IMMUNONUTRITION FOR HEALTH AND PRODUCTION IN PIGS AND BROILERS

The reduction of antibiotic use in livestock as an emerging public health response, as well as the continued increase in the global need for animal-based proteins, requires holistic approaches to address these current challenges in animal production. Immunonutrition is a promising field that allows modulate immune system responses through interventions with specific nutrients that have a functional role. This approach nowadays becomes more and more associated with attempts to improve gut health which allow to maintain or even in some cases improve animal performance. By designing a panel of biomarkers for the animal’s overall health, including that of intestine, based on an approach combining data mining, controlled trials and field trials with invasive and non-invasive measures, this project will help understand the role of antibiotic growth promoters to effectively replace them, especially those used in prevention to maintain or improve health. The second objective will be the development of tailored nutritional strategies with ingredients that present functional role including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The Centre de Recherche en Sciences Animales de Deschambault (CRSAD) as a partner will develop and gain expertise in the global use of nutritional alternatives to replace antibiotic utilization on the farms.

Faculty Supervisor:

Marie-Pierre Létourneau-Montminy

Student:

Partner:

Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université Laval

Program: