Edited by A. Piva, K. E. Bach Knudsen and J. E. Lindberg
With an increasning awareness amongst politicians and consumers, and in the food industry, of the human health risks of the regular use of feed antibiotics as growth promoters in animal production, this production model has been questioned. However, in order to make a change in production model possible more knowledge is needed on alternative ways for the prevention of health problems in pigs. The underlying science related to this area is highlighted.
Contents
- Preface
- Morphological and functional changes in the small intestine of the newly-weaned pig
- The role of polyamines in intestinal function and gut maturation
- Glutamine in gut metabolism
- The influence of feed composition on protein metabolism in the gut
- Organic acid production in the large intestine: implication for epithelial cell proliferation and cell death
- Action of n-butyrate at the level of gene expression in the colonic mucosa: lessons from pig and rat experiments
- Microorganisms exert bioactive and protective effects through the innate immune system
- Luminal bacteria: regulation of gut function and immunity
- The "biotic" approach to enhancing animal health and performance
- The use of nondigestible oligosaccharides to manage the gastrointestinal ecosystem
- Lectin microbial interactions in the gut
- Modulation of the gut microflora by enzyme addition
- Organic acids – their efficacy and modes of action in pigs
- Safety aspects on non-use of antimicrobials as growth promoters
- Current status and future perspectives in E.U. for antibiotics, probiotics, enzymes and organic acids in animal nutrition