The use of genetically modified Roundup Ready soyabean meal and genetically modified MON 810 maize in broiler chicken diets. Part 2. Functional status of the small intestine

J Czerwiński,S Smulikowska,J Woliński,M Barszcz,M Słupecka-Ziemilska,P Konieczka

doi:10.22358/jafs/65641/2015

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The effects of genetically modified (GM) soyabean meal (SBM) and GM maize on the functional status of the small intestine of broiler chickens was studied. Eight diets were prepared, based on conventional or GM SBM (GTS 40-3-2) combined with non-modified maize cvs. Clarica and PR39 F58 or their isogenic GM (MON 810) counterparts cvs. Bacilla or PR39 F56. Diets were fed in mash form from days 1 to 30 of age to 192 Ross 308 broiler fe-males, assigned to 8 groups and kept in individual cages from day 8 of life. The functional status of the small intestine was studied in 8 birds per group after slaughter. The investigation included morphological evaluation of jejunum and ileum sections, calculation of apoptotic and mitotic indices, and measurement of DNA damage in jejunal epithelial cells. There were no statistically significant differences in morphological parameters of the jejunum and ileum except the width of the tunica mucosa in the jejunum, which was greater in birds fed GM than in those given conventional maize. GM SBM had no effect on the apoptotic and mitotic indices in the crypt area or in villi tips, while GM maize did not affect these indices in the crypt area, but increased the apoptotic index in the villi tips of the jejunum. Neither substituting conventional SBM by GM SBM, nor con-ventional maize by GM maize induced significant DNA damage in the epithelial cells of the jejunum. Our results indicate that the functional development and maturation of the small intestinal epithelium is not greatly modified by the use of GM SBM and GM maize in broiler diets.

Highlights

Over the last few years, interest in food safety and the safety of animal production has been growing within the European Union
In the first part of our study, we demonstrated that the use of genetically modified (GM) soyabean meal GTS40-3-2 and/or GM maize MON810 did not negatively affect feed efficiency or the blood lymphocyte subpopulations of birds (Czerwiński et al, 2015)
Many reports have shown that GM maize and GM soyabean meal (SBM) had no effect on the morphology of the small intestine in domestic animals (Buzoianu et al 2012; Reichert et al 2012; Walsh et al 2012) and rats (Kiliç and Akay 2008)

Summary

Introduction

Over the last few years, interest in food safety and the safety of animal production has been growing within the European Union. In vitro studies have demonstrated that glyphosate may provoke cytotoxic effects on cultured human keratinocytes, modifying their antioxidant capacities and impairing morphological and functional cell characteristics, or may induce epidermal cell death (Heu et al, 2012a,b). It may induce necrosis and apoptosis in mature rat testicular cells (Clair et al, 2012) or may affect the spontaneous motor activity of rat jejunum strips (Chłopecka et al, 2014). Intestinal morphology may be used as an indicator of gut health (Zhang et al 2014)

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