Duodenal Villus Height Research Articles

Effects of dietary supplementation of guanidino acetic acid on growth performance, thigh meat quality and development of small intestine in Partridge-Shank broilers

AbstractThe current experiment aimed at assessing the effects of dietary supplementation of guanidino acetic acid (GAA) on growth performance, thigh meat quality and development of small intestine in broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old female broiler chicks were distributed randomly to four groups of 90 birds each, and each group received GAA dosages of 0, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 g/kg of feed dry matter. During the whole experiment of 60 days, broilers hadad libitumaccess to water and feed and the feed intake was recorded daily. All broilers were weighed before and after the experiment, and 30 broilers of each group were selected randomly to slaughter at the end. Increasing dietary supplementation of GAA increased final live weight and daily body weight gain, gain-to-feed ratio, thigh muscle pH value and fibre diameter of broilers, but decreased daily feed intake, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force value, hardness, gumminess and chewiness of thigh meat. In addition, increasing supplementation of GAA quadratically increased duodenal, jejunal and ileal villus height and width and ratio of villus height to crypt depth, but decreased crypt depth. The results indicated that GAA as a feed additive may support better development of small intestine, thereby resulting in improvement of growth performance and meat quality of broilers.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, intestinal development, and immune response of weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

BackgroundWeanling pigs, with immature immune system and physiological function, usually experience post-weaning diarrhea. This study determined the effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum supplementation on growth performance, diarrhea, and immunity of weaned pigs challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).MethodsIn Experiment (Exp.) 1, 144 weaned piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to six groups, with six replicates per group and four pigs per replicate, receiving a control diet (CON) or diet supplemented with antibiotics (AB) or C. butyricum (CB) (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.8%), respectively. All diets in Exp. 1 were a highly digestible basal diet, with 3,000 mg/kg zinc oxide supplied in the first 2 wk only. In Exp. 2, 180 piglets were weaned at 21 d and randomly assigned to five groups, with six replicates per group and six pigs per replicate, receiving CON, AB, or CB (0.2%, 0.4%, or 0.6%) diets. The digestibility of diets was lower than those in Exp. 1, and did not include zinc oxide. At 36 d of Exp. 2, 12 piglets were selected from each of the CON and 0.4% CB groups, six piglets were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (50 μg/kg body weight) and the other six piglets with normal saline; animals were killed at 4 h after injection to collect blood, intestine, and digesta samples for biochemical analysis.ResultsIn Exp. 1, CB and AB diets had no effect on growth performance of piglets. In Exp. 2, 0.4% CB decreased feed-gain ratio (P < 0.1), diarrhea score (P < 0.05), and increased duodenal, jejunal, and ileal villus height and jejunal villus height/crypt depth (P < 0.05). The 0.4% CB decreased the plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α (P < 0.05) but increased ileal mucosa IL-10 and TLR2 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 0.4% CB altered the microbial profile, with Bacillus and Ruminococcaceae UGG-003 at genus level and Lactobacillus casei and Parasutterella secunda at species level were higher than CON in colonic content (P < 0.05).ConclusionsDietary C. butyricum supplementation had positive effects on growth of weaned piglets with less digestible diets. There was a tendency to reduce the feed-gain ratio, which could reduce feed costs in pig production. Moreover, C. butyricum decreased post-weaning diarrhea by improving the intestinal morphology, intestinal microflora profile, and immune function.

Effect of in-ovo injection of glucose and egg white protein on the production performance and gut histomorphometry of broiler chicken

