Mechanism of action of antibiotic growth promoters: Alteration of immune response and intestinal microbiome

Authors: Lillehoj, Hyun

Submitted to: American Association of Avian Pathologist
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/1/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Antibiotic overuse and abuse on a global scale has led to the emergence of multi-drug resistant “superbugs” from food animals and humans. The United States Food and Drug Administration has requested that agriculture producers discontinue sub-therapeutic dosing of antibiotics into animal feed, which for over 60 years, was the common practice to promote their economic value by increasing feed efficiency and growth. To develop non-antibiotic feed additive(s) that promote the growth and health of commercial poultry, we initiated intercorrelated omics-based strategy to better understanding of mode of action of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) and dietary modulation of immunity that will ultimately improve on-farm animal performance. It is believed that over 100 trillion microbes make up the animal gut microbiome. These microorganisms decompose indigestible substances such as fiber, providing an energy source for their host. They also metabolize ingested food to produce various beneficial “postbiotic” compounds, including amino acids, vitamins, and short-chain fatty acids such as acetic acid and butyric acid that impact appetite, growth and immunity. This talk will primarily focus on our recent study to identify metabolites produced in response to growth promoting antibiotics as post-transcriptional markers that correspond to increased feeding and growth for better understanding of the mechanisms of action involved in antibiotic growth promotion. These results provide the framework for future studies to identify natural chemical compounds to improve poultry growth performance without the use of in-feed antibiotics.