Milk oligosaccharides play a key role in the healthy development of young animals, supporting gut health, immunity, and defence against infections. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides translate nature's own bioactive strategy into a science-backed ingredient for the animal feed market.
Supporting healthy development from the very first days
The health and performance of young animals during the critical early development period has a lasting impact on their long-term health and productivity. In livestock production systems spanning calves, piglets, goat kids, poultry, and beyond, supporting gut health, immune function, and resistance to infection during this vulnerable window is one of the most important nutritional challenges facing the animal feed industry. Milk replacer formulations for young calves represent one of the most commercially developed applications for milk oligosaccharide-based feed ingredients, where gut development, immune priming, and pathogen defence in the first weeks of life directly determine animal performance.
Almost all mammals produce complex oligosaccharides in their milk specifically to support the early development of their young, providing gut protection, immune stimulation, and defence against pathogens from the very first days of life 1. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides translate this natural bioactive strategy into a commercially viable ingredient for the animal feed sector, with demonstrated applicability across multiple species and production systems.
SCIENCE-BACKED ANIMAL HEALTH
Gut health and immunity for the next generation
The scientific evidence supporting the use of milk oligosaccharides in young animals spans gut health, immunity, and pathogen defence, with studies conducted across a range of commercially relevant species. In the gut, milk oligosaccharides may support intestinal wall development and barrier function, contributing to a healthier gut environment during the critical early development period 2. In calves, scientific evidence from milk replacer trials suggests that milk oligosaccharide supplementation may positively influence intestinal wall cell growth and improved gut barrier function 3. The intestinal wall and mucus layer form an important barrier that may help prevent pathogens from entering the body.
With respect to immunity, published research suggests that HMOs can increase natural killer cell populations in neonatal piglets, pointing to a meaningful role in early immune development 4. Specific HMOs have been shown to inhibit rotavirus infectivity in acutely infected piglets, and to demonstrate broad-spectrum neutralisation of avian influenza H9N2 in chickens, highlighting the potential of targeted MO structures for pathogen defence across livestock and poultry species 5,6.
Already incorporated in commercially available milk replacer products, GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides have demonstrated real-world applicability in the animal feed sector. Their high solubility and processing stability make them compatible with standard feed manufacturing processes, including pelleting, mixing, and liquid feed and milk replacer applications. Whether targeting gut health, immune support, or pathogen defence in young livestock or poultry, GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides offer a scientifically credible and versatile ingredient for the next generation of functional animal feed formulations.
References
1 Durham et al. (2023). Creation of a milk oligosaccharide database, MilkOligoDB, reveals common structural motifs and extensive diversity across mammals. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 10345.
2 Kong et al. (2019). Modulation of intestinal epithelial glycocalyx development by human milk oligosaccharides and non-digestible carbohydrates. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 63(17), e1900303.
4 Comstock et al. (2017). Dietary human milk oligosaccharides but not prebiotic oligosaccharides increase circulating natural killer cell and mesenteric lymph node memory T cell populations in noninfected and rotavirus-infected neonatal piglets. Journal of Nutrition, 147(6), 1041–1047.
5 Hester et al. (2013). Human milk oligosaccharides inhibit rotavirus infectivity in vitro and in acutely infected piglets. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(7), 1233–1242.
6 Pandey et al. (2018). Broad-spectrum neutralization of avian influenza viruses by sialylated human milk oligosaccharides: in vivo assessment of 3'-sialyllactose against H9N2 in chickens. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 2563.
APPLICATIONS
Discover all applications
Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
Early life nutrition
The most established market for HMOs, covering infant formula,
follow-on milk and complementary foods. Six regulatory-approved
ingredients, supported by an extensive body of publicly available
scientific and clinical literature.
Dietary supplements
GlycoActiveTM HMOs offer formulators fully compliant ingredients, versatile across capsules, powders and functional formats, with a well-established scientific foundation across multiple health areas. A fast-
growing market where science and consumer trust go hand in hand.
Functional food and beverages
Consumer demand for functional food and beverages is accelerating. GlycoActiveTM HMOs are odourless, taste-neutral, highly soluble, and heat-resistant, making them easy to incorporate across a wide range of product formats.
Medical nutrition
Patients with specific medical and nutritional needs require ingredients with the highest quality and regulatory standards. GlycoActiveTM HMOs meet those standards and can aid to support their recovery, health
and well-being.
Pet nutrition
The nutritional market for companion animals is growing, with increasing demand for science-backed ingredients. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides offer a unique positioning in gut health and joint mobility.
Animal feed
Mammals have their own arsenal of milk carbohydrates to support the healthy development of young animals. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides bring those same nature-identical glycans to animal feed, with evidence in supporting gut health, immunity, and infection prevention.
Frequently asked questions
Learn more about Inbiose and our HMO ingredients, applications, health benefits and technology platform.
What is the scientific evidence for milk oligosaccharides in animal feed?
The scientific evidence supporting the use of milk oligosaccharides in young animals spans gut health, immunity, and pathogen defence, with studies conducted across various commercially relevant species. For more specific information relevant to your application, please contact our team.
Are GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides already used in commercial animal feed products?
Yes. GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides are already incorporated in commercially available milk replacer products, demonstrating real-world applicability in the animal feed sector.
What feed formats are GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides compatible with?
GlycoActiveTM milk oligosaccharides are compatible with standard feed manufacturing processes including pelleting, mixing, and liquid feed applications such as milk replacers. Their high solubility and processing stability make them well-suited for integration across a range of feed formats.
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Regulatory-approved ingredients serving the widest range of nutritional applications for every stage of life in both humans and animals.
