ZINC-METABOLISM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS ROLE IN IMMUNITY

A major goal of many poultry producers is to attain good flock liveabi lity Historically, most poultry producers have manipulated environment al conditions and management to maximize bird health. In the past two decades there has been much research into nutritional regimes that imp rove bird health through immunomodulation. Commercial poultry environm ents contain ubiquitous micro-organisms that continuously challenge th e immune system. Nutritional supplements that enhance immune system fu nction may improve flock performance and be economically advantageous. This paper reviews the literature on zinc-methionine and the avian ce llular immune system. Current knowledge of the effects of zinc on many animal models is reviewed and a hypothetical mechanism for the action of zinc-methionine on this system is discussed.