Is Intestinal Absorption Capacity Rate-Limiting for Performance in Poultry?

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing perception that limitations in gastrointestinal absorption may be detrimental to posthatch survival and subsequent performance. This perception is based on a large body of information demonstrating that genetic selection for growth in domestic poultry alters intestinal structure from that of their wild counterparts. Furthermore, recent advances in our understanding of the energetic costs of absorption suggest that biochemical as well as structural changes in intestinal function have decreased absorptive function and efficiency in both chickens and turkeys. The recent discovery that some gastrointestinal peptides enhance nutrient absorption has allowed limited, direct testing of this hypothesis. The results of preliminary studies indicate that intestinal absorption enhancement technology may have beneficial practical application. More detailed studies are needed to fully assess the economic potential of intestinal absorption enhancement in poultry.