Morphology Of Digestive Organs Research Articles

Supplementation of amylase combined with glucoamylase or protease changes intestinal microbiota diversity and benefits for broilers fed a diet of newly harvested corn

BackgroundThe effect of amylases combined with exogenous carbohydrase and protease in a newly harvested corn diet on starch digestibility, intestine health and cecal microbiota was investigated in broiler chickens.MethodsTwo hunderd and eighty-eight 5-day-old female chickens were randomly divided into six treatments: a newly harvested corn-soybean meal diet (control); control supplemented with 1,500 U/g α-amylase (Enzyme A); Enzyme A + 300 U/g amylopectase + 20,000 U/g glucoamylase (Enzyme B); Enzyme B + protease 10,000 U/g (Enzyme C); Enzyme C + xylanase 15,000 U/g (Enzyme D); and Enzyme D + cellulase 200 U/g + pectinase 1,000 U/g (Enzyme E). Growth performance, starch digestibility, digestive organ morphology, and intestinal microbiota were evaluated in the birds at 16 and 23 d of age.ResultsCompared with the control diet, supplementation with Enzyme A significantly decreased ileum lesion scoring at 16 d of age (P < 0.05); supplementation with Enzyme B or Enzyme C showed positive effects on ileal amylopectin and total starch digestibility (P < 0.05); Broilers fed with a diet supplemented with Enzyme D had a tendency to decrease body weight gain at 23 d. Enzyme E supplementation improved lesion scoring of jejunum and ileum at 16 d (P < 0.05), and increased ileal amylopectin or total starch digestibility at 23 d (P < 0.05). Supplementation of enzymes changed cecal microbiota diversity. High numbers of Campylobacter, Helicobacter and Butyricicoccus, Anaerostipes and Bifidobacterium, Sutterella and Odoribacter were the main genera detected in supplementations with Enzymes B, C, D, and E respectively.ConclusionsSupplementation with amylase combined with glucoamylase or protease showed a beneficial effect on starch digestibility and intestinal microbiota diversity, and increased growth of broilers fed with newly harvested corn.

Tissue analysis of Brazilian gracile opossum digestory tube (Gracilinanus microtarsus Wagner, 1842) (Marsupialia: Didelphidae)

The alimentary habit reflects in the morphology of digestive organs. In this sense, microscopic studies are useful to analyze the tissue composition of each organ and allow greater comparisons with other marsupials described in the literature. For this reason, the aim of this study was realize a microscopic description of the digestive tube in Gracilinanus microtarsus Wagner, 1842 (Marsupialia: Didelphidae). Six adults specimens were used (3 males and 3 females). Samples from organs of digestive tube were fixed in 10% folmaldehyde solution. The samples were dehydrated in increasing concentrations of ethanol (70%-100%), diaphanized in xylol, paraffin-embedded, cut into a microtome and stained by H. E., Picrossirius, Schiff periodic acid, Toluidine Blue and Masson’s Trichrome. The material was analyzed and photographed through a Nikon Eclipse E-400 Photomicroscope. This study demonstrated, for the first time, the histological constitution of the digestive tube of G. microtarsus. It has been demonstrated that the digestive tube is formed by the esophagus, stomach, small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and large intestine (cecum, colon and rectum). These organs were constituted by five distinct layers, a serosa coating externally the organ, a muscular, a submucosa, a muscular of the mucosa, and a mucosa with epithelium that varied between squamous keratinized in the esophagus to prismatic-type in the other organs. This study demonstrated that the digestive tube of animals studied is similar to that described in other marsupials Didelphidae described in the literature with the same food habit. Future immunohistochemical studies may demonstrate the enzymatic complex involved in digestion and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the uptake of nutrients by the digestive tube in this species.

