The efficient conversion of feed into its basic components for optimal nutrient absorption is vital for both broiler and broiler breeder production and welfare. Gut health, an intricate and complex area combining nutrition, microbiology, immunology and physiology, has a key role to play. When gut health is compromised, digestion and nutrient absorption are affected which, in turn, can have a detrimental effect on feed conversion leading to economic loss and a greater susceptibility to disease. In addition, recent changes in legislation on the use of antimicrobials, differing feed requirements and more efficient birds highlight the need for a better understanding of gut function and gut health.
Copper (Cu) is a vital element involved in cellular metabolism and enzyme systems. At levels greater than nutritional requirements, dietary Cu addition enhances growth performance as a growth promoter (Pesti and Bakalii, 1996). Copper dosing at levels up to 250 mg/kg feed has been shown to improve intestinal structure and function, and alter the intestinal microbiota profile (Di Giancamillo et al., 2018). However, a high level of copper in the sulphate form (CuSO 4 ) which is...
Coccidiosis is a widespread parasitic disease that can seriously harm the livestock industry, especially affecting poultry and swine. This disease causes inflammation of the intestines, slower growth rates, and in severe cases, high mortality. In this article, we will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for...
1. Introduction Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by an apicomplexan parasite of the genus Eimeria, which infects different parts of the intestinal tract depending on the species of Eimeria [1]. Eimeria spp. invade intestinal cells and cause physical damage to the intestinal epithelium, producing hemorrhagic diarrhea and disrupting the normal functioning of the intestinal tract [2]. This leads to impaired nutrient absorption and compromised gut health [3]. On the other hand,...
Introduction: “In poultry nutrition, emulsifiers are a type of surfactant used primarily to aid fat digestion by forming stable emulsions in the gut.” Emulsifiers and surfactants are essentially the same in terms of their function, with both terms referring to substances that reduce the surface tension between two immiscible phases, such as oil and water. While "emulsifiers"specifically focus on stabilizing emulsions (mixing two...
1. Introduction Corn ranks among the most globally cultivated cereals, with the production of more than 1200 million tons in the 2022/2023 harvest, mainly concentrated in the United States, China, and Brazil [1]. In Brazil, corn is the second most produced grain, following soybeans. For the 2023/2024 harvest, the estimated production in Brazil will exceed 118 million tons [2]. In the Brazilian market, the diversity of corn cultivars is substantial, whereby 98, 259, and 98...
In today's poultry industry, veterinarians, nutritionists, and animal production experts are facing challenges that go beyond sustainability and animal welfare. Nowadays, optimizing production efficiency and technological innovation are at the forefront of our concerns: Gut...
Kimberly Livingston, Director of Technical Service at Optum Immunity, shares her expertise on modulating the immune response in animal gut health, discussing the transformative role of feed additives like probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and immune modulators...
1. Introduction Emerging biomarkers hold the potential to revolutionize veterinary medicine by enabling swift disease diagnosis, enhancing animal health monitoring, and optimizing welfare and production efficiency [1]. Nevertheless, the journey from biomarker identification to practical application is often fraught with challenges. Existing diagnostic tools for assessing gut health in poultry suffer from drawbacks, including invasiveness, subjectivity, labor intensiveness, and/or...
As global animal production has rapidly shifted towards reduced Antibiotic free, “Gut health” has become a popular expression and all-encompassing concept in the scientific community. The gastro-intestinal tract must provide a barrier function protecting against harmful environmental elements (e.g. toxins and pathogenic microbes), while simultaneously permitting appropriate nutrient absorption. Successful animal performance depends on the interplay between the intestine,...
Mike Persia (Virginia Tech) talks about the benefits of Direct-Fed Microbials (also Sulfur Amino Acid supplementation) to help manage the adverse effects of heat stress, in this interview during IPPE 2023 in Atlanta, USA....
Introduction: Using low-dose antibiotics as feed additives can enhance poultry and swine performance. However, such practices have led to bacterial resistance and antibiotic residues in animal-derived foods. Consequently, there has been a shift towards finding replacements for antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs). Among the various alternatives, organic acids have emerged as a significant option. Acidifiers have gained attention as viable alternatives to antibiotics in poultry...
Grain management, food safety, genetics, biosecurity and bird health will be the featured topics at the 2025 Latin American Poultry Summit. The theme, “Factors Affecting Efficient Poultry Marketing,” will be explored through a robust program featuring technical experts, key...
Discover the power of butyric acid, a naturally occurring short-chain fatty acid found in animals. Used as a feed ingredient in poultry, swine, and calf production, butyric acid supports gut health and the immune system. Improve your animal's digestion and overall well-being with butyric acid. Visit our website to learn more and experience the benefits for yourself....
1. Introduction Gut microbiota, represented by bacteria, archaea, viruses, and eukaryotes, take part in regulating several functions in both humans and animals [1]. It has been estimated that the chicken gut can be colonized by at least 1000 different microbial strains that are involved in maintaining the intestinal health of hens while sustaining productivity and growth [2,3]. This microbiota takes part in various metabolic pathways related to nutrient digestion and absorption,...
Increasing prices and low availability of common feed raw materials resulted in the use of alternative ingredients in animal production. These ingredients are often characterised by a high amount of soluble fibre resulting in lower performance and intestinal health issues that limits their inclusion rate in the diet. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 (Ba) is a probiotic that can produce various metabolites and enzymes relieving the negative effects of soluble fiber and therefore it allows...
The 36th edition of the APSS will be held at The University of Sydney – Abercrombie Business School, from 10-12 February 2025.
These will be some of the major themes: Layer Nutrition and Egg Quality, Broiler Nutrition, Managing Antibiotic-free Production, Sustainable use of Protein Ingredients and...
Hector Salgado (Jefo Nutrition) presents his poster on alternatives to traditional anticoccidials, during the Symposium on Gut Health in St. Louis, USA....
In the quest for more productive animals, additives such as liquorice and peppermint are emerging as powerful tools in animal nutrition. These herbal ingredients offer a range of benefits, from improving digestion to supporting respiratory function, making them ideal supplements for optimising animal performance. By harnessing their unique...
Surfactin is a powerful biosurfactant with significant potential in the livestock industry. It is renowned for its strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it essential for enhancing animal gut health. By improving feed efficiency and boosting disease resistance, Surfactin plays a critical role...
José Henrique Stringhini (Federal University of Goiás) comments on the advantages of butyric acid compared to other additives and offers practical recommendations for its use in water or feed, during this Engormix interview....