Every day, a broiler’s intestine processes several times its body weight in feed and water, encounters billions of microorganisms, responds to environmental stress, and continuously decides what enters the body and what remains outside.

In many ways, the gut functions as a customs checkpoint, security system, digestive factory, and immune headquarters—all at the same time.

In fact, nearly 70% of the bird’s immune cells are associated with the gastrointestinal tract, making it a key player in both health and performance. The remarkable aspect is that when the gut is functioning well, nobody notices it. When it begins to fail, everybody notices the consequences.

The Modern Poultry Bird: Built for Speed
Today’s broiler is a biological marvel. Through decades of genetic selection, modern birds reach market weight faster and more efficiently than ever before.
However, this achievement comes with a hidden challenge.

The digestive tract has become one of the most critical performance-limiting organs in poultry production. Every gram of feed must be digested, absorbed, and converted into muscle within an increasingly compressed production cycle.

Twenty years ago, a small reduction in nutrient absorption might have gone unnoticed. Today, even minor intestinal inefficiencies can translate into measurable losses in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and profitability. Modern birds can no longer afford a lazy gut.

The Gut Is Constantly Making Decisions
Traditionally, we think of the intestine as a nutrient absorption organ.
In reality, the gut is making thousands of biological decisions every second.

– Should nutrients support growth or immunity?
– Should a microorganism be tolerated or eliminated?
– Should energy be invested in production or defense?
– Should the intestinal barrier remain open for absorption or tighten to prevent invasion?

These microscopic decisions ultimately determine flock performance.
In many ways, poultry production is not simply about feeding birds—it is about influencing the decisions being made within the gut.

The Hidden Cost of Inflammation
One of the most important concepts emerging in poultry science is that inflammation carries a nutritional cost.
Whenever the intestine encounters stress from pathogens, mycotoxins, heat, poor litter quality, or microbial imbalance, the immune system becomes activated.
The immune response is essential for survival, but it is expensive.
Energy that could support growth is redirected toward immune activity.
Amino acids that could build muscle are utilized to produce immune proteins and inflammatory mediators.
Vitamins and minerals become involved in tissue repair and antioxidant defense.
The bird continues eating, yet a significant proportion of nutrients may no longer be contributing to production.
This phenomenon is often referred to as the “hidden feed cost” of inflammation.

The Silent Performance Thief
One of the greatest misconceptions in poultry production is that intestinal problems always produce visible symptoms.
– Not necessarily.
– Many flocks show normal feed intake, acceptable mortality, and no obvious disease outbreaks. Yet they consistently fail to achieve target performance.
– A slight reduction in nutrient absorption.
– A minor microbial imbalance.
– A low level of intestinal inflammation.
– A subtle increase in intestinal permeability.
Individually these changes may appear insignificant. Collectively they can result in substantial economic losses. This is why gut health is increasingly viewed not as a disease issue but as a performance issue.

The Microbial Workforce Inside Every Bird
Perhaps the most fascinating discovery in recent years is the realization that birds are never truly alone.
The digestive tract contains trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome.
These microbes help digest feed ingredients, produce beneficial metabolites, support intestinal development, influence immune responses, and compete with harmful bacteria.
Some scientists now describe the microbiome as an additional organ because of its profound influence on bird health.
This raises an interesting question:
Are we feeding the bird, or are we feeding its microbiome?
The answer is both.
The future of poultry nutrition may depend as much on managing microbial populations as on balancing nutrients.

Heat Stress: The Gut’s Greatest Enemy
In many poultry-producing regions, heat stress has become one of the most significant challenges affecting gut health.
High environmental temperatures reduce blood flow to the intestine, increase oxidative stress, and compromise intestinal barrier integrity.
As a result, harmful bacterial toxins can cross the intestinal wall and trigger inflammation.
Often the first casualty of heat stress is not growth—it is gut integrity.
This may explain why heat-stressed flocks frequently show poorer FCR, increased wet litter, reduced nutrient utilization, and greater disease susceptibility.
As global temperatures continue to rise, protecting gut health during periods of heat stress will become increasingly important.

The Gut in the Antibiotic-Free Era
The poultry industry is rapidly transitioning toward antibiotic-free and reduced-antibiotic production systems.
While this shift addresses consumer concerns and regulatory requirements, it has also increased attention on intestinal health.
Without routine antibiotic growth promoters, producers must rely on alternative strategies to maintain gut stability.
Probiotics, prebiotics, β-glucans, mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), organic acids, phytogenic compounds, and postbiotics are increasingly being used to support intestinal resilience and microbial balance.
The focus is shifting from killing pathogens to creating an intestinal environment where beneficial microbes and the host can thrive together.

