THE INFLUENCES OF DIETARY INPUTS ON THE NEONATAL GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT - MANAGING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPLEX ECOSYSTEM

The gastrointestinal tract can be considered as a small, but complex, ecosystem that includes abiotic (physical and chemical characteristics ) and biotic (resident microbiota) components. Many of the ecological principles known for river systems are shared by the GIT and are usefu l for understanding the influences of dietary inputs. Although each sp ecies has a genetically programmed sequence of postnatal changes in GI T structure, functions, and the resident microbiota, the patterns can be manipulated by dietary inputs. Important questions remain to be ans wered before dietary inputs can be effectively used to ''manage'' post natal development of the GIT and thereby optimize health and developme nt of animals.