A biological trial was carried out to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of glucose and egg white protein on the production performance and gut histomorphometry of broilers. 500 hatching eggs with uniform weight (68±1g) were randomly allotted to five treatment groups each with five replicates of 20 eggs each and incubated. The eggs were injected with one of the following nutrient solutions on 18th day of incubation viz. 0.5 ml of 25 % glucose (T3), 0.5 ml of 12% egg white protein (T4), 0.5 ml of 25 % glucose + egg white protein 12% (T5) into the amnion along this100 eggs served as non injected control (T1) and 100 eggs injected with normal saline (T2) which also served as sham control. The hole was sealed and the period of incubation was continued till 21st day. After hatching, 400 chicks were randomized in to five treatments of five replicates each with 16 chicks. Data on hatchability, hatch weight, bi-weekly body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, FCR and villi height, width, crypt depth of duodenum, jejunum and ileum were recorded and analysed statistically for significant difference. Results revealed that in ovo injection of glucose, egg white protein and their combination significantly (P less than 0.05) increased hatchability, chick weight, body weight and livability. However, the feed consumption was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher in glucose, egg white protein and glucose + egg white protein injected birds compared to non injected control and sham groups. The FCR was significantly (P less than 0.05) improved in all in ovo injected groups compared to control and sham. In ovo feeding significantly (P less than 0.05) increased the duodenal, jejuna and ileal villi height, width and crypt depth (P less than 0.01) compared to control birds. In ovo injection of glucose and EWP either alone or in combination improved the productive performance, gut histomorphology and net profit of the broilers.

Low dose of coated zinc oxide is as effective as pharmacological zinc oxide in promoting growth performance, reducing fecal scores, and improving nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coated zinc oxide on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal scores, minerals concentrations in serum, fecal zinc, intestinal morphology, and selected microbial population in weaned pigs. A total of 192 crossbred [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] weaned pigs (7.42 ± 0.97 kg) were randomly assigned into one of the following dietary treatments: (1) negative control (NC): basal diet; (2) positive control (PC): NC + 2500 mg/kg conventional zinc oxide; (3) CZO300: NC + 300 mg/kg coated zinc oxide; (4) CZO500: NC + 500 mg/kg coated zinc oxide; (5) CZO1000: NC + 1000 mg/kg coated zinc oxide; (6) CZO2000: NC + 2000 mg/kg coated zinc oxide. Each treatment had 8 replicate pens, with 4 pigs per pen. Pigs fed PC, CZO500, CZO1000, and CZO2000 diets had higher (P < 0.01) average daily gain (ADG) than those fed NC diet during days 0–21. During days 0–42, supplementation of coated zinc oxide at levels of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg increased ADG compared with NC treatment (P < 0.05). Pigs fed PC, CZO300, CZO500, CZO1000, and CZO2000 diets had lower (P < 0.01) fecal scores compared with those fed NC diet during weeks 1, 2, and 3, but no significant difference was observed among coated zinc oxide-supplemented diets. Pigs fed the PC, CZO1000, or CZO2000 diet had greater (P < 0.05) coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility of dry matter than pigs fed NC diet. Compared with pigs fed NC diets, pigs fed the PC diet or coated zinc oxide-supplemented diets had increased (P < 0.01) serum and fecal zinc concentrations. Duodenal villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth of pigs fed PC, CZO1000, and CZO2000 diets were higher (P < 0.05) than those of pigs fed NC diet, whereas no significant differences were observed between pigs fed the PC, CZO1000, and CZO2000 diets. In conclusion, supplementing low doses (500–1000 mg/kg) of coated zinc oxide were as effective in stimulating growth, alleviating post-weaning diarrhea, and improving small intestinal morphology and nutrient digestibility as when a pharmacological level of zinc oxide (2500 mg/kg) was included. Additionally, low doses of coated zinc oxide reduced the amount of zinc excreted into the feces compared with 2500 mg/kg conventional zinc oxide.

Serum chemistry and gut morphology of two strains of broiler chickens to varying interval of post hatch feeding

