Interaction of nutrition and infection in poultry - A review Mandal A.B.*, Elangovan A.V., Verma S.V.S. Division of Avian Nutrition and Feed Technology Central Avian Research Institute Izatnagar - 243 122, India *Reprint request: Dr. A.B. Mandal, Tel: +91-581-447223; Fax: +91-581-447321, E-mail: elangocari@rediffmail.com.
Abstract Nutrition is one of the major areas of importance amongst the acquired characteristics in relation to disease resistance. Nutrition of the host may affect pathogenesis either synergistically or antagonistically. In synergistic cases the host's impaired nutritional status tends to decrease the resistance for a pathogen. In antagonistic interaction impaired nutrition protests the host against the virulence of the pathogen, or infection may improve the nutritional status. Not a single nutrient acts prophylactically against infection. However, impaired nutrition is associated with reduced capacity of host to form specific antibodies, decrease in the phagocytic activity, altered tissue integrity, diminished inflammatory response, collagen formation and wound healing, and decreased antibody affinity and complement system. Again nutrition does not influence all infections equally and all nutrients do not have similar influence to a particular infection. Feeding management, different feed additives and toxins may also influence the immunocompetence of the birds. The present review highlights the mainstream research and speculates on areas, which need consideration. Top Key words Disease, Feed toxins, Immunity, Interaction, Nutrients, Probiotics. Top |