ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE July 2023 33 In the bottom line, the heat stress challenge also affected performance, affecting feed conversion (9 points lower) and body weight (3% lower). The optimal supporting product was able to efficiently reduce the LPS exposure for the pullets and thus inflammation and oxidative stress were reduced, as a consequence energy could be driven to performance evidenced by a better BW and FCR. SUMMARY Heat stress is a common reality in poultry production, its effects are quite complex and harmful and depend on the intensity and duration of the exposure to high temperatures. By lowering feed digestibility, increasing gut permeability, and compromising immunity, heat stress leaves animals more susceptible to gut-health related issues such as dysbacteriosis and necrotic enteritis – and thus may increase the need to use antibiotics. Additionally, the passage of LPS through the permeable gut induces inflammation and further damage to animal welfare, health and performance. Mitigation strategies, including support to the gut oxidative balance and lowering LPS-induced inflammation are crucial to support poultry animals in these critical periods. References are available on request. Figure 6. Antioxidant capacity of pullets during heat stress (wk 9 and 10). (*) indicates significant differences (P<0,05), and (‡) a tendency to be different against the control group (P<0,1). Parameters measured are total antioxidant capacity (TAC), super oxide dismutase (SOD), gluthatione peroxidase (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA). About Marisabel Caballero Marisabel Caballero has around 20 years of experience in the animal production industry, including management of breeder farms (Cargill Meat Solutions), with an emphasis on poultry nutrition (Cargill Animal Nutrition) and toxin risk management (EW Nutrition GmbH). Marisabel has a background in agriculture (EAP-Zamorano, Honduras) and post-graduate studies in animal welfare, production (The University of Edinburgh), and business (EADE, Spain). Her focus as Global Technical Manager for Poultry with EW Nutrition GmbH is to improve broiler and layer breeder’s health and welfare and day-old chick quality through nutrition, including with the use of feed additives. Marisabel also works on developments related to toxin risk management for several animal species, conducting practical trials and advising in these fields.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==