VPB 321: Animal Biotechnology (2+1)

DNA TECHNOLOGIES IN NUTRITIONAL PHYSIOLOGY

• Applications are being developed for improving the performance of animals through better nutrition.
• Enzymes can improve the nutrient availability from feedstuffs, lower feed costs and reduce output of waste into the environment.
• Prebiotics and probiotics or immune supplements can inhibit pathogenic gut microorganisms or make the animal more resistant to them.
• Administration of recombinant somatotropin (ST) results in accelerated growth and leaner carcasses in meat animals and increased milk production in dairy cows.
• Immunomodulation can be used for enhancing the activity of endogenous anabolic hormones.
• In poultry nutrition, possibilities include the use of feed enzymes, probiotics, single cell protein, and antibiotic feed additives.
• The production of tailor-made plant products for use as feeds and free from antinutritional factors through recombinant DNA technology is also a possibility.
• Plant biotechnology may produce forages with improved nutritional value or incorporate vaccines or antibodies into feeds that may protect the animals against diseases.