Enhancing gastrointestinal development and functionality in chickens through fiber nutrition

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Globally, chicken meat is one of the most popular sources of animal protein for human consumption, with increasing consumer demand, which is associated with its health benefit and low environmental footprint. Traditionally, antibiotics have been used to prevent enteric diseases in poultry production. However, there is progressive decline in the use of antibiotics in many parts of the world, because of increase in development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, which poses threats to human health. Consequently, there is increasing risk of colonization by pathogenic bacteria that can impair chicken health and cause food-borne infections in humans, resulting in significant economic losses. Functional gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a proven tool to prevent these infections, because disruption of intestinal mucosa and microflora are the essential mechanisms by which pathogens cause havoc to poultry. Dietary fiber, rich in phenolic compounds (DF-PC) from locally available materials such as seaweed (SW), grape pomace (GP) and red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera; ROD) can serve as multiple-edged sword to promote chicken GIT functionality by preventing oxidative stress (phenolic fraction) and improving GIT epithelial integrity (non-starch polysaccharide fractions), without reducing growth performance. It is more likely that this combinational approach will achieve the needed breakthrough to eliminate or reduce the use of antibiotics in poultry production. The long term goal of my research program is to investigate bioactive compounds and novel delivery strategies for optimal growth and GIT health and development of chickens. The short term objectives of the next five year cycle  are to: 1) Characterize SW, GP, and ROD and identify their potential prebiotic components for chickens; 2) investigate gut morphology, gene expression of tight junction proteins, SCFA production and gut microbial population in chickens fed SW, GP, ROD and their enzymatically-released bioactive components; and 3) Develop in ovo delivery strategy for enzymatically-released bioactive components of SW in broiler chickens and the effect on GIT integrity during disease challenge conditions. The proposed studies will result in improvement of GIT functionality and development in chickens, improve nutrient utilization, minimize the risk of bacterial infections and reduce dependence on antibiotics in chicken production. The establishment of a healthy GIT environment in broiler chickens offers an opportunity to reduce cost of production and consequently increase profitability and sustainability. The results of this project will also provide control measures for the associated human illnesses, as well as reducing the incidence of antibiotic resistance, thus reducing Canada's expenditure on healthcare. The research will offer an excellent opportunity to train 6 HQPs (2 PhD, 2 MSc and 2 Undergraduate students) and equip them with experience that will further advance the Canadian economy.