Diet, digestive tract gross anatomy and morphometry of Akodon cursor Winge (Sigmodontinae): relations between nutritional content, diet composition and digestive organs

Individuals of Akodon cursor were collected at fragments from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and laboratory food preference experiments were performed. A preference index for each food item and the proportions of organic nutrients (glucids, protein, lipids and fibers) on the diet were calculated. Food items were grouped into fruits, seeds, roots, animal matter, arthropods, tubers and leaves, and their mass and proportions consumed were also calculated. Macroscopic digestive tract morphology was briefly described and the length of digestive organs was measured. Relations between the organic nutrient mass consumption, food type mass consumption and the digestive tract organ relative length were analyzed using Akaike’s information criteria. Fruits, seeds and roots made the most abundant food categories of the diet of A. cursor and presented the majority of preferred food items. Arthropods and seeds are related to protein consumption. Animal items are not considered preferred but were eventually chosen and are important for protein supply. Fruits and roots are the major source of glucids. Akodon cursor has simple macroscopic digestive organ morphology. Relations were found between lipids consumption and small intestine and caecum length. Akodon cursor is an omnivorous species and different food items are important for its nutritional supply even those that are considered non-preferred.

Variation in Body Composition and Digestive Organs of Tundra Swans during Migration at Long Point, Lake Erie, Ontario

Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) spend a substantial portion of their annual cycle at migratory staging areas. Despite the potential importance of staging areas to conservation of Eastern Population (EP) Tundra Swans, few data are available to assess life-history strategies of the species during migration. During 1999 and 2000, 48 adult Tundra Swans were collected during peak periods of spring and autumn migration at Long Point, Ontario, Canada, to establish baselines on nutrient reserve levels and morphology of digestive organs. Results were compared to nutrient reserve data for EP Tundra Swans collected at a major wintering area in North Carolina, USA. Lipid reserve levels did not differ between sexes nor varied with body size, but lipid reserves were approximately two times greater in autumn than spring. Males had greater protein reserves than females, and protein reserves were similar during autumn and spring. Although digestive organs were predicted to be longer and heavier during autumn, no seasonal variation in digestive organs was detected. Lipid reserve levels of Tundra Swans at Long Point during spring were similar to those recorded for wintering birds in North Carolina, suggesting that lipid reserves catabolized from autumn through winter were not replenished prior to arriving at this initial spring staging area. The results highlight the importance of managing quality aquatic and terrestrial foraging habitats at staging areas for conservation EP Tundra Swans.

Visualizing digestive organ morphology and function using differential fatty acid metabolism in live zebrafish

Lipids are essential for cellular function as sources of fuel, critical signaling molecules and membrane components. Deficiencies in lipid processing and transport underlie many metabolic diseases. To better understand metabolic function as it relates to disease etiology, a whole animal approach is advantageous, one in which multiple organs and cell types can be assessed simultaneously in vivo. Towards this end, we have developed an assay to visualize fatty acid (FA) metabolism in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). The method utilizes egg yolk liposomes to deliver different chain length FA analogs (BODIPY-FL) to six day-old larvae. Following liposome incubation, larvae accumulate the analogs throughout their digestive organs, providing a comprehensive readout of organ structure and physiology. Using this assay we have observed that different chain length FAs are differentially transported and metabolized by the larval digestive system. We show that this assay can also reveal structural and metabolic defects in digestive mutants. Because this labeling technique can be used to investigate digestive organ morphology and function, we foresee its application in diverse studies of organ development and physiology.

