameters including total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total protein and albumin concentrations following one month treatment. A differential count of the white blood cells was also performed. Bio-Mos® supplementation significantly decreased (P<0.05) the total serum cholesterol level of test group mice with respect to the control group. No significant difference was observed with respect to the control group in both HDL cholesterol level and cholesterol/HDL ratio. Although there was no significant difference was observed of the total serum protein concentration of test group mice, serum albumin level showed a significant increase (P<0.05) with respect to the control group. Treatment increased the % of total lymphocyte count and significantly decreased in the % of neutrophil count (P<0.05) of the test group with respect to the control group. MOS to favourably influence the cholesterol levels and immune responses of laboratory mice. Hence, it seems to be a suitable functional feed additive from the production and animal health point of view.