Fructo-oligosaccharide supplementation: Effects on metabolic, endocrine and hematological traits in veal calves

Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are soluble fibres which exert various effect s in the gastrointestinal tract, and induce metabolic and endocrine changes . The effects are favourable in diabetes mellitus, and may be favourable in veal calves, which during late periods of fattening often develop hypergly cemia, glucosuria and insulin resistance, especially during high lactose in take. Based on this we have studied metabolic, endocrine and haematological traits in veal calves (Simmental x Red Holstein) fed FOS (10 g/day; group GrF) or no FOS (group GrC). Whole milk and milk replacer in both groups, on a kg body weight basis, were fed in identical amounts. Experiments, lastin g for 3 weeks, started when calves were 10 weeks old and weighed 117 kg. Du ring week 3 lactose was supplemented to enhance postabsorptive glucose load s. Feed intakes were similar in both groups, but weight gain tended to be h igher in GrF than GrC. The post-prandial increase of glucose concentrations was significantly smaller, of lactate tended to be smaller, and growth hor mone peak frequency tended to be lower, whereas maximal insulin concentrati ons reached post-prandially were significantly higher in GrF than GrC. Eosi nophil granulocytes increased during FOS feeding. In conclusion, FOS had ba sically similar effects on metabolic and endocrine traits in veal calves as in animals and humans with diabetes mellitus, but changes were small, albe it more prominent after lactose loads.