CD Laboratory for Innovative Gut Health Concepts of Livestock

This CD Laboratory develops interdisciplinary innovative prevention strategies to improve intestinal health in farm animals. Healthy and efficient farm animals are essential for the production of high-quality and safe food.

Intestinal health disorders are the most common disease in livestock, such as cattle and pigs. They affect the general health, well-being and thus the production performance of the animals. Recent epidemiological studies also point to the high correlation between intestinal health disorders and the increased use of antibiotics in livestock. The exorbitantly high use of antibiotics in livestock worldwide is seen as a major threat to human health, as it is considered one of the main causes of increased antibiotic resistance.

The main scientific objective of this CD Laboratory is therefore to systematically build up relevant knowledge and develop options that lead to a sustainable improvement of intestinal health in farm animals. To achieve this fundamental goal, a multi-stage research approach based on complementary in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo intestinal models has been designed to close knowledge gaps in the field of intestinal health. To this end, systematic studies will be carried out to acquire in-depth knowledge of the homeostatic regulatory mechanisms in the intestines of modern cattle and pig breeds and to investigate the development of intestinal dysbiosis, i.e. a qualitative or quantitative imbalance of the intestinal microbiota. This includes the investigation of the functionality of the gut microbiome, its dynamics, as well as the interactions between the gut microbiome and the host animal on a molecular level, i.e. gut barrier function, metabolism and immune system.

New nutritional concepts are then developed and trialled that target the natural metabolic regulation within the intestinal microbiome. These nutritional concepts should either prevent intestinal dysbiosis or help to restore intestinal homeostasis as quickly as possible before intestinal function is impaired or the general health of the animal is negatively affected. To establish a fundamental understanding of the molecular basis for the development of intestinal dysbiosis, novel ""-Omics"" approaches will be used. This will enable the development of more efficient early diagnostic markers that can quickly, accurately and economically differentiate between suboptimal and optimal health.

With the help of this improved knowledge, a new and comprehensible intestinal health concept for cattle and pigs is being developed, which serves to discover new intervention approaches. These points are the basis for the development of knowledge-based, innovative and prophylactic health strategies, such as natural feed supplements and rational feeding strategies. The latter are designed within the framework of the new way of thinking, according to which the diet not only serves to meet the needs of essential nutrients, but also sustainably promotes intestinal health and thus the general health and performance of modern high-yielding cattle and pigs.