More Birds or More Protein?
The global poultry industry is not being asked to produce more birds.
It is being asked to produce more protein.
As the world’s population grows and consumers increasingly seek affordable animal protein, poultry production continues to expand. Industry projections estimate the sector will grow at a CAGR of approximately 5–7% over the coming years.

But growth alone is not enough.
Producers are expected to deliver more meat with fewer resources, lower feed costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.
This means that every gram of feed matters more than ever before.
And that brings us back to the gut.
Because the difference between feed consumed and protein produced is ultimately determined by the efficiency of the digestive system.

The Future Begins in the Gut
For decades, poultry production focused on genetics, nutrition, and disease control.
The next frontier may be intestinal resilience.
Future improvements in productivity will likely come from better management of inflammation, enhanced barrier integrity, optimized microbiomes, and improved nutrient efficiency within the gastrointestinal tract.
The question may no longer be:

“How much feed did the bird consume?”

Instead, the more important question may be:
“How much of that feed actually became growth?”
The answer lies within the gut.
Not because it is merely another organ, but because it is the organ that determines how effectively all the others perform.
In an era of narrow margins, rising feed costs, heat stress, and antibiotic-free production, the healthiest gut may ultimately become the most valuable asset in the poultry house.

Launch of Advanced Mycotoxin Management Solutions – Antox Plus & Antox Precise
Nanovet Nutrition Pvt. Ltd., a fast-growing and innovation-driven animal nutrition company in India, proudly announces its strategic collaboration with nu.ance Biotechnology, Switzerland, a global leader in science-backed mycotoxins management solutions. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nanovet’s journey to bring globally validated, high-performance nutritional technologies to the Indian poultry industry.

As part of this collaboration, Nanovet Nutrition has introduced two advanced toxin-management solutions to the Indian market—Antox Plus and Antox Precise.

Antox Plus offers comprehensive protection by targeting Mycotoxins, Endotoxins, and Chemical toxins, addressing the broader spectrum of feed-borne challenges.

Antox Precise is a highly selective solution dedicated exclusively to mycotoxin management, ensuring precise binding without compromising essential nutrients.

Together, these innovations strengthen feed safety, support animal health and performance, and enhance profitability for farmers and integrators.

Successful Multi-City Launch Events Across India
To mark the official launch of Antox Plus and Antox Precise, Nanovet Nutrition successfully conducted a series of launch events across three strategic poultry hubs in North India. These events witnessed enthusiastic participation from poultry farmers, integrators, veterinarians, consultants, distributors, and industry professionals.
Launch Event Details
· 15th December – Karnal
Venue: Vivaan Hotel, Karnal
· 17th December – Pathankot
Venue: Zone by The Park, Pathankot
· 19th December – Lucknow
Venue: Holiday Inn, Lucknow

Each event served as a dedicated knowledge-sharing platform focusing on Mycotoxin, Endotoxin and Chemical toxin risk management, field challenges, and innovative nutritional interventions aligned with Indian feeding practices.

Strong Technical Leadership & Global Expertise
The launch programs were successfully conducted by the Nanovet Nutrition team, led by experienced technical and commercial professionals who shared valuable insights on Toxins prevalence, impact on poultry performance, and the scientific advantages of Antox Plus and Antox Precise.

Nanovet Nutrition Team
· Dr. Deepak Singh – Technical Director
· Dr. Karthiga Kesavan– Product Manager
· Deepak Solanki- Regional Sales Manager-North
· Dr. Anirudh Ahlawat- Technical Service Manager- North
· Dedicated regional sales team members

nu.ance Biotechnology Team
· Dr. David Harrington – Chief Product Officer
· Mr. J. S. Uppal – Business Director, South Asia
Their presence reinforced the strength of the collaboration and highlighted nu.ance’s commitment to supporting Indian poultry producers with proven, research-driven solutions.

Antox Plus & Antox Precise – Science That Delivers Results
Antox Plus and Antox Precise are formulated using advanced adsorption and biotransformation technologies, developed through extensive global research and validated under diverse field conditions.

Key benefits include:
· Broad-spectrum Mycotoxins, Endotoxins and Chemical Toxins binder.
· Improved gut health and nutrient utilization.
· Enhanced flock performance and consistency.
· Reduced economic losses linked to mycotoxins.
These products are specifically adapted to Indian raw material variability, making them reliable solutions for modern poultry challenges.

Strengthening Nanovet’s Commitment to the Indian Poultry Industry
The successful execution of the multi-city launch events reflects Nanovet Nutrition’s strong field connect, technical capability, and commitment to delivering value-driven solutions. The collaboration with nu.ance Biotechnology further strengthens Nanovet’s product portfolio and reinforces its position as a trusted partner for poultry producers across India.

Nanovet Nutrition continues to focus on innovation, quality, and farmer-centric solutions, bridging global science with local expertise to support sustainable and profitable animal production.

Nanovet Nutrition Pvt. Ltd. – Turning Ideas into Innovations.