This trial was carried out to determine the responses of two broiler strains of chicken to different post-hatch access to feed. 180-day old chicks (Arbor acre and Marshal strains) with initial weight range of 39.36–42.24 g were used for this study. Each strain was divided on weight equalization into three treatment groups consisting of three time-periods with access to feeds (4 h, 24 h, 48 h) post hatch in a 2 × 3 factorial experiment after which they were fed ad-libitum. Thirty (30) birds were assigned to each treatment which comprised of three replicates of ten birds. Data collected on serum biochemical constituents and gut morphology were measured and subjected to analysis of variance in a randomized design. The Marshal strain recorded a higher (p < 0.05) final live weight (2420.00 g/bird) than the Arbor acre strain (2218.30 g/bird). Birds fed at 4 h and 24 h post-hatch recorded higher (p < 0.05) final live weights (2402.00 and 2391.00 g/bird) than those fed at 48 h post-hatch (2133.00 g/bird). Interaction effects showed that the Marshal strain fed at 4 h post-hatch had the highest (p < 0.05) final live weight (2594.00 g/bird). Highest (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin (37.3 and 22.8 g/l) were recorded in birds fed at 4 h post-hatch when assessed at 4 weeks of age. Furthermore, birds fed at 4 h and 24 h post-hatch recorded higher (p < 0.05) serum total protein and albumin than those fed at 48 h post-hatch. Birds fed at 4 h post-hatch recorded the highest (p < 0.05) duodenal villus height at 4th and 8th week of age and highest (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height when assessed in the 2nd week of age. It was concluded that Marshal strain fed at 4 h post-hatch elicited the highest growth performance and the most developed gut morphological features.

Effects of Nutrient Density and exogenous enzymesin Starter Diet on Performance, Intestinal Microflora, Gut Morphology and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT A total of 810 one-day-old, straight-run broilers were used to evaluate the effects of dietary nutrient density and feed additives included in the starter diet on their performance, intestinal microbiota, gut morphology, and immune response. A 3×3 factorial arrangement with three nutrient densities (100, 103.75 and 107.5%, as recommended) and three feed additives (no additives, 0.5 g/kg diet Maxi-Gen, and Maxi-Gen + Superzyme + Bio-Phytase at the rate of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.1 g/kg diet, respectively), fed from 1 to 10 d of age. Similar commercial corn-soy grower and finisher diets fed to all birds from 10-24 and 24-42 d of age, respectively. There was higher (p<0.05) body weight gain and lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio in chicks fed starter diet with 107.5% nutrient density and Maxi-Gen with or without exogenous enzymes compared with those fed control diet at 10 and 42 d of age. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria counts in the cecal content were increased linearly as dietary nutrient density increased in 10-d-old birds (p<0.05). Higher duodenal and jejunal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p<0.05) were measured in the birds fed the starter diets with 103.75% and 107.5% nutrient density at 5 and 10 d of age. Total anti-SRBC and IgM titers were significantly higher in the broilers fed the 107.5% nutrient density diet containing feed additives at 35 day of age. It is concluded that higher nutrient density and the inclusion of feed additives in the starter diet may improve the growth performance, gut morphology, and immune response of broiler chickens.

Sepiolite as a feed supplement for broilers

This study was planned to determine the importance of sepiolite in broiler nutrition. For this purpose a total of 180 Ross 308 male broiler chicks aged one day were used. One control group and two treatment groups were designed for 6weeks of experimental period. Each group was divided into 10 replicates of 6 chicks each in pens. Sepiolite (Exal T®, Tolsa Turkey) was added at the level of 0, 1 and 2% to the diets of control group and the first and the second treatment groups as topdressed, respectively. Sepiolite supplementation at the level of 1% improved final body weight, weight gain and feed efficiency. Dietary treatments did not affect feed intake, gut pH, carcass yield, relative weight of the liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and carcass parts, footpad score, excreta and litter characteristics. Tibia characteristics, blood parameters and breast meat characteristics were not affected by the usage of sepiolite. Relative weight of the abdominal fat and ileal digesta viscosity were reduced and duodenal villus height, ileal digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein was increased with the usage of 1% sepiolite. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with 1% sepiolite was an effective feed additive for broiler feeding due to its beneficial effects on growth performance, abdominal fat percentage, ileal digesta viscosity, duodenal villus height and ileal digestibility.

