Synbiotics in Animal Health and Production

This chapter describes the current knowledge on the effects of synbiotics on the health and performance of farm and companion animals. The mechanism of action, beneficial effects, and demonstrated study results proving the efficacy of synbiotics in poultry, cattle, pigs, and companion animals are presented. Synbiotics are now being considered important tools to help maintaining animals in good health and improving growth performance. The majority of studies dealing with synbiotics have been conducted in poultry, but increasing research has been focused on other animal species. The administration of synbiotics in animals is favorable for the beneficial intestinal microbiota which play several and significant roles including production of various nutrients for their host, prevention of infections caused by intestinal pathogens, and modulation of immunological response. Thus, modification of the microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract in order to attain, restore, and maintain positive balance in the ecosystem and activity of the intestinal microbiota is essential for the improvement of health and performance of animals. Synbiotics comprising of both most appropriate probiotic microorganisms and synergistic prebiotics may be still more effective and beneficial for animal health and production.