From research measurements to application: Bridging the gap; Overview of practical and scientific measurements in nutrition

Abstract

Research that advances the practice of poultry nutrition covers a wide range, including fundamental studies that explore mechanisms in cells or a small number of birds and applied research that determines product yield in authentic production facilities. Ultimately, the applied research informs the economic analysis necessary for implementation of novel nutritional strategies or products. Nutritional controversies arise from applied research experiments that were not designed and interpreted based on the realities learned from mechanistic work. The experimental design and measurements selected for comparing nutrient sources or setting nutrient recommendations should be informed by underlying mechanistic information, such as the relative priorities of cells and tissues for the nutrient and the shape of the dose response relationship across a wide range of added dietary levels of the nutrient. Integrating mechanistic and applied research provides more robust results that can be used across wider ranges of diets and husbandry conditions.