Method for enhancing growth or increasing feed efficiency through reducing binding between endotoxin and its receptor in the gastrointestinal tract

A composition for oral consumption by a human or non-human animal comprising:

• an antibody to the extracellular domain of a protein selected from the group consisting of TLR4 and CD14 in an amount sufficient to enhance growth, improve feed efficiency, or both in the human or non-human animal;
• and
• an ingestible carrier.

A method for reducing gastrointestinal inflammation in a human or non-human animal, the method comprising the step of:

• administering to the animal an agent that can reduce formation of a complex on cellular surface of a cell in the gastrointestinal tract of the animal wherein the complex comprises endotoxin, TLR4 and CD14.

A method for producing a peptide for enhancing growth, improving feed efficiency, or both, the method comprising the steps of:

• administering an antibody to a cell surface receptor into the gastrointestinal tract of an animal;
• determining whether at least one of growth and feed efficiency are enhanced;
• if at least one of growth and feed efficiency are enhanced, producing a soluble peptide from the extracellular or ligand binding domain of the receptor wherein the peptide can compete with the receptor for binding to a ligand of the receptor.