Is a holistic approach to the treatment of enteropathy justified in poultry?

The aim of this article was to examine the rationale behind a holistic approach to the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in poultry. The avian digestive tract is functionally integrated with other bodily systems. This complex system is responsible for food digestion, nutrient absorption, and excretion of undigested waste products. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in overall health and well-being, and dysfunctions affecting any part of the gastrointestinal tract can have serious consequences. In view of the anatomical structure of the avian digestive tract and the specificity of nutrient uptake, absorption, digestion, and metabolism, including physiological mechanisms that regulate these processes, a holistic approach is needed to restore homeostasis not only in the gastrointestinal system, but also in the entire organism. The stability of gastric pH and the gut microbiota play a key role in the physiology of the avian gastrointestinal tract. The gut microbiome is composed of diverse microbial communities that exert a critical influence on the development of the digestive system, its biological and immune functions, and various aspects of animal welfare not limited to nutrient digestion and absorption. The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication network between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system that regulates various physiological processes, including immune and behavioral functions. The gut microbiota also affects the activity of the gut-brain axis through neurotransmitters, metabolites, and signaling molecules. Dysfunctions of the gut-brain axis are directly implicated in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal and neurological disorders in poultry, and they affect the behavior, stress responses, and overall health status of birds. The complex functional interactions between the digestive tract and other bodily systems and organs, including the gut-brain axis, suggest that the treatment of enteropathy in poultry requires a holistic approach.