Potential biomarkers of gut health in broilers

Alternative grains, such as wheat, barley and rye which are high in non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), can have a substantial negative impact on monogastric digestion and animal performance. Chickens have little or no intrinsic enzymes capable of hydrolyzing these NSP, leading to restricted digestibility of feed ingredients and significant reductions in growth. Undigested feed ingredients in the gut provide nutrients for bacteria overgrowth in the hind gut, which can lead to dysbacteriosis. High NSP diets have also been associated with bacterial diseases that have major economic implications in broiler chickens.
In a recent research study entitled "Identification of potential biomarkers for gut barrier failure in broiler chickens," published in Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences, Novus International, Inc., and University of Arkansas researchers used coccidiosis over-vaccination to trigger a gut health challenge in broiler chickens fed a wheat–barley–rye diet. The overall growth performance and feed efficiency were severely reduced by this gut barrier failure (GBF) model. The results of this study are in agreement with previous studies that concluded high NSP diets compromised growth performance in chickens.
The purpose of the study was not to determine the individual effects of diet ingredients or coccidia challenge, but rather to determine potential biomarkers that may be used to define GBF in future studies. Biomarkers could be useful to monitor poultry health and understand disease mechanisms.
"This research demonstrates Novus's commitment to the understanding of basic physiological and metabolic processes in poultry," said Jeffery Escobar, Executive Manager of Physiology Research at Novus. "The results of this study will allow scientists at Novus, academia, and other poultry researchers to perform better evaluations of gut health parameters and enhance the ability to test solutions, which can translate into safer poultry products for human consumption."
To review the full study, visit this link.

Breaking new ground in oxidative stress and gut microflora in swine

Lallemand Animal Nutrition R&D team recently participated in the 13^th Digestive Physiology of Pigs (DDP) Congress, in Kliczków, Poland. Around 400 people, mostly international researchers, attended this highly-regarded scientific event. This was the opportunity for Lallemand Animal Nutrition to establish its position in swine nutrition and confirm the company’s commitment to drive animal research forward. Two studies, conducted in partnership with IFIP (French Swine Institute) were presented during poster sessions. These studies bring tools and answers to the field of pig nutrition and help better understand and back up the role and effects of our antioxidant and probiotic solutions.
The first study focuses on building an effective model of oxidative stress in weaned piglet, since weaning is a key stressful period in swine production. This model was then validated with an antioxidant supplementation: vitamin E, organic selenium ALKOSEL^® and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-rich melon pulp concentrate MELOFEED^®. It was shown that heat stress and vaccination, used as stress triggers, were associated to different specific biomarkers of oxidative stress. Both were linked to reduced zootechnical performance. The antioxidant combination supplementation had a positive effect on stress biomarkers and performance. This oxidative stress model received much interest from participants at the symposium and will certainly prove useful in the future to evaluate nutritional strategies to prevent or limit oxidative stress. The study also further confirms the interest of appropriate antioxidant strategies during stress periods.
The second study is aimed at better describing the sow’s digestive microflora. While increasing data suggest that rearing practices and feed composition have a strong impact on sow and piglet productivity and welfare through modulation of the sow’s gut microbial populations, the sow microbiota structure and functions are still poorly known. This study presents the first description of both bacterial and archaeal taxonomic composition along the sow gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Lallemand Animal Nutrition microbiology experts applied high throughput DNA sequencing techniques in order to assess the abundance, diversity and richness of bacteria and archaea populations in the different compartments of the sow GIT. It was concluded that repartition of bacteria and archaea differed along the sow GIT, probably linked with substrate availability and physico-chemical conditions. More needs to be elucidated, in particular through functional studies of the various microbial populations and the impact of dietary and physiological factors. However, this study already suggests that, contrarily to what is often admitted, fecal microflora may be not so representative of microbial ecosystem in the colon. This kind of studies will also be very valuable to better understand the effects and modes of action of probiotics solutions.
Organized every third year since 1979, DDP symposium presents the most cutting-edge research in digestive physiology of the pig as well as some very applied research efforts related to proper research methodologies, intestinal health, and nutrient digestion/absorption.

