Abstract
Peripartum nutrition is crucial for developing the immune system of neonates. We hypothesized that maternal short-chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS) supplementation could accelerate the development of intestinal immunity in offspring. Thirty-four sows received a standard or a scFOS supplemented diet (10 g scFOS/d) for the last 4 weeks of gestation and the 4 weeks of lactation. Colostrum and milk immunoglobulins (Ig) and TGFβ1 concentrations were evaluated on the day of delivery and at d 6 and d 21 postpartum. Piglet intestinal structure, the immunologic features of jejunal and ileal Peyer's patches, and mesenteric lymph node cells were analysed at postnatal d 21. Short-chain fatty acid concentrations were measured over time in the intestinal contents of suckling and weaned piglets. Colostral IgA (P<0.05) significantly increased because of scFOS and TGFβ1 concentrations tended to improve (P<0.1). IFNγ secretion by stimulated Peyer's patch and mesenteric lymph node cells, and secretory IgA production by unstimulated Peyer's patch cells were increased (P<0.05) in postnatal d 21 scFOS piglets. These differences were associated with a higher proportion of activated CD25+CD4α+ T cells among the CD4+ helper T lymphocytes (P<0.05) as assessed by flow cytometry. IFNγ secretion was positively correlated with the population of activated T lymphocytes (P<0.05). Total short-chain fatty acids were unchanged between groups during lactation but were higher in caecal contents of d 90 scFOS piglets (P<0.05); specifically propionate, butyrate and valerate. In conclusion, we demonstrated that maternal scFOS supplementation modified the intestinal immune functions in piglets in association with increased colostral immunity. Such results underline the key role of maternal nutrition in supporting the postnatal development of mucosal immunity.
Highlights
Prenatal and early postnatal life represents a crucial period during which many systems develop, such as the gut immune system, and commensal microbiota
Feed intake increased for the last week of lactation in sows supplemented with short-chain fructooligosaccharide (scFOS)
Our study demonstrated that supplementing the maternal diet with scFOS modified the development of mucosal cellular immunity in suckling offspring: increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by Peyer’s patches (PP) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) cells, higher proportion of activated T-cells in ileal PP cells and increased secretion of Secretory IgA (sIgA) by PP cells
Summary
Prenatal and early postnatal life represents a crucial period during which many systems develop, such as the gut immune system, and commensal microbiota. Contact of GALT with the environment and colonizing bacteria from birth is essential for healthy immune maturation and the development of tolerance [2]. Due to the presence of immunological factors (IgG, IgA, IgM and cytokines), colostrum and breast milk represent a crucial source of passive immunity [3]. To a lesser extent milk, contain immunosuppressive cytokines such as TGFb1 and IL-10, which participate in inducing tolerance to harmless food antigens and commensal bacteria [5]. Environmental antigens from the mother’s intestine, transported to the mammary gland, are transferred via colostrum and milk to the neonate and affect its immune responses [6,7]
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