Therapeutic effects of different doses of polyethylene glycosylated porcine glucagon-like peptide-2 on ulcerative colitis in male rats

BackgroundPolyethylene glycosylated (PEGylated) porcine glucagon-like peptide-2 (pGLP-2) considerably increases half-life and stability compared with the native pGLP-2, but the effective dose for intestinal damage is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the available dose of polyethylene glycosylated porcine glucagon-like peptide-2 (PEG-pGLP-2), a modified, long-acting form of pGLP-2 in an experimental rat model of ulcerative colitis.MethodsThirty-five male rats were randomly assigned into five groups: control, dextran sodium sulphate (DSS), DSS + PEG–pGLP-2(L), DSS + PEG–pGLP-2(M) and DSS + PEG–pGLP-2(H). Rats in control group received only water; other rats were fed with 5% (w/v) DSS and intraperitoneally administered with 12.5, 25 and 100 nmol/kg PEG–pGLP-2 daily for 6 days.ResultsCompared with the control treatment, DSS treatment significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight change, colonic length, duodenal villus height and expression of zonula occludens-1, whereas significantly (p < 0.05) increased colonic damage score and expression of claudin-1, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-7, IL-10, interferon-γ and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in colon. However, the three doses of PEG–pGLP-2 all reduced these effects; these treatments significantly (p < 0.05) increased body weight change and duodenal villus height, whereas significantly (p < 0.05) decreased colonic damage score and expression of IL-1, IL-7 and TNF-α in colon. Specifically, low-dose (12.5 nmol/kg/d) PEG–pGLP-2 was effective.ConclusionsThese results indicated that PEG–pGLP-2 is a novel and potentially effective therapy for intestinal healing in a relatively low dose.

Dietary bacteriophages as an alternative for zinc oxide or organic acids to control diarrhoea and improve the performance of weanling piglets

In this study, the antibacterial substances ZnO, organic acids and a bacteriophage cocktail were added to the diet of weanling pigs to evaluate the effects on gut health. Dietary treatments were basal diet without any supplementation (Control) and basal diet either supplemented with 0.34% (2500 ppm) ZnO, 0.20% organic acids or with 0.10% bacteriophage cocktail. Faecal score was decreased in ZnO and bacteriophage cocktail treatments. The total number of ileal anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. were higher in ZnO, bacteriophage cocktail and organic acids, while ileal coliforms and caecal Clostridium spp. were decreased in comparison to Control. Faecal coliforms (Day 7 and Day 21) and Clostridium spp. (Day 21 and Day 35) were lower in bacteriophage cocktail. The gain to feed ratio was improved in all supplemented groups. The digestibility of dry matter was increased at the end of the experiment in all supplemented groups, while that of crude protein was increased only at Day 21 in bacteriophage cocktail. Duodenal villus height was increased in ZnO and bacteriophage cocktail. Bacteriophage cocktail also showed a greater villus height in the small intestine. Supplementation of bacteriophage cocktail in weaning pig diets resulted in better growth performance, digestibility and gut development compared to Control, and thus, it can be concluded that its effects are comparable to ZnO or organic acids supplementation.

Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Visceral Organs and Intestinal Histology in Broilers Fed Dietary Dried Fermented Ginger and/or Fermented Corncob Powder

To determine whether dried fermented ginger (DFG), fermented with Japanese mugwort silage juice, could be replaced by fermented corncob powder (FCP) as a of feed ingredient source without significant body weight decrease or damage to visceral organs (using gross anatomical observation), to intestinal villi (using light microscopy), or to the epithelial cells on the villus apical surface (using scanning electron microscopy) the following investigation was performed. Sixty-four male broilers were allotted to 4 groups: a basal diet group (control group), and basal diet groups with DFG at a level of 50 ppm; with DFG at 50 ppm and FCP at 250 ppm (50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group); and with FCP at a level of 500 ppm (500 ppm FCP group). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, carcass quality, small intestinal length and weight, and visceral organ weight were not different among groups. Furthermore, regarding intestinal villus height, villus area and crypt depth, a significant difference was not found among the groups. When these values of the control were expressed as an index of 100, the duodenal villus height of the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group and the 500 ppm FCP group were 114 and 119, respectively. The duodenal villus area of the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group and the 500 ppm FCP group were 125 and 158, respectively. These villus heights and areas are thought to be activated. On the epithelial cells on the villus apical surface in the duodenum and jejunum, the 50 ppm DFG + 250 ppm FCP group had protuberated cells into the intestinal lumen and deeper cells at the sites of recently exfoliated cells, suggesting that these cells are activated. The present results indicate that small amounts of fermented corncob powder can be used as a feed supplement when mixed with fermented ginger powder, due to the synergy between the two ingredients, resulting in a 6% increase in body weight gain。

Short-term effect of supplemental yeast extract without or with feed enzymes on growth performance, immune status and gut structure of weaned pigs challenged with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide.