Nanovet Nutrition Private Limited, a fast-growing, science-driven animal health and nutrition company, announced a strategic collaboration with nu.ance Biotechnology, Switzerland, during Poultry India. This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nanovet’s journey to strengthen its global scientific footprint and deliver advanced, research-backed solutions to the Indian livestock industry.

About Nanovet Nutrition Pvt. Ltd.
Nanovet Nutrition Private Limited is committed to enhancing livestock productivity, animal welfare, and farm profitability through innovative, technology-driven nutritional solutions. The company has established strong expertise in veterinary nutraceuticals, gut health enhancers, feed quality solutions, and biosecurity technologies, addressing the evolving needs of the poultry, ruminant, swine, and companion animal sectors.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Nanovet integrates research, innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric development to deliver measurable performance outcomes for producers. Through continuous investment in science and strategic global collaborations, Nanovet is rapidly emerging as a progressive and reliable partner in animal nutrition and health. Under the visionary leadership of Mr. Sanjeev Khanna, Managing Director, Nanovet Nutrition has witnessed accelerated growth and industry recognition. With deep domain expertise and a strong focus on innovation, Mr. Khanna has steered the company toward adopting advanced technologies, strengthening scientific alliances, and building long-term value for customers and stakeholders. His leadership continues to position Nanovet as a future-ready organization aligned with global best practices.

Strategic Collaboration with nu.ance Biotechnology, Switzerland


As part of its commitment to bringing world-class science to India, Nanovet has entered into a strategic collaboration with nu.ance Biotechnology, a Switzerland-based biotechnology innovator renowned for its advanced nutritional technologies and mycotoxin management solutions.

nu.ance Biotechnology brings strong global credentials, including:
– A state-of-the-art production facility in France
– Commercial presence across 40+ countries
– Specialized expertise in postbiotics, globa.biotics, feed additives, and next-generation nutritional technologies.

This collaboration significantly enhances Nanovet’s technical capabilities and supports the introduction of high-performance, research-validated feed solutions tailored to the needs of Indian and neighboring markets.

Leadership Presence at the Collaboration Event
The collaboration was formally reinforced during a dedicated event at Poultry India, attended by senior leadership from both organizations. The Nanovet delegation was led by:
– Mr. Sanjeev Khanna, Managing Director
– Dr. Deepak Singh, Technical Director
– Mr. Avinash Kharat, National Sales Head
– Along with members of the commercial and technical teams.

nu.ance Biotechnology was represented by:
– Dr. David Harrington, Chief Product Officer
– Mr. J. S. Uppal, Business Director – South Asia.
The presence of senior leadership underscored the shared commitment of both companies toward innovation, knowledge exchange, and long-term market development.

Nanovet × nu.ance: A Future-Focused Partnership
Through this collaboration, Nanovet Nutrition aims to leverage nu.ance Biotechnology’s global expertise in biotechnology, formulation science, and quality systems to further enhance product performance and deliver superior value to customers. Together, both organizations are aligned in their vision to introduce globally benchmarked, sustainable, and performance-oriented innovations for the livestock industry.

This strategic alliance reinforces Nanovet Nutrition’s position as a science-led, globally connected partner, dedicated to shaping the future of animal nutrition in India and beyond.

Innovations and Challenges in Poultry Health: A Conversation with Dr. Marc Cayol

Poultry Creations Magazine is excited to present an exclusive interview with Dr. Marc Cayol, the Global Animal Health Director at Andreas Pintaluba S.A. (APSA). With a Ph.D. in Physiology and over 28 years in animal health, Dr. Cayol began his career at Pfizer Animal Health, which later became Zoetis, where he played a pivotal role in the development and introduction of vaccines for ruminants and swine across various regions.

Since joining APSA in 2016, he has led significant advancements in livestock nutrition and health. In this interview, Marc shares insights from his career, discusses APSA’s efforts to reduce antibiotic use, and highlights their collaboration with Nanovet Nutrition in India.

This exclusive interview features a compelling conversation with one of the leading experts in animal health.

Poultry Creations: Can you tell us about your journey in the animal health industry, from your beginnings at Pfizer Animal Health to your current role at Andrés Pintaluba SA?Dr. Marc: After completing my Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Physiology, I immediately began my career in the animal health industry at Pfizer Animal Health, which later became Zoetis. Over 20 years, I held various roles in commercial, technical, and marketing capacities. I started with the French organization, moved to the US for a year, and then returned to work at the international level. In 2016, I joined Andrés Pintaluba SA, a well-known European company based in Reus, Spain. Andrés Pintaluba SA (APSA) is part of the larger Pintaluba Group. We manufacture and distribute our products worldwide.

