Microbial ecology, functional implications, and associated factors influencing poultry intestinal health

Gut health is a dynamic phenomenon regulated by the balanced interaction among gastrointestinal tract morphological structure, resident microbiota, and available nutrients, producing an integrated barrier that ensures efficient physiological functions, enhanced immune competence and optimal productivity. Gut health is recognised as a crucial factor for optimum management, farming economy, and sustainable commercial poultry production. Poultry gut health has become a central focus, particularly following restrictions applied on the use of antimicrobial growth promoters in poultry production due to rising global concerns about microbial resistance. Intestinal integrity and health are being regulated by microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which modulate intestinal morphogenesis vis-à-vis villus size, crypt depth and physiological functions, including feed digestion, nutrients synthesis and absorption, and immune response. Any disturbances arising from nutritional imbalances, microbial infections, environmental stress, or poor management practices compromise epithelial health, barrier integrity, and physiological functions, leading to impaired growth performance and productivity. This review provides an overview of poultry gut health, highlighting the interdependence of gut microbiota, gut morphogenesis, physiology, environmental factors affecting gut health, and management approaches for sustainable poultry production.