BackgroundThis study investigated the response of piglets receiving a yeast extract without or with a multi-enzyme mixture compared with an antimicrobial growth promoter (AGP) on performance, immune status and gut structure after an E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Thirty-six pigs were allotted to six treatments including: a non-challenged control (NCC); LPS-challenged control (CC); CC + AGP; CC + yeast extract; CC + enzymes; and CC + enzymes + yeast extract. On d 7, pigs were bled and thereafter injected with LPS or sterile saline. Blood samples were collected at 6, 48, and 96 h post-challenge. After 96 h post-challenge, pigs were euthanized to obtain duodenal, jejunal and ileal samples.ResultsOverall (d 1 to 11), compared with CC pigs, AGP attenuated the LPS-induced reduction in ADG (P = 0.004), ADFI (P = 0.03) and gain/feed ratio (P = 0.01). At 6 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower plasma urea N (PUN; P = 0.02) and serum TNF- α concentration (P = 0.07), and higher platelet count (P = 0.04) and serum IL-10 concentration (P = 0.02) than CC pigs. At 48 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower PUN (P = 0.02) than CC pigs, whereas enzymes + yeast extract interacted non-additively (P = 0.001) to reduce PUN. At 96 h post-challenge, AGP pigs had lower PUN (P = 0.02) and higher duodenal (P = 0.03), jejunal (P = 0.01) and ileal (P = 0.07) villus height than CC pigs. In addition, enzymes + yeast extract interacted additively and non-additively to reduce ileal IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) and IL-10 (P = 0.012) expression, respectively. Generally, no differences (P > 0.10) were observed between AGP and enzymes + yeast extract pigs on other measured parameters except for the downregulation of ileal IFN-γ (P < 0.0001) and TNF-α (P = 0.003) in enzymes + yeast extract pigs at 96 h post-challenge.ConclusionsThe LPS challenged piglets receiving enzymes + yeast extract showed beneficial responses in gut structure and immunity commensurate with those receiving antibiotics, though the latter had better overall growth performance.

Effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and diet composition on performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of time of initiation of feeding after hatching and influence of diet composition on growth performance, carcass characteristics, digestive tract development and immune responses of broilers. A total of straight-run 420 Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments with five replicates of 14 chicks each. The dietary treatments consisted of feeding a maize-soybean meal diet immediately posthatching until 14 days of age (Control), fasting for 24 or 48 h posthatching, feeding maize for 24–48 h posthatching, and feeding a maize gluten-dextrose pre-starter diet for 5 days posthatching. The study lasted from 0 to 42 days of age. For the entire 42-day period, chicks fasted or fed maize for 48 h posthatching or those fed the maize gluten-dextrose diet for 5 days posthatching had lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) feed intake and lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) weight gain compared with the Control. However, birds fasted or those fed maize for 24 or 48 h posthatching had similar (P &amp;gt; 0.05) feed intake and weight gain as the Control. The duodenal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio were lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and the duodenal crypt depth was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Conversely, birds fasted for 48 h posthatching had higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) jejunal villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio and lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) jejunal crypt depth compared with the Control. The antibody titres against Newcastle disease was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for the groups other than the Control, whereas the antibody titres against Avian Influenza virus was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in birds fasted for 48 h posthatching and in those fed maize for 48 h posthatching compared with the Control. Also, birds fed maize for 24 h posthatching had lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) antibody titres against sheep red blood cells compared with the other treatments. These results indicated that feeding a maize-soybean meal starter diet immediately after hatch has a beneficial effect on growth performance and immune response of broilers and improves morphological development of the intestine.

