ABSTRACT

1. This review describes different classes of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of avian species, and their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. The potential benefits of synthetic AMP in poultry production are examined, in the context of the use of AMP as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP).

2. Since the mid-1950s, antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) have been used in feed at low prophylactic doses to modulate the homoeostasis of intestinal microbiota, decreasing the risk of intestinal dysbacteriosis and the growth of pathogens within the avian gut. Over the last three decades, AGP have faced major regulatory restrictions due to concerns of generating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It is now well documented that the rate of infectious disease outbreaks is higher in flocks that are not fed prophylactic antibiotics, resulting in a compensatory increase in antimicrobial use for therapeutic purposes.

3. Endogenous natural AMP production is associated with the presence of microbiota and their interaction with the intestinal epithelial and lamina propria lymphoid cells. Their antimicrobial activity shapes the beneficial microbiota population and controls intestinal pathogens such Clostridium and Salmonella spp., and stimulates the development and maturation of the local immune system.

4. Similar to AGP, AMP can establish a well-balanced gut beneficial microbiota for adequate immune-competence, animal health and high growth performance parameters such as feed intake, daily weight, feed conversion and accumulated mortality.

5. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides constitute an essential part of the innate immune system of all organisms and protect the host from invading pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites by interacting with the negatively charged pathogen membranes.

摘要

1. This review describes different classes of antimicrobial peptides (AMP) found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of avian species, and their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. The potential benefits of synthetic AMP in poultry production are examined, in the context of the use of AMP as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters (AGP).

2. 自 1950 年代中期以来，已在饲料中以低预防剂量使用抗生素生长促进剂 (AGP)，以调节肠道微生物群的稳态，降低肠道菌群失调的风险和禽类肠道内病原体的生长。在过去的三年中，由于担心产生抗菌素耐药性 (AMR)，AGP 面临着重大的监管限制。现在有充分的证据表明，在未饲喂预防性抗生素的鸡群中，传染病暴发率较高，导致用于治疗目的的抗生素使用补偿性增加。

3. 内源性天然 AMP 的产生与微生物群的存在及其与肠上皮和固有层淋巴细胞的相互作用有关。它们的抗菌活性塑造了有益的微生物群，控制了梭状芽孢杆菌和沙门氏菌等肠道病原体，并刺激了局部免疫系统的发育和成熟。

4. 与 AGP 类似，AMP 可以建立平衡良好的肠道有益微生物群，以获得足够的免疫能力、动物健康和高生长性能参数，如采食量、日重、饲料转化率和累积死亡率。

5. 抗菌蛋白和肽是所有生物体先天免疫系统的重要组成部分，通过与带负电荷的病原体膜相互作用，保护宿主免受病原细菌、病毒、真菌和寄生虫的侵害。