Team Alimetrics will be attending the 9th International Conference on Poultry Intestinal Health (ICPIH) in Istanbul with our largest team to date – and with a booth. We’re looking forward to conversations that go beyond presentations – and turn science into practical solutions for feed additive development.
We will also contribute to the scientific program and present on Thursday 23 April 2026 two studies addressing intestinal permeability and microbiota dynamics:
• Oral Presentation by Ali Kiani, PhD, 11:45: “Assessing intestinal permeability in broilers using a necrotic enteritis model and sugar markers”→ A quantitative approach to measuring gut barrier function under challenge conditions, with a focus on detecting subclinical changes that are often missed by performance data.
• Poster Presentation by German Jurgens, PhD: “Effect of TiO₂ as a dietary marker on fermentation and microbiota in broilers: insights from whole genome sequencing”→ Exploring how a commonly used “inert” marker may influence fermentation patterns and microbial composition – and what that means for interpreting digestibility studies.
ASSESSING INTESTINAL BARRIER INTEGRITY IN BROILERS USING A SUGAR PERMEABILITY ASSAY
Gut barrier integrity is a key indicator of intestinal health in broilers. However, it has been challenging to measure this parameter with objective tools. The Alimetrics R&D team has developed a sugar permeability assay that enables quantification of gut leakiness in broilers.
By measuring the absorption of sugars with different molecular sizes, the assay provides a quantitative indicator of epithelial permeability and tight junction function.
HIGHLIGHTS
• The lactulose–rhamnose–xylose (LRX) permeability is a sensitive biomarker to assess gut barrier integrity in broiler studies
• Detects subclinical intestinal damage during enteric challenge
WHY THIS METHOD MATTERS
The LRX assay enables to:
• Evaluate nutritional strategies targeting intestinal barrier function
• Assess gut health during enteric disease challenges
• Detect subclinical intestinal damage not captured by performance metrics
• Support development of next-generation gut health solutions
CASE STUDY
A controlled broiler study was conducted to evaluate intestinal barrier integrity during a necrotic enteritis challenge and to assess the potential effects of a gut health additive.
KEY FINDINGS
The necrotic enteritis challenge significantly increased intestinal permeability in challenged control birds compared with unchallenged birds, confirming that the sequential Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens challenge disrupted intestinal barrier function.
Supplementation with the ionophore coccidiostat Monteban partially restored barrier integrity, reducing both L/R and L/X ratios. However, permeability indices remained higher than those observed in unchallenged birds, indicating that intestinal barrier disruption persisted despite antimicrobial intervention.
Birds receiving the butyrin–valerin additive showed numerical reductions in intestinal permeability markers compared with the challenged control, although these differences were not statistically significant. Lower L/R and L/X ratios were observed at the 800 mg/L and 1600 mg/L inclusion levels relative to the 400 mg/L treatment.
TIO₂ AS A RESEARCH TOOL FOR GUT FERMENTATION AND MICROBIOTA STUDIES IN BROILERS
This study demonstrates that titanium dioxide (TiO₂) – commonly used as an “inert” digestibility marker – is not biologically neutral. Using a combination of ex vivo and in vivo approaches, the research shows that TiO₂ modulates intestinal fermentation and microbiota composition, especially in the caecum.
HIGHLIGHTS
✓ Segment specific fermentation effects
• Ileum: TiO₂ reduces gas production and acetic acid formation, indicating suppressed fermentation activity.
• Caecum: TiO₂ increases total gas, enhances eubacterial counts, and elevates branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) – markers of intensified proteolytic fermentation.
✓ Significant shifts in microbiota composition
• Caecal samples show increased alpha diversity and selective enrichment of bacterial species such as Thomasclavelia merdavium, Massilicoli timonensis, Blautia merdavium, Rubneribacter badeniensis and Mediterraneibacter caccavium.
✓ No negative impact on growth performance
• TiO₂ did not adversely affect body weight, feed intake, mortality corrected FCR, or organ development.
✓ Consistent patterns across ex vivo and in vivo models
• Both models show similar fermentation and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFA) trends, confirming robustness of the findings.
WHY THIS METHOD MATTERS
✓ Provides a more realistic view of nutrient digestion dynamics
• Traditional ex vivo models ignore adaptation of microbiota to dietary inputs. This study integrates microbiota already adapted to TiO₂, resulting in responses that reflect true physiological conditions.
✓ Reveals hidden effects of commonly used markers
• TiO₂ is widely used in nutrition studies under the assumption of inertness. This research shows that it can subtly shift microbiota and fermentation – an insight essential for accurate interpretation of digestibility trials.
✓ Reduces research risk and enhances data reliability
By understanding marker-induced microbial shifts, feed companies and researchers can:
• avoid misinterpretation of digestibility or short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) data
• select more appropriate markers for future trials
• improve formulation decisions with more reliable biological measurements
✓ Scientific credibility for innovation-driven companies
• The combined ex vivo + in vivo design strengthens confidence in the findings and supports evidence-based product development.