Effects of yeast products on the intestinal morphology, barrier function, cytokine expression, and antioxidant system of weaned piglets.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a mixture of yeast culture, cell wall hydrolysates, and yeast extracts (collectively "yeast products," YP) on the performance, intestinal physiology, and health of weaned piglets. A total of 90 piglets weaned at 21 d of age were blocked by body weight, sex, and litter and randomly assigned to one of three treatments for a 14-d feeding experiment, including (1) a basal diet (control), (2) 1.2 g/kg of YP, and (3) 20 mg/kg of colistin sulfate (CSE). No statistically significant differences were observed in average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, or gain-to-feed ratio among CSE, YP, and control piglets. Increased prevalence of diarrhea was observed among piglets fed the YP diet, whereas diarrhea was less prevalent among those fed CSE. Duodenal and jejunal villus height and duodenal crypt depth were greater in the control group than they were in the YP or CSE groups. Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in the duodenal and jejunal villi were enhanced by YP, whereas IEL in the ileal villi were reduced in weaned piglets fed YP. Secretion of jejunal and ileal interleukin-10 (IL-10) was higher and intestinal and serum antioxidant indexes were affected by YP and CSE. In YP- and CSE-supplemented animals, serum D-lactate concentration and diamine oxidase (DAO) activity were both increased, and intestinal mRNA expressions of occludin and ZO-1 were reduced as compared to the control animals. In conclusion, YP supplementation in the diets of weaned piglets appears to increase the incidence of diarrhea and has adverse effects on intestinal morphology and barrier function.

Assessment of probiotic potential of Lactobacillus reuteri MD5-2 isolated from ceca of Muscovy ducks

Abstract : Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used as probiotics in poultry. The present study employed invitro and in vivo methods to select and test LAB isolated from Muscovy duck ceca as potential probiotics. In thein vitro study, 50 LAB were isolated from Muscovy duck ceca and tested for growth inhibition against Salmonella(S.) Enteritidis. Eleven isolates strongly inhibited S. Enteritidis and only 1 isolate (MD5-2) showing the strongestinhibition was selected for identification. This isolate was called as Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri MD5-2. For the in vivoinvestigation, 90 1-day-old Muscovy ducks were randomly assigned into three groups of 30 animals each (group 1,control; group 2, treated with 10 8 colony-forming unit (CFU) of L. reuteri MD5-2 orally once on day 1; and group3, treated with 10 8 CFU of L. reuteri MD5-2 orally once daily from days 1 to 5). The ducks were housed in threelarge cages and raised for 50 days, after which body weight, duodenal villus height and crypt depth were measured.Both villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio were significantly greater in group 3 than in groups 1 and2. In conclusion, further investigation of L. reuteri MD5-2 as a potential probiotic strain is warranted.Keywords : Lactobacillus reuteri, Muscovy ducks, Salmonella Enteritidis, lactic acid bacteria, probiotics

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) protein hydrolysate in diets for weaning piglets ─ effect on growth performance, intestinal morphometry and microbiota composition

Salmon protein hydrolysates (SPH) from two different rest raw materials were evaluated in diets for weaning piglets. Four experimental diets were included in the study: a diet based on plant protein with soy protein as the main protein source (Diet PP), a diet based on fishmeal in exchange for soy protein (Diet FM) and two diets in which different SPH replaced fishmeal in the FM diet. The experimental diets were fed to piglets from the day of weaning until 32 d postweaning. In addition to the record of performance data, an intestinal sampling for mucosal morphometry and microbiota 16S rRNA gene sequencing were performed at day 11 on a subset of the animals. The duodenal villi absorption area was significantly larger in piglets receiving Diets SPH compared with Diet PP (p < 0.02). A significant positive correlation between duodenal villi height and average daily gain during the first 11 d postweaning was detected. Only small differences in intestinal microbiota community and no differences in growth performance were detected between the experimental diets. To conclude, SPH seem to be an interesting novel protein source in weanling piglets.

Effects of dietary leucine supplementation on the gene expression of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway and intestinal development of broilers.

This experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary leucine supplementation on the gene expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway and intestinal development of broilers. A total of 384 one-day-old broilers were randomly assigned into 4 treatments with 6 replicates (16 broilers per replicate). Broilers in these treatment groups were offered the following diets with 1.37, 1.77, 2.17 and 2.57% of leucine. These diet treatments were named 1.37TM, 1.77TM, 2.17TM, and 2.57TM. The experiment lasted 21 days and all birds had free access to feed and water. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in body weight, average daily gain and average feed intake among all treatments (P > 0.05). The broiler duodenal villus height in 2.57TM was the lowest, but the highest occurred in 1.37TM on d 7 and 14 (P < 0.05). The villus height in the jejunum and ileum increased along with leucine level from 1.37 to 2.17%. The villus height of jejunum was significantly higher in 2.17TM than in 1.37TM on d 7 and 14, and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V:C) in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum increased significantly (P < 0.05) on d 21. The gene expression level of mTOR in the duodenum decreased with increasing leucine level and was higher in 1.37TM than in 2.57TM on d 7 and 14 (P < 0.05). On d 14 and 21 of the trial, the expression of S6K1 in the duodenum was higher in 1.37TM than in 2.57TM (P < 0.05), and the expression of mTOR, S6K1 in the jejunum and ileum increased with increasing leucine level form 1.37 to 2.17%, whereas a significant difference occurred between 1.37TM and 2.17TM (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of leucine fails to enhance the growth performance of broilers. However, leucine can improve intestinal development by enhancing villus height and V:C ratio in the jejunum and ileum. Moreover, the expression of mTOR, S6K1 increased as the level of dietary leucine was elevated from 1.37 to 2.17%.

Effect of various fiber types and choice feeding of fiber on performance, gut development, humoral immunity, and fiber preference in broiler chicks

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of fibrous materials with one single diet or by choice feeding on performance, intestinal morphology, immunity, and fiber preference in broiler chicks. In experiment 1, 240-day-old chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to one of 4 treatments, comprising 5 replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments included: a basal diet (control) or 30 g/kg sugar beet pulp (SBP), 30 g/kg rice hull (RH), or 30 g/kg equal combination of them (SBP/RH) added to the basal diet. Results showed SBP and SBP/RH impaired daily weight gain (DWG) in the growing period compared with control (P < 0.05). Additionally, chickens that received SBP had deteriorated FCR across the entire rearing period (P < 0.05). In comparison to control and SBP, supplementing SBP/RH significantly increased antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus (NDV; P < 0.05) at 23 d of age. Furthermore, SBP reduced duodenal and ileal villus height compared with control at 21 d of age. In experiment 2, a total of 240 chicks were allotted to 4 experimental treatments of feeding: 1) control; or choice feeding between 2) control and SBP (C-SBP); 3) control and RH (C-RH); 4) control and SBP/RH (C- SBP/RH). Results indicated that chicks had a tendency to use separate sources of fiber. RH was consumed lower than C-SBP/RH and C-SBP in starter and growing periods, respectively (P < 0.05). Chickens choice fed RH and SBP/RH had greater daily feed intake than control across 14 to 28 d of age (P < 0.05). However, DWG reduced in all fiber fed birds (P < 0.05) and resulted in impaired FCR in broilers of the C-SBP group (P < 0.05). In addition, choice feeding of SBP/RH increased antibody titer against NDV as compared with control and SBP (P < 0.05). In conclusion, fiber inclusion in both experiments impaired growth performance but an equal combination of fiber improved immunity. In addition, broilers had a tendency to use separate sources of fiber.

Serum diamine oxidase activity as a predictor of gastrointestinal toxicity and malnutrition due to anticancer drugs

Objective evaluation of intestinal mucosal damage due to anticancer drugs is generally difficult. Serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity is reported to reflect the integrity and maturity of the small intestinal mucosa. Therefore, we investigated whether serum DAO activity is an indicator of gastrointestinal toxicity or nutritional status in patients receiving chemotherapy. We prospectively enrolled 20 patients with unresectable metastatic gastric cancer who received oral S-1 (80 mg/m(2) ) on days 1-14, and intravenous cisplatin (60 mg/m(2) ) and docetaxel (50 mg/m(2) ) on day 8 every 3 weeks. Serum DAO activity was measured by colorimetry. Gastrointestinal toxicity was evaluated by Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Endoscopic examination and biopsy of duodenal mucosa assessed mucosal damage. Malnutrition was evaluated by measuring serum total protein and albumin levels. Serum DAO activity decreased step-by-step significantly during anticancer drug treatment and recovered after drug holidays. In all 14 patients who experienced diarrhea, serum DAO activity significantly decreased prior to diarrhea onset. Percent decrease in DAO activity was significantly correlated with severity of diarrhea. Significant correlation was observed between percent decrease in DAO activity and percent decrease in duodenal villus height or surface area from baseline. There were also significant correlations between percent decrease in serum DAO activity at day 14 and percent decrease in serum total protein or albumin levels at day 21 from baseline. Serum DAO activity sensitively indicates gastrointestinal damage prior to symptom onset and can be a useful predictor of intestinal mucosal damage and nutritional status in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Early supplementation of starter pellets with alfalfa improves the performance of pre- and postweaning Hu lambs.

