ISSUE FOCUS 28 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE October 2023 ly little is known on how nutrients can alter development and function of the GALT, it has been observed that diet can modulate the development of GALT as feeding a casein-based formula to newborn piglets may compromise the development of GALT and systemic immune system. Nutrients intake and microbiota colonization promotes GALT development, which occurs in parallel with the development of the GIT, resulting in a functional immune system. The GALT promotes gastrointestinal functionality by discerning non-pathogenic and pathogenic antigens and feedborne threads to the host. This homeostatic orientation is continuously challenged by physiological events and accelerated productive performances which can result in a dysregulation of the immune response in the GIT. WELFARE When animals are challenged during harsh environmental conditions (heat stress), poor hygiene, high stocking rates or physiological stages of their productive life (pregnancy and lactation), it is critical to assure that nutrient supply not only meets their requirements but also maximizes GALT function and maintains optimal animal welfare. Functional ingredients can lift animal production performances while maintaining health & welfare. Optimal gastrointestinal functionality is crucial for animal health, their performances and welfare and the environment because it improves feed efficiency, reduces use of antibiotics, and sustains food safety. Therefore, optimization of gastrointestinal functionality will promote sustainable animal production. EFFECTIVE IMMUNE STATUS While it is clear that feeding a diet that fails to provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients will immune-compromise the animal, there are some crucial questions that need to be addressed to advance our knowledge in dietary immunomodulation. For example, how do specific nutrients modulate the development of the mucosal immune system and what are the critical windows for intervention? What are the relationships between the microbiota and the host’s immune system? It has been proposed that the host and microbiota form a ‘superorganism’ and that “the immune system is not a killer, but a force that shapes homeostasis in the superorganism” (Eberl, 2010). The establishment and the maintenance of homeostasis is dependent on many factors and this brings further support to our multidisciplinary definition of gut health which combines gut physiology, endocrinology, microbiology, immunology and nutrition.
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