Summary
This narrative review examines the scientific evidence for probiotics — particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains — as viable replacements for antimicrobial growth promoters in livestock systems, amid growing global concern over antimicrobial resistance. The paper synthesises the proposed mechanisms of action, including competitive exclusion of pathogens, production of antimicrobial compounds, gut barrier reinforcement, and beneficial modulation of the intestinal microbiome. It situates probiotics within a broader framework of sustainable livestock production, arguing that their adoption could meaningfully reduce reliance on antibiotics without compromising animal productivity or welfare.
UK applicability
The findings are broadly applicable to UK livestock production, where the use of antimicrobial growth promoters has been banned since 2006 and where reducing overall antibiotic use in agriculture remains a national policy priority under the UK's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance. Probiotic-based strategies reviewed here align with current UK regulatory and farming practice trajectories, though context-specific field validation in UK breeds and husbandry systems would strengthen direct applicability.
Key measures
Antimicrobial resistance prevalence; pathogen inhibition rates; gut microbiome composition; animal growth performance indicators; immune response markers
Outcomes reported
The review reports on the mechanisms by which probiotics promote animal growth and health, including gut microbiome modulation, pathogen suppression, and immune enhancement, as alternatives to antimicrobial growth promoters. It also examines evidence for the efficacy of specific probiotic genera in reducing antimicrobial resistance risks in livestock production.
Topic tags
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