06 Feb 2025
Managing Heat Stress and Gut Health: Insights from Perstorp at IPPE 2025
At the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) 2025, NutriNews International had the opportunity to sit down with Antonia Tacconi, Global Portfolio Manager at Perstorp Animal Nutrition. In an insightful discussion with Gustavo Quintana, Antonia shared valuable perspectives on the impact of heat stress on animal gut health and how specific feed additives can play a crucial role in maintaining overall performance and productivity.
The Link Between Heat Stress and Gut Health
Heat stress poses a significant challenge in animal production, leading to physiological and behavioral changes that ultimately affect performance. According to Antonia, one of the most critical consequences of heat stress is its negative impact on gut health, which can result in conditions like leaky gut, making animals more susceptible to infections and productivity losses.
Feed Additives as a Solution
To counteract these effects, Perstorp focuses on innovative solutions targeting gut integrity and resilience. The company has pioneered the use of butyrins and valerins, which serve as energy sources for epithelial cells, promoting gut health and maintaining gut integrity under stress conditions.
Perstorp’s product, GastriVix Avi, has been specifically designed to enhance gut resilience, improving digestion and absorption efficiency in stressed animals. Additionally, the ProPhorce AC 299, a sodium formate-based additive, provides a dual benefit—serving as an effective sodium source while also offering antimicrobial properties, particularly against gram-negative pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
Performance Benefits
As Antonia highlighted, incorporating these feed additives into animal nutrition strategies leads to tangible improvements in performance. In layers, benefits include enhanced laying rates and eggshell quality, while in broilers, gains are seen in feed conversion ratio (FCR), average daily weight gain, and even meat quality.
Looking Ahead
Perstorp is committed to developing innovative molecules and providing regional solutions tailored to specific customer needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. The company encourages customers to reach out and discuss their specific issues so that Perstorp can provide the best solutions for gut health and heat stress challenges.
