Avian Gut Microbiology
The Avian Microbiology Network (AviMicroNet) is a communication network of researchers designed to encourage the investigation of the impact of gut microflora on the nutrition, feed conversion, pathogen carriage, and health of poultry in an antimicrobial-free environment. This effort has been put forth in response to growing pressures to reduce, or possibly eliminate, antimicrobial drugs from animal feeds.

The CPRC disseminated a Request for Applications (RFA) in 2003 for support of research projects concerning the following themes:

1. The microbial ecology of Clostridium perfringens on Canadian poultry farms and comparative virulence of strains with regard to the production of acute and subacute necrotic enteritis.

2. The impact of bacterial metabolism in the small bowel of poultry on the feed conversion and growth rate of the avian host, with particular regard to the effect of antimicrobial drugs on the activities of resident gut microbes. Such a study might include additionally an analysis of the phylogeny of the microbial community of the gut in the absence or presence of antimicrobial drug administration.

3. The development of a strategy by which Canadian agricultural or horticultural products could be used in poultry feeds in order to manipulate the composition and/or metabolism of the gut microflora in relation to feed conversion and growth rate of poultry in the absence of anitmicrobial drug administration.

4. Evaluation of commercial probiotics, in particular competitive exclusion products, in the suppression or elimination of bacterial species from the avian gut that are potentially pathogenic to humans, or detrimental to avian health. The development of novel intervention measures could be included in this RFA.

Four main projects with support from CPRC are underway as a result of the 2003 call. In April 2007, the CPRC made a Call for Letters of Intent intended to attract research proposals that build on work already underway under the AviMicroNet and to perhaps expand the scope of this research towards novel alternatives to antimicrobials.

Applications submitted in response to a subsequent Call for Letters of Intent are currently under review.

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