National Poultry Newspaper

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The Poultry Hub team thought, given the rise in both public engagement around how we farm and the huge increases in so- cial media, it was time to provide the industry and our researchers an oppor- tunity to tell their story.
Excreta of the individ- ual birds were collected and assessed for specific biomarkers using chick- en-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Ideally, such tests can be completed in less than a day and can indeed help industry to reduce costs associated with enteric diseases.
The key question asked by journalists is: “So, what’s your story?”
I would like to share this story, written by Reza Barekatain, highlighting the great achievements he has made in his recently completed PHA funded project ‘Identifying non- invasive biomarkers of in- testinal permeability and inflammation in broiler chickens’.
In poultry, most cur- rently available methods require bleeding or eu- thanising the animals, which are invasive and not beneficial on farm.
These need to be further validated in larger scale trials including samples from group-housed ani- mals.
Further, if the identified biomarkers are found re- sponsive to certain feed additives, this can facili- tate effective in-feed in- terventions to minimise the impact of gut health issues.”
Participants learnt that they, as the person being asked the question, hold all the power in the relation- ship, and are known in the business as the ‘talent’.
Hence, we identified the need to determine bio- markers with which the intestinal integrity is as- sessed rapidly and in a non-invasive manner.
Once validated and commercial kits made available at an afforda- ble price, the assays could provide a relatively rapid method to detect proteins that are either elevated
The results of this Poul- try Hub project have been recently published and can be found at doi. org/10.1371/journal. pone.0237505
Television channel and newspaper journalists generally want a second voice, so participants were asked to think about who could play the supporting character in their story, and to make sure they were available.
“A healthy gut has al- ways been essential for good well-being.
A Poultry Hub Australia supported project, led by Dr Reza Barekatain at the South Australian Re- search and Development Institute in collaboration with Feedworks and Uni- versity of Adelaide, spe- cifically sought to identify selected proteins in excre- ta of chickens as biomark- ers of intestinal perme- ability and inflammation, as a non-invasive method to assess gut integrity.
Dr Reza Barekatain highlights achievements in his recently completed project ‘Identifying non-invasive biomarkers of intestinal permeability and inflamma- tion in broiler chickens’.
Sarah Brooker from Science in Public hosted Prime7 Canberra News Editor Hannah Scott, Editor of the Weekly Times in Victoria Ed Gannon and News Director for FIVEaa in Adelaide Matthew Pantelis.
Sarah Brooker from Sci- ence in Public moderated the discussion, and subse- quent question and answer session.
Enterocytesareintestinal cells that form a physical barrier to prevent harm- ful bacteria and unwanted materials from entry into the gut, and also allow nu- trient absorption.
Most previous studies have focused primarily on necrotic enteritis models and sampling the intesti- nal contents.
Hosted by Poultry Hub, with the support of Aus- tralian Eggs and AgriFu- tures, the forum provided the opportunity for re- searchers, industry mem- bers and Australian busi- nesses to be introduced to the media.
When there is a ‘dys- functional gut barrier’, there is a chance of bac- terial translocation from the intestine into internal organs, often causing in- testinal inflammation and impaired performance.
In this study, we sub- jected meat chickens to two different ‘leaky gut’ (gut barrier dysfunction) models based on a stress- inducing factor (dexa- methasone as synthetic
Vol 3. No. 11 November 2020 National Poultry Newspaper PO Box 162 Wynnum 4178 Phone (07) 3286 1833 Email ben@collins.media
From media masterclasses to non-invasive biomarkers
THIS month we have facilitated a number of media related events, in- cluding ‘Meet the Me- dia’ and ‘Media Master- classes’.
glucocorticoid) and a nutritional model (a rye- based diet).
or reduced compared with healthy animals.
by TAMSYN CROWLEY Director
Another Poultry Hub Australia initiative has been the healthy gut pro- ject.
try dearly, therefore early detection and interven- tion is critical when nec- essary.
We found proteins, in- cluding fibronectin, al- kaline phosphatase and lipocalin 2, in the excreta were responsive to the in- testinal barrier dysfunc- tion models tested in the study.
Meanwhile, the iden- tification of additional biomarkers of gut health and real-time detection devices remain an active area of research.
These were a few of the tips and pointers that came up in conversation with the three journal- ists who took part in the online ‘Meet the Media’ forum held on Tuesday September 22.
Even 2500 years ago, Hippocrates said: “All disease begins in the gut” – and poultry are no dif- ferent.
Gut integrity sits at the core of gut health re- search to support health and growth in poultry.
This can cost the indus-
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