This study aims to determine the effects of alfalfa supplementation on the pre- and postweaning performance, rumen development, and feed transition in starter diet-fed lambs. Six of 66 male Hu lambs were slaughtered at the age of 10 d to serve as a control. The other 60 lambs were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments: milk replacer and starter pellets without (STA) or with free-choice chopped alfalfa (S-ALF). The animals were offered 300 g/d of the concentrate mixture and had free access to alfalfa after weaning at the end of wk 4 (age 38 d). The alfalfa inclusion in the S-ALF group tended to increase the starter intake before weaning, significantly increased the concentrate intake soon after weaning ( < 0.05), and increased the BW ( < 0.01) and ADG ( < 0.10) in pre- and postweaning lambs. The S-ALF group had heavier carcasses ( < 0.05), rumens ( < 0.05), reticula ( < 0.05), omasums ( < 0.10), abomasums ( < 0.05), and visceral organs ( < 0.10) than the STA lambs after weaning. Alfalfa supplementation increased ( < 0.05) the rumen papillae length and the ratio of the duodenal villus height to the crypt depth; it also decreased ( < 0.05) the concentration and molar proportion of propionate in wk 1 and 5. The STA lambs had higher ( < 0.01) blood concentrations of globulin and blood urea nitrogen and lower β-hydroxybutyrate after weaning. The STA group also had a higher incidence of feed plaque. From the above results, we infer that the free-choice addition of chopped alfalfa to starter diets is beneficial to rumen development, relieves weaning stress, and improves the performance of lambs.

Avaliação dos efeitos de 5-hidroxitriptofano em-hidroxibenzilhidrazine associados a Lactobacillus spp. na morfometria intestinal e imunomarcação de serotonina em frangos de corte desafiados com Salmonella Enteridis

Resumo As células enterocromafins são um dos componentes da mucosa intestinal que liberam serotonina para o lúmen, promovendo atividades secretórias e crescimento celular de vários tecidos, incluindo vilosidades intestinais. O presente estudo avaliou as influências do 5-hidroxitriptofano (5HTP) e do m-hidroxibenzilhidrazine (NSD1015), associados a Lactobacillus spp., sobre o peso corporal e o desenvolvimento das vilosidades intestinais na porção proximal do duodeno de frangos de corte desafiados com Salmonella Enteritidis. Verificou-se também se a presença de Lactobacillus spp. e Salmonella Enteritidis influenciaram a imunomarcação de serotonina no duodeno e, para isso, o estudo foi dividido em dois experimentos, com e sem desafio por S. Enteritidis. No Experimento 1, em aves sem desafio, os pesos corporais não diferiram significantemente (p&gt;0,05) e, no Experimento 2, aves com desafio, os tratamentos com o precursor isolado e associado a Lactobacillus spp. determinaram maior peso corporal das aves. Nos dois experimentos, as aves tratadas com 5HTP apresentaram aumento na densidade e altura das vilosidades no duodeno, sugerindo a atuação de 5HTP como um agente trófico. A administração de Lactobacillus spp. também determinou altura maior de vilosidades duodenais. Quanto a imunomarcação de serotonina, as aves tratadas com Lactobacillus spp. no Experimento 1 e as aves tratadas com Lactobacillus spp. e desafiadas com S. Enteritidis no Experimento 2, apresentaram valores superiores aos demais tratamentos, sugerindo que a presença destas bactérias promove maior liberação de serotonina para o duodeno, porém o mecanismo exato de como este processo ocorre necessita ser mais elucidado.