Growth promotants in feeding pigs and poultry. II. mode of action of antibiotic growth promotants

摘要

The mode of action of antibiotic growth promoters in pigs and poultry production has been the subject of a great number of scientific investigations. This contribution reviews non-systemic and systemic effects. An important feature of this type of growth promoters is their regulating effects on the potentially harmful gut flora, thereby limiting gastro-intestinal infections. Animal performance may be reduced as the immune system is stimulated by, e.g., gastro-intestinal infections or inflammations. As a consequence, the cytokines may be produced by the organism affecting central nervous and/or the classical endocrine system or specific messenger cytokines may be released. Cytokines may also stimulate the release of catabolic hormones reducing body muscle mass. With respect to the systemic effects, it is tempting to assume that antibiotic growth promoters will alleviate challenges to the immune system through their gut flora regulating effects.