Morfologia de órgãos digestivos e não digestivos de suínos de linhagens modernas durante as fases de crescimento, terminação e pós-terminação

The genetic market makes use of various modern swine genotypes that present high capacity for muscular mass development. These genetic lines have been used in swine production without existing scientific information about morphology, knowledge that can elucidate factors related to growth performance, such as weight gain and food conversion in lean meat yield. The aim of this experiment was to compare the morphology of digestive and non-digestive organs of modern genotypes. At the end of the phases: Growing I, Growing II, Finishing and Post-finishing, the pigs were slaughtered and the organs were weighed. The weight of the organs decreased (p < 0.01) with body development, in agreement with the biological growth of the animals. The morphology of the digestive organs were different (p < 0.06) among lineages, which showed that differences can exist, mainly regarding digestive capacity and, possibly, food intake and efficiency. The length of the small intestine was different (p < 0.06) among lines, which can be an indicative of increased body development due to an extended food exposition area to intestinal cells. The scientific knowledge of swine lines morphology is important because this information can contribute to animal growth performance.

Differences in the digestive organ morphology of captive and wild Brown Teal Anas chlorotis and implications for releases

The digestive tract of many animals is morphologically flexible and can adjust over time to make the most efficient use of the foods available. Differences between captive and wild diets often cause large differences in the gut morphology of captive and wild birds. This is potentially an issue when captive-bred birds are used to establish or supplement populations in the wild, such as in the Brown Teal Anas chlorotis, an endangered duck endemic to New Zealand. We compared the size and mass of the digestive organs (proventriculus, gizzard, small intestine, caeca, rectum and liver) of 57 wild, eight captive and four captive-bred released Brown Teal. Captive Brown Teal had much shorter and lighter small intestines and caeca than wild Brown Teal. These differences could reduce the ability of captive-bred teal to efficiently digest a wild diet in the weeks following release, and are likely to contribute to the number of released teal found dead in extremely poor nutritional condition. Increased fibre and diversity in the captive diet together with supplementary feeding post-release are recommended to improve the survival of captive-bred Brown Teal released to the wild.

Role of Food in Territoriality and Egg Production of Buffleheads (Bucephala Albeola) and Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala Islandica)

Abstract Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) and the North American population of Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) typically breed in boreal and montane regions where food is less available relative to most habitats used by temperate nesting ducks. We investigated diets and digestive organ morphology of sympatrically breeding female Buffleheads and Barrow's Goldeneyes in central British Columbia. Because those congeners exhibit interspecific aggression in defense of breeding territories, we predicted that competition for food could be a principal factor in evolution of that behavior. We also hypothesized that breeding Buffleheads would show greater variation in digestive organ morphology than Barrow's Goldeneyes because of their smaller body size and consequently greater reliance on their diet to meet nutritional requirements for egg production. Both species fed predominantly on aquatic insects during all reproductive periods, particularly larvae of damselflies (Zygoptera), midges (Chironomidae), and phantom midges (Chaoborinae). Plant foods, primarily seeds of submergent and emergent vegetation, generally represented &lt;15% of diets in both species. Diets of breeding female Buffleheads and Barrow's Goldeneyes were similar throughout reproduction, hence competition for food has likely been a factor in evolution of territorial aggression between those species. The digestive tract morphology of Buffleheads was more variable than that of Barrow's Goldeneyes suggesting that the former relied more on dietary nutrients during reproduction than did their larger congener.

ROLE OF FOOD IN TERRITORIALITY AND EGG PRODUCTION OF BUFFLEHEADS (BUCEPHALA ALBEOLA) AND BARROW'S GOLDENEYES (BUCEPHALA ISLANDICA)

Abstract Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) and the North American population of Barrow's Goldeneyes (Bucephala islandica) typically breed in boreal and montane regions where food is less available relative to most habitats used by temperate nesting ducks. We investigated diets and digestive organ morphology of sympatrically breeding female Buffleheads and Barrow's Goldeneyes in central British Columbia. Because those congeners exhibit interspecific aggression in defense of breeding territories, we predicted that competition for food could be a principal factor in evolution of that behavior. We also hypothesized that breeding Buffleheads would show greater variation in digestive organ morphology than Barrow's Goldeneyes because of their smaller body size and consequently greater reliance on their diet to meet nutritional requirements for egg production. Both species fed predominantly on aquatic insects during all reproductive periods, particularly larvae of damselflies (Zygoptera), midges (Chironomidae), and...

