genetic changes but also a raft of governmental policies
that have focused attention on the environment (phosphorus
and nitrogen excretion), consumer pressure on
the use of antibiotics, and renewable biofuels with its
consequent effects on ingredient costs. Intestinal morphology
has become a common research tool for assessing
nutritional effects on the intestine but it is only one
metric among many that can be used and histological
results can often be interpreted in a variety of ways.
This study will address the broader body of research
on intestinal growth and development in commercial
poultry and will attempt to integrate the topics of the
intestinal: microbial interface and the role of the intestine
as an immune tissue under the broad umbrella of
intestinal physiology.