ARS | Publication request: PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, SYNBIOTICS AND THEIR ROLL ON INTESTINAL INTEGRITY

Submitted to: National Association of Specialists of Avian Science
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: February 12, 2003
Publication Date: April 1, 2003
Citation: Tellez, G., Nava, G., Vicente, J., Donoghue, A.M., Donoghue, D., Hargis, B. 2003. Prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and their roll on intestinal integrity [CD-ROM]. Version 1. Mexico City, MX: National Association of Specialists of Avian Science.

Technical Abstract: The gastrointestinal tract serves as the interface between diet and the metabolic events that sustain life. Intestinal villi, which play a crucial role in digestion and absorption of nutrients, are underdeveloped at hatch and maximum absorption capacity is attained by 10 days of age. Understanding and optimizing the maturation and development of the intestine in poultry will improve feed efficiency, growth and over all health of the bird. Studies on nutrition and metabolism during the early phase of growth in chicks may; therefore, help in optimizing nutritional management for maximum growth. By dietary means it is possible to affect the development of the gut and the competitiveness of both beneficial and harmful bacteria, which can alter not only gut dynamics, but also many physiologic processes due to the end products metabolized by symbiotic gut microflora. Additives such as enzymes, probiotics and prebiotics are now extensively used throughout the world. The chemical nature of these additives are well understood, but the manner by which they benefit the animal is not.