How nutrition affects immune responses in poultry

摘要

Nutrient recommendations, such as those set by National Research Council (NRC) of the United States, are usually based on the needs of healthy birds under ideal management, and require adjustments for practical production situations. Attention should be given to those nutrients that are associated with the development of the immune system. Evidence suggests that most nutrients are involved in the development of the immune response in poultry. The effectiveness of the immune system is greatly dependent on dietary conditions, being adversely affected by an inadequate supply of either macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) or essential micronutrients such as vitamins, certain minerals, trace elements and essential amino acids. The combinationof environmental and disease stresses increases the requirement for essential nutrients. Nutrient requirements, which have been established under ideal, low stress conditions may not reflect the true requirement for these nutrients under field conditions. Birds in commercial systems are normally exposed to different kinds of stresses that the National Research Council (NRC) of the United States does not account for. Since we obviously grow birds under field conditions, we should consider the nutrient needs for the development of immune response and disease prevention, in addition to the production criteria on which requirement levels have been established. In this article, we will have a look at the role of nutrition on immune system competence and their interrelationship.