Anta®Pro EF in Poultry Nutrition

Stress and a low tolerance against pathogens from the feed may often lead to bacterial infections of the gut in poultry. Since the intestinal tract in the animal contains a lot of defence mechanisms against the establishment of a pathogenic flora, it is of the utmost importance to maintain health and functionality of the gut through nutritional means. The gastro intestinal flora in poultry represents a complex ecosystem comprised of many different species of bacteria. The more varied the existing flora, the more stable is this system.

The microflora builds a microbial barrier in the gut which protects the mucosa and prevents the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria (competitive inhibition). The positive bacteria include bifidobacteria and lactobacilli which produce lactic acid and help sustain a low pH (fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Function of the positive flora in the gut of poultry

Mode of action of Anta®Pro EF

The widespread use of antibiotics as a therapeutic agent or as a growth promoter in animal production has in the past increased the risk of antibiotic resistance and the build up of residues in animal products. The therapeutic efficacy of antibiotics is consequently lessened.
The application of Anta^®Pro EF and the utilisation of competitive exclusion lead to an optimised production. By stabilising the natural intestinal flora, colonisation with pathogenic bacteria can be counteracted and the application of antibiotics can be reduced. In addition, Anta^®Pro EF may stimulate the immune response of the animals by increasing the build up of antibodies.

The maintenance of a correctly functioning digestive system represents a reduction of stress for the animal. The stabilisation of the physiological digestive condition improves the resorption of nutrients and the feed conversion rate of the animal.

In a trial at the University of Cairo (Faculty of Agriculture) an improvement of performance in production and health of broilers could be shown (fig. 2). The trial was conducted with a total of 17500 chickens over a period of 35 days. The birds were allocated to a negative control group and the treatment group. In the treatment group Anta^®Pro EF was administered twice over a period of three days at 6 days of age and again at 22 days of age.

While the feed conversion rate was the same in both groups, Anta^®Pro EF led to an increased body weight (1.95 kg vs 2.01 kg) and a markedly reduced mortality which in turn increased the European Production Index from 306.5 to 327.5.

Fig. 2: Efficacy of Anta^®Pro EF in broiler production

In conclusion

The performance of livestock is closely interrelated with the microbial colonisation of the host animal. Anta^®Pro EF produces beneficial effects in farm animals by modification of the intestinal micro flora. An important factor is the formation of a microbial barrier in the gut and the influence on pathogenic bacteria.

Anta^®Pro EF is therefore a reasonable alternative for the production of healthy meat products especially in view of the negative discussion concerning the application of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal nutrition in recent years.