Medycyna Wet. 65 (1), 51-54, 2009
| Milewski S. |
| Effect of yeast preparations Saccharomyces cerevisiae on meat performance traits and blood hematological indices in sucking lambs |
| The aim of the study was to establish the influence of dried yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and an extract containing MOS and β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan on meat performance traits and blood hematological indices in sucking lambs. The study was conducted on 48 sucking lambs - the offspring of Kamieniec ewes - divided into three equal groups: I - control, II and III - experimental. Throughout a 70-day rearing period, the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with dried brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (group II) or Biolex-MB40 - a yeast extract containing mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) and β-1,3/1,6-D-glucan (group III). Meat performance traits, i.e. body weight, daily gains, growth rate, cross-section dimensions of musculus longissimus dorsi (ultrasound examination) and fat thickness over the loin eye, as well as blood hematological indices were determined. It was found that both dried brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Biolex-MB40, added to concentrated feed, had a beneficial influence on the meat performance traits of sucking lambs, including body weight, daily gains, growth rate and m. longissimus dorsi dimensions indicating muscle tissue development. It was also demonstrated that the above supplements caused a significant increase in the values of blood hematological indices (WBC, RBC, HBG) and the number of lymphocytes in the leukogram, suggesting immune system stimulation. The effect of both yeast supplements was comparable. |
| Key words: lambs, brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, β-glucan, MOS, meat performance, blood hematological indices. |