1. What is the microflora? Where is it located in the digestive system? What is its composition? What is the role of the microflora in feed digestion?
2. What are the factors that upset the microflora and induce changes in the gut flora?
3. What is the basic concept of probiotics and how do they work?
4. What are the minimum administration requirements for a probiotic?
5. What makes a good probiotic?
6. What exactly is Protexin?
7. When is the right time to use Protexin?
8. Are there any risks or disadvantages of using Protexin? Can you give too much?
9. Can Protexin be used to prevent disease?
10. Why do probiotic trials sometimes show variable results?
11. Is Protexin compatible with in-feed antibiotics, growth promoters or coccidiostats?
12. Is Protexin compatible with chlorine, water sanitisers and any other in-feed components?
13. Does Protexin require any special storage methods?
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What are the minimum administration requirements for a probiotic?
To produce the desirable effect a minimum concentration of microorganisms must be able to survive ingestion and grow in the intestine. However, the minimum effective requirement of live bacteria cannot be easily identified. It has been suggested that once the concentration of a particular microorganism fell to 107 per g of faeces, it does not play a role in the ecosystem provided that it remains below this level at all times. This is supported by observations that the host animal can tolerate populations less than 107 clostridia or enterobacteria per gram of intestinal contents. It is therefore postulated that a probiotic will be effective if it provides at least 107 CFU and hence these levels have been adopted as a minimum requirement. |
