title: Improved health and growth of fish fed mannan oligosaccharides: potential mode of action.
abstract: Nowadays, aquaculture industry still confronts several disease-related problems mainly caused by viruses, bacteria and parasites. In the last decade, the use of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in fish production has received increased attention due to its beneficial effects on fish performance and disease resistance. This review shows the MOS use in aquaculture with a specific emphasis on the effectiveness of the several MOS forms available in the market related to disease resistance, fish nutrition and the possible mechanisms involved. Among the main beneficial effects attributed to MOS dietary supplementation, enhanced fish performance, feed efficiency and pathogen protection by potentiation of the systemic and local immune system and the reinforcement of the epithelial barrier structure and functionality are some of the most commonly demonstrated benefits. These combined effects suggest that the reinforcement of the intestinal integrity and functionality, together with the stimulation of the innate immune system, are the primary mode of action of MOS in fish. However, the supplementation strategy related to the structure of the MOS added, the correct dose and duration, as well as fish species, size and culture conditions are determinant factors to achieve improvements in health status and growth performance.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura (GIA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Electronic address: silvia.torrecillas@giaqua.org.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torrecillas
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura (GIA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Montero
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura (GIA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Transmontaña s/n, Arucas, 35416 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
authors.forename: Marisol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D060467:Disease Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D005399:Fishes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008351:Mannans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009844:Oligosaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D008351:Mannans; D009844:Oligosaccharides
keywords: Bacterial disease outbreak; Gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT); Gut integrity; Innate immune system; Mannan oligosaccharides