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Open research questions in Animal Nutrition and Physiology

242 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,096 Animal Nutrition and Physiology papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The study faced challenges in terms of the high cost of corn and limited feed resources. The study had to overcome issues associated with the use of dry corn, such as dust loss during grinding and processing, and mold contamination during storage. The study had to identify the optimal replacement proportion of high-moisture corn that simultaneously improves meat quality and delivers economic benefits for broiler production.

    Effects of feeding high-moisture corn on performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota of Jinling Yellow chickens · 2026 · DOI

  • The study only used male Jinling Yellow chickens, - The study had a limited sample size of 216 chickens, - The study only evaluated the effects of HMC on growth performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota

    Effects of feeding high-moisture corn on performance, meat quality, and cecal microbiota of Jinling Yellow chickens · 2026 · DOI

  • investigation of biological mechanisms and factors affecting the variability of responses across studies, - evaluation of optimal particle characteristics, dosage, long-term safety, tissue accumulation, and regulatory acceptance, - research on the use of nano zinc as an alternative to antibiotics

    Nano zinc supplementation in broiler nutrition: current evidence, mechanisms of action, and future perspectives · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of direct evidence supporting nano zinc as an alternative to antibiotics under commercial production conditions. Important knowledge gaps remain regarding optimal particle characteristics, dosage, long-term safety, tissue accumulation, and regulatory acceptance of nano zinc supplementation.

    Nano zinc supplementation in broiler nutrition: current evidence, mechanisms of action, and future perspectives · 2026 · DOI

  • The effects of PCA supplementation on late-laying hens are unclear. There is a need to investigate the potential benefits of PCA supplementation on antioxidant capacity and intestinal health. The current study aims to address this gap by analyzing the effects of PCA supplementation on late-laying hens.

    Dietary supplementation of protocatechuic acid improves antioxidant capacity and intestinal health in late-laying hens · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research on the use of phytogenic additives in broiler production, particularly during the preslaughter period. The effects of these additives on broiler stress and carcass quality are not well understood. This study aims to address this gap by evaluating the effects of a Passiflora-Stevia phytogenic additive on broilers.

    Effects of Pre-Slaughter Dietary Supplementation with a Phytogenic Additive Containing Passiflora incarnata and Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni Extracts on Oxidative Status, Inflammatory Responses, Carcass Quality, Meat Composition, and Bone Morphology in Broilers · 2026 · DOI

  • The need for alternative feed additives to antibiotics in poultry production. The challenge of finding a feed additive that can improve growth performance and enhance immune function without disrupting the delicate balance of the intestinal microbiota. The need for a feed additive that is stable and effective in varying environmental conditions.

    Dietary addition of compound organic acids improves the growth performance, carcass trait, and body health of broilers · 2025 · DOI

  • Investigating the long-term effects of organic acidifiers on broiler health and performance, - Comparing the effects of different types of organic acidifiers, - Examining the potential benefits of using organic acidifiers in combination with other feed additives

    Dietary addition of compound organic acids improves the growth performance, carcass trait, and body health of broilers · 2025 · DOI

  • However, whether dietary supplementation with PCA can alleviate these adverse effects in late-laying hens remains unclear.

    Dietary supplementation of protocatechuic acid improves antioxidant capacity and intestinal health in late-laying hens · 2026 · DOI

  • However, further studies on nutrient digestibility, egg-laying performance and economic evaluation of the diets would help to clarify their potential for use on a larger scale.

    Effects of the Partial Replacement of Soya Meal and Wheat Bran with Cashew Nut Cake and Cashew Apple Bagasse on the Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency of Meat Quails (Coturnix japonica, Temminck & Schlegel, 1849) · 2026 · DOI

  • Broiler chickens are continuously exposed to microorganisms in the production environment, but the relationship between microorganisms on bird-contact surfaces and fecal microbiota remains unclear.

    Feeder- and Drinker-Associated Microbiota Differ from Host-Associated Fecal Microbiota During a Commercial Broiler Production Cycle with Age-Associated Changes in Taxonomic Composition · 2026 · DOI

  • However, the modulation pathway of gut microbiota by regulating the intestinal barrier and histomorphology remains unknown.

    Effects of high stocking density on the growth performance, intestinal health and bile salts composition of broiler chickens · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on assessing the long-term impacts, economic viability, and environmental sustainability of fermented feed in commercial poultry systems.

    Effect of Fermented Feed on Growth Performance and Gut Health of Broilers: A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • Plant protein feeds are a core component of protein feeds for ruminants; however, the utilisation of both conventional and non-conventional plant protein feeds is limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs).

    Anti-Nutritional Factors of Plant Protein Feeds for Ruminants and Methods for Their Elimination · 2025 · DOI

  • Feed fermentation enhances feed nutrition and animal health, but its impact on the gut microbiota of young pigs remains unclear.

    Effects of Fermented Liquid Feed with Compound Probiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, and Fecal Microbiota of Growing Pigs · 2025 · DOI

  • Geese, the third-most productive poultry species, have not been studied extensively.

    Effects of Free-Range Systems on Muscle Fiber Characteristics and Welfare Indicators in Geese · 2025 · DOI

  • In the future, not only long-term selected layer strains will be required, but also many kinds of indigenous chicken breeds, which have already adapted to each local environment in the world, should be investigated under the continental levels of climate environment using different fermented feed materials.

    Assessing the Genetic and Environmental Factors on Egg Amino Acid Traits in Chickens: A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • However, the exact role of it in regulating intestinal health under oxidative stress is not fully understood.

    Chlorogenic Acid Enhances the Intestinal Health of Weaned Piglets by Inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB Pathway and Activating the Nrf2 Pathway · 2024 · DOI

  • However, this enzymatic effect is often limited by the internal and external gut environment.

    Enzymatically hydrolyzed diet improves growth performance and intestinal microbiome in growing pigs · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the effects of different sources of dietary fiber on the performance of weaned piglets are inconsistent, and the mechanisms through which they affect intestinal health need to be explored.

    Dietary Fiber-Derived Butyrate Alleviates Piglet Weaning Stress by Modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway · 2024 · DOI

  • Although enzymes have been shown to save energy and nutrients, their responses under sanitary challenging conditions are poorly documented.

    Carbohydrases and Phytase in Poultry and Pig Nutrition: A Review beyond the Nutrients and Energy Matrix · 2024 · DOI

  • A prior investigation revealed that a lack of Zinc (Zn) could hinder intestinal cell proliferation in broiler chickens; however, the mechanisms responsible for this effect remain unclear.

    Dietary Zn Deficiency Inhibits Cell Proliferation via the GPR39-Mediated Suppression of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in the Jejunum of Broilers · 2024 · DOI

  • butyricum probiotics in sows may improve sow body condition and reduce diarrhea incidence in piglets, with underlying changes in milk composition that warrant further investigation.

    Clostridium butyricum Probiotic Feed Additive: Modulation of Sow Milk Metabolomics and Mitigation of Pre-Weaning Piglet Diarrhea · 2024 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on identifying optimal dosage and duration, assessing long-term implications, elucidating mechanisms of action and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

    Analysing the Impact of Spirulina Intake Levels on Performance Parameters, Blood Health Markers and Carcass Traits of Broiler Chickens · 2024 · DOI

  • The nonprotein amino acid γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) can enhance intestinal function in piglets; however, the mechanisms involved are not yet fully understood.

    Multi-Omics Reveal the Improvements of Nutrient Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism and Intestinal Function via GABA Supplementation in Weanling Piglets · 2024 · DOI

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242 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 1,096 Animal Nutrition and Physiology papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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