PROJECT OVERVIEW

Protection and Stimulation of Intestinal Innate Immunity Using Mannose

Dr. Juan Carlos Rodriguez-Lecompte

Department of Animal Science

University of Manitoba

Phone: (204) 474-8056

ARDI Project:

Total Approved:

Date Approved:

Project Status:

#07-817

$46,000

May 25, 2007

In Progress

Chicken’s intestine is the largest border with the external environment and is the most important entry site for microorganisms.  To protect birds against attack of harmful pathogens, a special defense mechanism has been developed throughout the mucosa.  However, chickens are susceptible to various intestinal infections that beat the defense mechanism.  Therefore, for many years veterinarians and nutritionists have been using sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics in feed to control potential bacterial outbreaks.  Although the condition can be controlled with appropriate antibiotics, there are concerns about future antibiotic use.  There is a continued need to develop industry friendly technologies that can be added to feed in place of antibiotics.

In this project we will use mannose, a yeast outer cell wall component, as a feed supplement to control an economically important enteric disease of chickens, Necrotic Enteritis (NE), and stimulate gut defenses. This is a feed supplement that is widely available, cheap, and does not have negative marketing associated with antibiotics.  Additionally mannose improves gut health and influences performance of broilers chickens.

Although vaccination offers an alternative approach to antimicrobial drugs in control of the disease, little is known about immunity to NE.  For the poultry industry to fully benefit from the addition of mannose in the feed, it is important to investigate and demonstrate its efficacy in decreasing the incidence of intestinal diseases such as NE and increasing the immuno-response against natural infections.  This will not only offer significant cost saving opportunity, but specific intestinal immuno-stimulant bio-products are emerging as a promising new approach to control intestinal infections.  These products may also ensure the sustainability of the industry by safeguarding the environment and promoting antibiotic free meat production.

Dr. Bill Guenter, Department of Animal Science, University of Manitoba is a co-applicant of this project and Alltech Biotechnology is providing funding support.

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