The effect of the feed supplement “Globigen jump start” on the morphometric parameters of the small intestinal mucosa of piglets

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Early weaning of piglets from the sow with a rapid transition from milk to pelleted feed is a common practice in industrial pig farming. To mitigate the feed-related stress in piglets during this period, supplements are introduced into their diet aiming to boost immune response, reduce pathogenic microorganisms in the intestines, and stimulate digestion. This article presents the results of a research on the effect of the feed supplement “Globigen Jump Start”, which contains dried yeast and immunoglobulin-enriched egg powder, on the number of goblet cells and the morphometric parameters of the piglets' small intestine. It was found that the addition of this feed supplement to the piglets' diet significantly increased the height of the duodenal villi by 37.43 % (P > 0.001) by day 14 of the experiment and improved the villus-to-crypt depth ratio, indicating an increase in the surface area and the mucosa's improved ability to absorb nutrients. Additionally, feeding changes also affected the size of the villi in the jejunum and ileum, where a significant increase in size was also observed by day 14, by 12.79 % and 6.6 %, respectively, compared to the control group of piglets. Morphometric studies revealed a trend toward thickening of the muscular layer in both the jejunum and ileum during the first two weeks of consuming pelleted feed with the “Globigen Jump Start” supplement, likely due to changes in diet and the altered feed digestion rate. During the transition to a different type of feed, differences were also noted in the number of goblet cells in the small intestinal mucosa, which produce mucin that protects the body from endogenous and exogenous irritants, microbial adhesion, and aids nutrient transport. In the duodenum of the experimental group of piglets, the number of goblet cells was higher by 3.2 cells on day 14 compared to the control group, and by day 28, this difference decreased to 1.7 cells. A similar trend was observed in the jejunum at both day 14 and day 28, with a significant increase in goblet cell count in the experimental group by 11.6 (P > 0.01) and 13.1 (P > 0.001) compared to control animals. In the ileum of the experimental group, an advantage was also noted. On day 14, the goblet cell count was significantly higher by 6.4 cells (P > 0.05) and by 14.6 (P > 0.001) on day 28 compared to the control group.