Genetic analysis of digestive physiology using fluorescent phospholipid reporters.

Zebrafish are a valuable model for mammalian lipid metabolism; larvae process lipids similarly through the intestine and hepatobiliary system and respond to drugs that block cholesterol synthesis in humans. After ingestion of fluorescently quenched phospholipids, endogenous lipase activity and rapid transport of cleavage products results in intense gall bladder fluorescence. Genetic screening identifies zebrafish mutants, such as fat free, that show normal digestive organ morphology but severely reduced phospholipid and cholesterol processing. Thus, fluorescent lipids provide a sensitive readout of lipid metabolism and are a powerful tool for identifying genes that mediate vertebrate digestive physiology.

Constraints on feeding type in ruminants. A case for morphology over phylogeny.

Ruminants were categorized into three feeding types: grazers, mixed feeders and browsers based on their food habits. We studied how phylogeny constrains the feeding types, the morphology of digestive organs, and their relationships in Cervidae and Bovidae. It is shown that species with different feeding types occur in the same phylogenetic group of the family, subfamily, and tribe. This suggests that phylogeny does not always reflect feeding type. Comparisons of three morphological indices of digestive organs (parotid gland size, rumino-reticulum capacity, and rumino-reticulum contents weight) among feeding types found that trends along the grazer-browser continuum were similar in both families. The index values of the same feeding types were similar in the two families. These results suggest that the morphology of digestive organs is closely related to feeding types, and that phylogenetic characteristics are less important. The species in the same feeding type also share other morphological characteristics of digestive organs, irrespective of phylogeny.

Diets and Morphology of Digestive Organs of Five Species of Sea Ducks Wintering in Newfoundland.

Gizzard weight, small intestine length, and caeca length were measured from specimens of sea ducks collected in coastal Newfoundland during the November to March winter seasons of 1982-88. The diets of Common Eiders (Somateria mollissima) (n=24), King Eiders (S. spectabilis) (n=25), Black Scoters (Melanitta nigra) (n=17), Oldsquaws (Clangula hyemalis) (n=20), and Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus) (n=27) were entirely animal matter but differed in diversity and shell component. Common Eiders, King Eiders, and Black Scoters consumed a high proportion of mollusks and sea urchins, whereas, Oldsquaws and Harlequin Ducks consumed relatively high proportions of isopods and amphipods, respectively. Interspecific differences in morphology of digestive organs, not explained by body size, were accounted for by these general differences in diet. The largest gizzards were found in scoters and Common Eiders that had the highest shell component in their diets. The shortest digestive tracts were found in Black Scoters which had the most 'specialized' diet, although there was no significant difference between Black Scoters and Harlequin Ducks. Caeca length was similar between species, except they were exceptionally short in the Black Scoter. We were unable to speculate a functional relationship of the caeca, although it may be correlated to the diversity of the diet. These results confirm other findings that morphological differences in digestive organs in waterfowl reflect dietary differences.

Influences of Time Postmortem, Feeding Activity, and Diet on Digestive Organ Morphology of Two Emberizids

