Intro
Preface
Definitions
References
Contents
About the Editors
Part I: The Gastrointestinal Tract of Food Animals and Impact of Feed Additives
Chapter 1: Commensal Gastrointestinal Microbiota as a Complex Interactive Consortia
1.1 Introduction
1.2 The Diversity of Microbial Communities in the Gastrointestinal Tract
1.3 Temporal Colonization of the Intestinal Tract
1.3.1 Postnatal Programming
1.4 Upsetting the Balance: The Effect of Stressors on the Intestinal Microbiota
1.5 Upsetting the Balance: Lactic Acidosis and Rumen Microbiota

1.6 Upsetting the Balance: Feed Withdrawal and Intestinal Microbiota
1.7 Development of Intestinal Microbiota in the Early Life of the Host
1.8 Conclusions
References
Chapter 2: The Poultry Gastrointestinal Tract: An Overview of Microbial Ecology
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Poultry Gastrointestinal Tract: Anatomy and Physiology
2.3 Poultry Gastrointestinal Microbiota
2.4 Bacterial Ecology in the Poultry Gastrointestinal Tract
2.5 Conclusions and Future Directions
References

Chapter 3: Current Understanding of the Crosstalk Between Direct-Fed Microbials and Indigenous Microbiome in the Gastrointestinal Tract: Applications and Challenges in Food-Producing Animals
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Recent Advances in Researching the GIT Microbiome of Food-Producing Animals
3.2.1 Core Microbiota
3.2.1.1 Taxonomic Core Microbiota in the GIT of Food-Producing Animals
3.2.1.2 Functional Core Microbiota in the GIT of Food-Producing Animals
3.2.2 Mucosa-Associated Versus Digesta-Associated Microbiomes

3.3 Challenges for the Application of DFMs in Food-Producing Animals
3.3.1 Lack of In-Depth Understanding of the GIT Microbiome
3.3.2 Lack of Understanding of the Interaction Between DFMs and the GIT Microbiome
3.3.3 Individualized Microbiomes Pose Challenges for Application of DFMs
3.4 Future Directions for Effective Use of DFMs in Food-Producing Animals
3.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Advancements in Poultry Nutrition and Genetics, the Role of Antibiotic Growth Promoters, and the Introduction of Feed Additive Alternatives
4.1 Introduction

4.2 Broiler Performance and Genetics
4.3 Nutritional Advancements in the Poultry Industry
4.4 Feed Additives
4.5 Antibiotic Growth Promoters
4.6 Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promotors
4.7 Conclusions and Future Directions
References
Chapter 5: Prebiotics with Plant and Microbial Origins
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Nondigestible Oligosaccharides and Fermentation
5.3 Health Benefits and Industrial Use of Prebiotics
5.4 Methods of Manufacture
5.5 Established Prebiotics
5.5.1 Fructans
5.5.2 Galactooligosaccharides
5.5.3 Lactulose
5.6 Candidate Prebiotics