Animal Nutrition and Physiology

Animal nutrition and physiology examines how dietary inputs — from amino acids and enzymes to microbial supplements — shape the biological processes that govern growth, health, and productivity in livestock. As regulatory pressure mounts against routine antibiotic use in farming, researchers are working to understand how the gut microbiota mediates immunity and digestion, and whether probiotics or other feed additives can reliably substitute for the growth-promoting effects antibiotics once provided. Poultry and swine receive particular attention because their rapid production cycles make them sensitive test cases for interventions targeting intestinal barrier function and nutrient absorption. Open questions center on how environmental stressors like heat disrupt gut physiology at the molecular level, and how feed formulations can be tailored to restore resilience without compromising efficiency or animal welfare.

Works

195,814

Total citations

2,263,622

Keywords

Amino AcidsGut MicrobiotaProbioticsAntibiotic AlternativesPoultry ProductionDigestive Health