Nutrition and Digestive Health

Groundbreaking techniques

Gut health is a complex interaction between the intestinal microflora and an animal. We are pioneering new research techniques that are elevating our understanding of the relationships among diet, the microflora, intestinal tract integrity and an animal’s immune system. For instance, we are using advanced molecular biology techniques to rapidly measure the microflora in the intestinal tract to identify microbes that have both positive and negative effects on animal performance. In addition, we use advanced genomics techniques to pinpoint genes in an animal that are directly influenced by those microbes and that ultimately affect outcomes such as weight gain and feed conversion.

Our advanced cell culture and in vitro models cut down on cycle time, helping us to identify solutions more quickly. These techniques assist us in understanding how we can promote that desired state in the absence of antibiotics, for instance. Recently, cell culture research enabled us to identify specific additives that could help combat Early Mortality Syndrome in shrimp. With this information, we developed the SmartShield™ program at a critical moment for the global shrimp industry.

We continue to dig deeper into a host of factors associated with digestive health. Our research has helped us unlock greater understanding of how the microflora, animal immunity, and gut integrity all interact with dietary elements such as anti-nutritional factors, mycotoxin stress and antioxidants. We take that know-how and put it to work in our products, with the continuous goal of helping you achieve better nutrition for your animals.