-We conducted experiments to determine the effect of time postmortem, feeding activity, and diet on changes in digestive organ morphology in Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) and Harris' Sparrows (Zonotrichia querula). We measured digestive organs immediately, or at 30, 60, or 90 min postmortem, but detected no time-related differences in Darkeyed Juncos. The small intestines of free-feeding Dark-eyed Juncos were longer than those of food-deprived birds. We found no significant diet-related differences in lengths of small intestines of Harris' Sparrows. Liver mass reflected energy intake of free-feeding versus fooddeprived Harris' Sparrows. Received 4 August 1989, accepted 7 April 1990. THE AVIAN literature abounds with descriptions of changes in digestive organ morphology. Researchers attributed changes in avian gizzard size to the texture and fiber content of the diet (Ziswiler and Farner 1972, Savory and Gentle 1976a, Kehoe and Ankney 1985), and reported a relationship between gizzard mass and body mass in northern Galliformes (Thomas 1984, Moss 1983). Leopold (1953) and Kehoe and Ankney (1985) suggested that a high-fiber diet causes increased lengths of small intestines, a conclusion reached by several researchers working on tetraonids (Moss 1974, Pendergast and Boag 1973, Pulliainen and Tunkkari 1983). A causal relationship between cecal size and dietary fiber was proposed (Leopold 1953) and supported with experimental evidence (Moss 1972, 1989; Savory and Gentle 1976b; Moss and Trenholm 1987; but see Remington 1989). Ziswiler and Farner (1972) contended that largeintestine length reflects the diet of avian species, and Savory and Gentle (1976a, b) could produce increases in large-intestine length by adding fiber to the diet of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix). Most pertinent reports on avian species have involved gallinaceous birds and waterfowl. Little attention has been focused on changes in gut morphology of passerines, or the influence of time postmortem or feeding activity on measurements of gut morphology. In this study, we examined the effects of time postmortem, feeding activity, and diet on digestive organ morphology of two emberizids, Harris' Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) and the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis).

Effects of dietary fiber and diet diversity on digestive organs of captive Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos)

We studied the effects of dietary fiber, of plant versus animal diets, and of diet diversity on the digestive organ morphology of captive Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos). Four experimental diets were used: whole corn (low fiber, plant), trout chow (low fiber, primarily animal), rabbit chow (high fiber, plant), and a diverse diet consisting of each of the preceding diets fed daily in random order. Every 5 days for 25 days, we sampled birds from each diet group (N = 6–8) and weighed each bird and its abdominal fat, gizzard, ceca, small intestine, and liver, and then measured its ceca and small intestine length. Other than differences explained by their different body sizes, the sex of the birds had no effect on gut measurements. Changes in body weight and abdominal fat weight suggested that Mallards existed equally well on each of the four diets, presumably because changes in their digestive organs allowed them to have similar digestive efficiencies when eating different diets. Birds on the high fiber diet had the largest digestive organs, but birds on all diets showed changes in digestive organs. The diverse diet produced effects on digestive organ morphology similar to those of the two low-fibre diets. Except for a larger gizzard for macerating corn in birds on that diet, there was no difference in the digestive organs between birds eating animal foods and those eating low fiber plant foods. The maximum weight of gizzard, intestine, and ceca of birds on the high fiber diet was reached in 10 days. However, ceca and intestine lengths of these birds were still increasing after 25 days. This observation suggests that birds can continue to respond to a change in diet after limits to the mass of their digestive organs have been reached.

Digestive organ morphology, diet, and guild structure of North American Anatidae

Discriminant function, cluster, and covariate analyses of gizzard, small intestine, and ceca weights were used to quantify the structure of feeding guilds and the effects of diet on gut morphology for 18 species of North American anatids. Guild structure based on gut measurements closely approximated that identified by generalized feeding habits. Herbivorous species such as Brant (Branta bernicla), Gadwall (Anas strepera), Redheads (Aythya americana), Canada Geese (Branta canadensis), and Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) consistently had heavier gizzards and ceca than carnivorous species such as Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula), Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola), Oldsquaw (Clangula hyemalis), and Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser). Omnivorous species such as Lesser Scaup (Aythya afftnis), Greater Scaup (Aythya marila), and American Black Ducks (Anas rubripes) were characterized by heavy gizzards, intermediate ceca, and heavy intestines. The results provide further evidence that intestine size is primarily influenced by overall diet diversity and suggest that gut size may be used to indicate general food habits. The ability of waterfowl to adjust gut sizes and accommodate dietary changes is restricted to ranges dictated by the most frequently eaten foods. Thus, predictions of general food habits can be made without knowledge of the foods being consumed at a particular time and location.