Prebiotics, Probiotics and Gut Microbiome in Poultry

Dear Colleagues,

The chicken gastrointestinal tract harbours a complex and dynamic population of microorganisms, the gut microbiota, which exerts a marked influence on the host during homeostasis and disease. Chicken gut microbiota function mainly through competitive exclusion of detrimental microorganisms and pathogens, preventing colonization and therefore decreasing the expense of energy that birds normally invest in keeping the immune system active against these pathogens. Traditionally, sub-therapeutic use of antibiotic growth promoters has minimized the occurrence of subclinical infections, reduced morbidity, and mortality, increased nutrient efficiency, and improved growth performance through modifying poultry gut health. However, evidence now abounds that the sub-therapeutic use of AGP in the livestock industry contributes to the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, a public health concern. Thus, country-specific bans for antibiotic growth promoters used in the poultry industry are now in place. These restrictions have called for the rapid development of effective alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. Probiotics and prebiotics are two promising alternatives for poultry production, but inconsistent results have been reported, calling for more mechanistic investigations. Probiotics are viable microorganisms and the direct feeding of microbial cultures may affect the composition of intestinal microbiota. On the other hand, prebiotics are selectively fermented ingredients which allow specific changes in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confer benefits to host well-being and health.

This Research Topic will be open for reviews and original articles dealing with, but not limited to:

• In vitro selection of probiotics and prebiotics using genomics, genetics and metabolomics tools.
• In vivo effects of probiotics and prebiotics: types, modes of action and impacts on bird's health and production.
• Probiotics, prebiotics and the microbiome: an ecological perspective.
• Social and economical aspects of using probiotics and prebiotics in poultry production

Dr. Wei Si
Prof. Dr. Qi Xu
Prof. Dr. Xin Zhao
Guest Editors

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