Determination of health-related biomarkers in livestock

Stresshormones, serotonin, oxidative stress markers, gut integrity markers, and eicosanoids, can be used as biomarkers of health and homeostasis of animals. Feed on the other hand, plays an important role on health. In this context, it is important to determine amino acids and carbohydrates (monosaccharides, degree of polymerizationof oligosaccharides) in samples from in vitro and in vivo models. The gut microbiota consumes unabsorbed components and produces metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolites etc. In the framework of gut health, it is primordial to quantify these metabolites to extend our knowledge on the interaction between the host and his microbiota. This project aims to buy an HPLC to analyze these biomarkers in the framework of the ongoing projects of prof. Everaert, Paeshuyse, Buys and Buyse (Division Animal and Human Health Engineering).

Keywords:short chain fatty acids, tryptophan metabolism, biomarkers, gut metabolites, steroid hormones

Disciplines:Analytical biochemistry, Agricultural animal welfare, Agricultural animal nutrition