Avian Immunology


Book Description

The second edition of Avian Immunology provides an up-to-date overview of the current knowledge of avian immunology. From the ontogeny of the avian immune system to practical application in vaccinology, the book encompasses all aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in chickens. In addition, chapters are devoted to the immunology of other commercially important species such as turkeys and ducks, and to ecoimmunology summarizing the knowledge of immune responses in free-living birds often in relation to reproductive success. The book contains a detailed description of the avian innate immune system, encompassing the mucosal, enteric, respiratory and reproductive systems. The diseases and disorders it covers include immunodepressive diseases and immune evasion, autoimmune diseases, and tumors of the immune system. Practical aspects of vaccination are examined as well. Extensive appendices summarize resources for scientists including cell lines, inbred chicken lines, cytokines, chemokines, and monoclonal antibodies. The world-wide importance of poultry protein for the human diet, as well as the threat of avian influenza pandemics like H5N1 and heavy reliance on vaccination to protect commercial flocks makes this book a vital resource. This book provides crucial information not only for poultry health professionals and avian biologists, but also for comparative and veterinary immunologists, graduate students and veterinary students with an interest in avian immunology. - With contributions from 33 of the foremost international experts in the field, this book provides the most up-to-date review of avian immunology so far - Contains a detailed description of the avian innate immune system reviewing constitutive barriers, chemical and cellular responses; it includes a comprehensive review of avian Toll-like receptors - Contains a wide-ranging review of the "ecoimmunology" of free-living avian species, as applied to studies of population dynamics, and reviews methods and resources available for carrying out such research




Antimicrobial Growth Promoters


Book Description

This book discusses how this will affect the use/non-use practice of AGPs.




Intestinal health


Book Description

Livestock production is changing worldwide. Amongst the changes are those instigated by legislation such as restrictions on antibiotics and antibiotic growth promoters, well fare regulations, etc., all forcing livestock producers to adapt to new husbandry, management, nutrition and healthcare techniques. Food safety is an explosive political issue. The expectations and demands of the informed consumer have altered perceptions of risk and brought food safety to the very front and centre of politics. The gastrointestinal tract is essential in the maintenance of health, wellbeing and production in livestock. The above changes impact feed formulation. The industry looks for alternatives to maintain intestinal health and maximise animal performance, whilst complying with increasingly stringent legislation. This requires a good understanding of the physiological processes involved. In this book, the current knowledge in the major monogastric production species (pigs and chicken) is reviewed by renowned experts in the field. It describes infectious and non-infectious challenges as well as the complex interaction between innate, cellular and humoral immunity and performance. The problems that this complexity poses concerning the identification of important factors for intestinal health are discussed. 'Intestinal health' also reviews promising new approaches such as the use and development of validated biomarkers, and the application of omics techniques and systems biology.




The New Science of Metagenomics


Book Description

Although we can't usually see them, microbes are essential for every part of human life-indeed all life on Earth. The emerging field of metagenomics offers a new way of exploring the microbial world that will transform modern microbiology and lead to practical applications in medicine, agriculture, alternative energy, environmental remediation, and many others areas. Metagenomics allows researchers to look at the genomes of all of the microbes in an environment at once, providing a "meta" view of the whole microbial community and the complex interactions within it. It's a quantum leap beyond traditional research techniques that rely on studying-one at a time-the few microbes that can be grown in the laboratory. At the request of the National Science Foundation, five Institutes of the National Institutes of Health, and the Department of Energy, the National Research Council organized a committee to address the current state of metagenomics and identify obstacles current researchers are facing in order to determine how to best support the field and encourage its success. The New Science of Metagenomics recommends the establishment of a "Global Metagenomics Initiative" comprising a small number of large-scale metagenomics projects as well as many medium- and small-scale projects to advance the technology and develop the standard practices needed to advance the field. The report also addresses database needs, methodological challenges, and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in supporting this new field.




Enzymes in Farm Animal Nutrition


Book Description

"This fully updated new edition provides a comprehensive guide to enzyme-supplemented animal feeds. It explores using enzymes in fish and shrimp diets, new understanding of how phytases function, and NSPase research. It also includes new chapters on enzyme combinations, antibiotic free diets and measuring response in feed trials"--




Prebiotics and Probiotics Science and Technology


Book Description

A comprehensive overview on the advances in the field, this volume presents the science underpinning the probiotic and prebiotic effects, the latest in vivo studies, the technological issues in the development and manufacture of these types of products, and the regulatory issues involved. It will be a useful reference for both scientists and technologists working in academic and governmental institutes, and the industry.




Immunology and Developmental Biology of the Chicken


Book Description

Books on both chicken immunology and developmental biology are rare. This one, however, summarizes all aspects of both areas and therefore represents a valuable compendium for experienced researchers as well as for all newcomers to the field. Following a lengthy discussion of the origin of hemopoietic cells, regulatory elements for the differentiation of these cells and B and T cell lymphopoiesis, the book goes on to describe the generation of transgenic chickens as well as an additional basic feature in embryogenesis: the positioning of organ anlage, e.g. the limb bud. To round off, a valuable compilation of monoclonal antibodies further enhances the practical usefulness of this important book.




The Human Microbiome, Diet, and Health


Book Description

The Food Forum convened a public workshop on February 22-23, 2012, to explore current and emerging knowledge of the human microbiome, its role in human health, its interaction with the diet, and the translation of new research findings into tools and products that improve the nutritional quality of the food supply. The Human Microbiome, Diet, and Health: Workshop Summary summarizes the presentations and discussions that took place during the workshop. Over the two day workshop, several themes covered included: The microbiome is integral to human physiology, health, and disease. The microbiome is arguably the most intimate connection that humans have with their external environment, mostly through diet. Given the emerging nature of research on the microbiome, some important methodology issues might still have to be resolved with respect to undersampling and a lack of causal and mechanistic studies. Dietary interventions intended to have an impact on host biology via their impact on the microbiome are being developed, and the market for these products is seeing tremendous success. However, the current regulatory framework poses challenges to industry interest and investment.




Phytate Destruction


Book Description

Incorporating research chapters from academic authors around the world, this book focuses on the most recent scientific advances in understanding phytate; both IP6 and its esters. It examines phytate degradation patterns in the gastrointestinal tract, and investigates the relevance of gut microbiome and endogenous phosphatases on phytate breakdown, as well as regulation and functions of inositol diphosphates IP3, IP4, and IP7, IP8. It also identifies recommendations for formulating for minerals and amino acids in the presence of phytate, including the effects of phytase on protein bioavailability, and the impact of digestible Ca and P in both swine and poultry. This leading science and research is coupled with real-world pragmatism, including a focus on what industry stakeholders are currently doing to counter dietary phytate, and an overview of the role of nutrition in respect of bone health, meat quality, welfare, and antibiotic free production. As such, the content is relevant for scientists, nutritionists and producers alike.