Role of Gut Microbiota in Animal Nutrition and Health
Keywords:
gut microbiota, animal nutrition, gut health, probiotics, dysbiosis, ruminants, poultry, swine, immune function, microbiomeAbstract
The gut microbiota constitutes a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, playing an indispensable role in host nutrition, immunity, and overall health. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current understanding of gut microbiota composition, its functional contributions to nutrient digestion, energy harvest, immune modulation, and disease prevention in domestic and production animals. Drawing on literature published between 2010 and 2016, the review examines how microbial communities are shaped by dietary factors, host genetics, age, and environmental influences. The roles of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics as modulators of gut microbiota are explored, alongside the consequences of dysbiosis for animal health and production performance. Special attention is given to ruminants, poultry, swine, and companion animals. The paper concludes by identifying gaps in current knowledge and directions for future research aimed at harnessing the gut microbiome for improved animal health outcomes and sustainable animal production.
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