Histological aspects of the small intestine under variable feed restriction: The effects of short and intense restriction on a growing rabbit model.

Peter Makovicky,Zdenek Volek,Pavel Vodicka,Pavol Makovicky,Eva Tumova

doi:10.3892/etm.2014.1924

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of seven days of feed restriction (between days 42 and 49) on the morphology of the small intestine in experimental rabbit models. Sixty weaned Hyplus rabbits (35 days old) were included in the experiment and split into three groups of 20 rabbits. The first control group (n=20) received feed ad libitum (ADL group), the second (R1) experimental group (n=20) was fed 50 g feed per rabbit per day and the third (R2) experimental group (n=20) received 65 g feed per rabbit per day. Duodenal samples were collected when the rabbits were aged 49, 56, 63 and 70 days. The mean villus height, crypt depth and small intestine length were measured. Significant interactions (P<0.001) between group and age were identified in the villi height and crypt depths. The maximum mean villus height was found in the R2 group in 56-day-old rabbits (643.14 μm), while the minimum was found in the ADL group in 49-day-old rabbits (460.29 μm). The longest (P<0.001) small intestine was measured in the R1 group in 63-day-old rabbits (347.60 cm), while the shortest was measured in the ADL group in 49-day-old rabbits (263.60 cm). The models show that villus height, crypt depth and the length of the small intestine change with the intensity of feed restriction and age.

Highlights

IntroductionThe effect of feed restriction has been studied in numerous animal models [1,2,3,4], but the question still remains as to what
The effect of feed restriction has been studied in numerous animal models [1,2,3,4], but the question still remains as to whatKey words: histopathology, nutrition, rabbit, small intestine, starvation, intestinal villi the effects of feed restriction are on health status, the reduction of the risk of separate factors and the utility of the animals
It is necessary to determine the effects of different lengths and intensities of feed restriction, as well as the effect of restriction at different ages, and to verify that there are no pathological effects on the morphology of the small intestine

Summary

Introduction

The effect of feed restriction has been studied in numerous animal models [1,2,3,4], but the question still remains as to what. It is necessary to determine the effects of different lengths and intensities of feed restriction, as well as the effect of restriction at different ages, and to verify that there are no pathological effects on the morphology of the small intestine. The absorption of nutrients depends on the digestive tract, and it can be assumed that quantitative restriction of feed intake can change the morphology of the small intestine mucosa [11]. We hypothesized that the changes in the length of the small intestine, villus height and crypt depth depend on the restriction time‐period and the intensity of feed restriction.

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