Microbiota plays major role in long-term animal health

On the eve of Eurotier, speakers at Nukamel’s Intestinal Health roadshow focused on the importance of developing animal immunity and gut health early in life to ensure its long-term performance.
Regardless of species, there are many environmental and physiological influencing an animal’s ability to fight off disease; however, specialized feeding solutions can pay off in strengthening its immunity to pathogens and ultimately increasing its output. 
Early microbiota cultivation supports immunity
Microbiota prevents the penetration of pathogens under the epithelial layer of the gut; it also aids in producing the preferred and appropriate immune response. The panel of four researchers from Europe and the United States agreed that the manipulation of the gut’s microbial composition during the first days of life will produce either beneficial or detrimental outcomes for the animal further down the road. 
For example, if antibiotics are introduced too early, it will have a negative effect on the development of the microbiota well beyond initial the exposure. According to Dr. Robert Corbett, president of Dairy Health Consultation, the microflora of young animals exposed to antibiotics takes longer to replenish and actually delays the animal’s recovery.
Similarly, the swine industry has neglected to pay attention to the critical pre-weaning stage to develop the strength of a piglet’s digestive tract.
“The gut is very complex and serves a variety of functions,” says Dr. Alfons Jansman, senior scientist – animal nutrition, Wageningen UR Livestock Research. “We need more fundamental knowledge of these systems and should shape intestinal microbiota and microflora prior to weaning in suckling piglets – which would be new way of thinking.”
In Jansman’s opinion, producers must support the various aspect of the immune system, such as its barrier function to prevent allergic reactions and other inclement conditions, suggesting that producers not downgrade the importance of immunity to improve FCR and growth. 
As such, the immune system must be ready to react if needed, so “it’s important to improve the nutrition status of the animal and meet its requirements in volume and nutrient composition.” 
Leaky gut poses major challenge
According to Professor Richard Ducatelle from the University of Ghent, today’s animals have the genetic capacity to achieve a high-level of performance, but “the challenge lies with nutrition, which needs to catch up and to get the best out of the animals.” 
This can be achieved with a diet that meets the animal’s demands, but this strategy can backfire if the animal is ill. Leaky gut, for example, will be one of the biggest challenges for poultry producers in the years to come.
Leaky gut, a condition where body fluids leak into lumen and make feces more liquid, “must be avoided by all means.”
“The thickness of the intestinal wall is determined by thickness of intestinal layer,” he says. “It should be thick because the mucosa should have a contractual power – if it’s weak, digestion is less effective. There are more immune cells in the gut than any other portion of the body. Immune suppression or immune stimulation is a controversial topic.”
In his opinion, the nutritionist should aim to move from a reactive position -- from a state of defense to one of absorption -- by improving the animal’s oral tolerance through proper nutrition.
Additives influence health
Antioxidants play an important role in reducing inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of death in animals.
“We can help the animal though nutrients, but also by giving it anti-oxidative power,” Ducatelle suggests.
Depending on the maturation of the mucosa, overdosing organic acids can have a detrimental effect on the intestinal health of a young animal. In addition, high-quality colostrum also affects an animal’s gene expression and plays an important role in building the health of young animals.
“Environment and nutrition play an important role in how the animal develops, but there are other influences which influence its genetic disposition for disease,” Jansman notes, pointing to gut health as the source of prolonged health and performance. 
According to Nukamel’s managing director Jan Druyts, the proper nutrition of young animals favors a gradual building up of the microbial population of the gut: “In commercial husbandry, animals are fed intensively and perform at the maximum of their potential. The balance between oral tolerance and immune stimulation – and overstimulation – is of utmost importance. The base for this is established in the gut in the early stages of life; therefore, investing in high-quality feeding of young animals pays off in the later stages of life.”
Hanover was the third and final stop on Nukamel’s Intestinal Health World Tour. Two additional events, one on Chile and the other in Bangkok, were held earlier this year. 2014 marks the company’s 60^th anniversary. 
Eurotier will be held in Hanover, Germany, on November 11-14.