Poultry Creations : As the Global Animal Health Director at APSA, what are your main responsibilities and daily activities?
Dr. Marc: Each day brings new challenges. With the production and distribution of products in many countries, we face a variety of tasks daily. Being a company that manufactures its own products makes things easier. However, I am not alone in this; we work as a team. This includes the Manufacturing, Regulatory, and Export Departments, as well as our laboratory. Additionally, we have Area Managers from the Health Division, each managing a specific zone in the world. We also have one Area Manager based in India.

Poultry Creations: What are some of the strategic initiatives you have implemented at APSA to enhance animal health solutions?
Dr. Marc: There are two aspects to this question:
1. From a supply standpoint, with the increasing demand for our products, I have contributed to a strategic decision to increase our production capacity. This has resulted in LEK Veterina, a company based in Slovenia, joining the Pintaluba Group. This represents a significant step forward in increasing production capacity for liquid products, vitamin and mineral premixes, and gaining access to technology for manufacturing nutritional products such as water-soluble powders.

2. From a product standpoint, one of the key initiatives has been the introduction of the ApsaGut solution in many countries. ApsaGut is a range of products based on esterified fatty acids designed to optimize intestinal health.

Poultry Creations: What major trends do you see currently shaping the poultry health industry, particularly in regions like Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East?
Dr. Marc: There are many companies producing products and solutions for animal health and poultry farms, with production taking place in diverse territories. I am observing two trends that often conflict with each other. End users and farmers sometimes look for the cheapest options, but they are also sensitive to quality. Not all products available on the market can claim the same quality standards that we, as a European company, have to follow. The value we bring is that Andrés Pintaluba Group holds certifications such as GMP, ISO, FAMI-QS, etc. Therefore, while the price of our products may not be the cheapest, customers are realizing that we supply high-quality products that benefit their animals and the economic viability of their farms.

Poultry Creations: What are the biggest challenges facing poultry health today and how is APSA addressing these challenges?
Dr. Marc: The biggest challenge that the poultry industry is facing globally is the required reduction in the use of certain products like antibiotics, alongside the consumer demand for healthy food. Antibiotics will never be banned as they are essential for the survival of animals, but prudent use should guide every farm to ensure their availability in the long run. In India, APSA is commercializing feed supplements administered in drinking water and feed. We are also considering registering some treatment products. Additionally, we have developed solutions that can be used preventively to at least reduce, if not replace, the use of antibiotics. ApsaGut is a good example of how APSA is addressing these current challenges. It aims to manage intestinal health while reducing the use of antibiotics in prevention.

Poultry Creations: How you see development in Indian market? What are the initiative you are looking into.
Dr. Marc: I visit India regularly and see a strong demand for innovative and natural solutions. The market is evolving towards more sustainable and efficient practices. We are focusing on developing products that meet these needs, including natural health solutions and partnerships with local organizations to address specific challenges and enhance farm productivity.

Poultry Creations: Could you please elaborate more about collaboration with Nanovet Nutrition in India. What initiative both the companies are going to take to add value to Indian producers.
Dr. Marc: APSA and Nanovet Nutrition are joining forces in India to focus on the key segment of gut health. APSA will supply the products, while Nanovet leverages its extensive network of customers and professionals to promote the benefits of our solutions, such as ApsaGut. Without Nanovet, it would be challenging for us to effectively conduct technical promotion in a country like India. Through Nanovet’s field presence and customer connections, we are confident that our solutions will reach a wide range of producers, delivering significant benefits to their operations.

Poultry Creations: What advancements do you foresee in the next five to ten years in the field of poultry health?
Dr. Marc: In any R&D project, it is challenging to predict which specific projects will successfully translate into products. However, as mentioned before, the field of investigation is definitely moving towards natural and effective solutions.

Poultry Creations: What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to enter the animal health industry?
Dr. Marc: I don’t have direct experience running a farm, but I view it as a vital market segment since we all play a role in feeding the world, and producers have an important role in this chain. Having spent 28 years working in the animal health industry, I can say that it is a field I know and enjoy. It offers the opportunity to interact with people from diverse countries, making it a rewarding career. Being part of this industry means contributing to the food chain and making a significant impact.

Poultry Creations: How do you view the current state of the poultry market in India, and what potential do you see for growth and improvement?
Dr. Marc: I cannot make a definitive judgment on the current state of the poultry market in India. However, as we observe in many markets, the trend is moving towards greater integration of poultry farms. This shift is likely to offer advantages for farmers but will also introduce more constraints, particularly in terms of performance and biosecurity, which they need to be prepared for.

Poultry Creations: What message or suggestions would you like to give to Poultry Creations Magazine to help us improve and better serve our readers in the poultry industry?
Dr. Marc: I discovered Poultry Creations Magazine during a week spent in Haryana and found it very interesting. The magazine offers valuable tips, shared experiences, and technical articles. It provides a good mix of information for readers. Congratulations to the PCM Team for producing such an informative publication.