Department of Animal and Range Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana 59717-2900; email:
Annu Rev Anim Biosci. 2014 Feb;2:469-86. doi: 10.1146/annurev-animal-022513-114149. Epub 2013 Oct 16.
The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiomes of production animals are now firmly established as a key feature underscoring animal health, development, and productivity. In particular, early gut colonization is critically important to the morphological and immunological development of the GIT, development of a functional fermentative environment, and neonatal resistance to pathogenic challenge. Although perturbations of an animal's GIT microbiome at any age can have profound consequences, perturbations during early GIT development can be particularly severe and result in significant and long-lasting sequelae. As the GIT microbiome matures, it exhibits significant diversity, ostensibly an important indicator of ecosystem health. Recognition of the immense importance of the GIT microbiota to the host has led to the development of probiotic and prebiotic feedstuffs with the express aim of ensuring animal health. We herein review the current collective understanding of the GIT microbiota of production animals.
生产动物的胃肠道（GIT）微生物组现在被牢固确立为强调动物健康、发育和生产力的关键特征。特别是，早期肠道定植对于 GIT 的形态和免疫学发育、功能性发酵环境的发展以及新生动物对致病性挑战的抵抗力至关重要。尽管在任何年龄干扰动物的 GIT 微生物组都可能产生深远的影响，但在早期 GIT 发育期间的干扰可能特别严重，并导致重大且持久的后果。随着 GIT 微生物组的成熟，它表现出显著的多样性，显然是生态系统健康的重要指标。人们认识到 GIT 微生物群对宿主的巨大重要性，导致了益生菌和益生元饲料的开发，其明确目的是确保动物健康。本文综述了生产动物的 GIT 微生物组的当前综合认识。
