1. What is the microflora?
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. What animals can benefit from Protexin?
9. Are there any risks or disadvantages of using Protexin? Can you give too much?
10. Can Protexin be used at the same time as an antibiotic?
11. Does Protexin require any special storage methods?
12. Why can’t live yoghurt be used?
13. Does Protexin survive the very acidic conditions of the stomach?
14. Can Protexin be given over a long period of time?
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What is the microflora?
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?
The microflora
All animals are born with a relatively sterile gut. Thus the newly born animal will be more easily colonised by pathogenic microorganisms as there is no protective microflora to reduce the colonisation of pathogens at this stage of life.
Soon after birth the newly born animal acquires a complex collection of microorganisms which populate its intestinal tract. This collection of microorganisms is termed as the microflora. The gut microflora contains a variety of different bacteria and fungi of which there are typically ~400 different types of microorganisms with a total population of ~ 10^14 throughout the length of the intestinal tract.
Location in the digestive system
This complex collection of gut microorganisms is distributed throughout the whole length of the gut. Within particular regions the organisms may be found in three niches:
- associated with gut wall. This can either take the form of direct attachment to the epithelium as in the case with lactobacilli in the crop, or entrapment in the mucous layer of the epithelium as happens in the caecum.
- attachment to food particles
- suspension in the liquid phase of the gut contents.
Composition
The composition of the flora varies in different regions of the intestine and is dependent on factors such as pH. The crop and small intestine tend to be dominated by lactobacilli with smaller numbers of other facultative anaerobes such as coliforms and streptococci. The posterior regions of the gut have large numbers of obligate (able to exist under only one set of environmental conditions) anaerobic bacteria. The caecum in particular, is favourable for the growth of anaerobes such as clostridia and bacteroides.
Role of gut flora in digestion
The microflora forms a symbiotic relationship with the host and benefits the host by aiding digestion by:
Producing various enzymes which are involved in the digestion/breakdown of large feed particles/polysaccharides such as cellulose.
The bacteria in the gut can also stimulate an immune response. For example, germfree animals have lower levels of gamma-globulin than do conventional animals with a complete gut flora. |
