Development Of Gastrointestinal Tract Research Articles

Diferentes quantidades de ração pré-inicial para aves

O experimento teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho, peso relativo dos órgãos do trato gastrointestinal e morfometria do jejuno de frangos de corte aos 21 dias, alimentados com diferentes quantidades de ração pré-inicial. Foram utilizados 576 pintos de corte distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, contendo quatro tratamentos, que consistiram do fornecimento de diferentes quantidades de ração pré-inicial (100, 200, 300 e 400 gramas), com seis repetições. Ao término do consumo das respectivas quantidades de ração, as aves de cada unidade experimental passaram a receber uma ração inicial única, a base de milho e farelo de soja, até os 21 dias de idade. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e regressão polinomial ao nível de 5% de probabilidade. Houve efeito linear crescente (P

Influence of Levels of Dietary Fiber Sources on the Performance, Carcass Traits, Gastrointestinal Tract Development, Fecal Ammonia Nitrogen, and Intestinal Morphology of Broilers

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary fiber source levels on the fecal ammonia nitrogen, growth performance, carcass traits, gastrointestinal tract development, and intestinal morphology of broilers. A total of 420 one-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were individually weighed and randomly divided into 5 groups, each with seven replicates of twelve chicks. Rice hulls (RH) and soybean hulls (SH) were ground through a hammer mill with a 2-mm screen. The RH and SH experimental diets were as follows: 0% (control); 2.5% RH; 2.5% SH; 5% RH; and 5% SH. No significant differences were found in growth performance and fecal ammonia nitrogen among the dietary treatment groups (p>0.05). Compared with the control, the experimental diets with 2.5% SH significantly decreased the wing weight of chickens (p<0.05), while no significant differences in the weight of the other visceral organs were observed. Compared with the control, broilers in the 5% SH group had a longer jejunum and ileum (p<0.05). Feeding the broilers SH and RH had no effect on the villus area and crypt depth of the intestine. Compared with the control, the experimental diet with 2.5% RH significantly increased the duodenal villus height of chickens (p<0.05). These findings suggest that the inclusion of 5% SH in the diets resulted in improved intestinal morphology without negatively affecting growth performance and carcass traits.

The length of the feed restriction period affects eating behavior, growth performance, and the development of the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract of young broilers

We studied the effects of restricting the access to feed on the anticipatory eating behavior, growth performance, and the development of the proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in broilers. The experiment consisted in physical restriction of the access of broilers to feed for 0, 4, 6, or 8 h per day from 7 to 19 D of age. At 10, 13, 16, and 19 D of age, immediately before the start of the feed restriction (FR) period, 2 birds per cage were euthanized to evaluate crop and gizzard development. The experimental design was completely randomized, and the linear (L) and quadratic (Q) effects of fasting length on growth performance and GIT traits were determined. In addition, the effect of broiler age on GIT development was studied. From 7 to 19 D of age, ADFI (L, Q; P ≤ 0.05) and BW gain (L; P ≤ 0.01) decreased as the length of the FR period increased, with most of the differences observed with 6 or more hours of fasting. However, feed conversion ratio was not affected by FR length. The relative weight of the crop (% BW) and its fresh content increased (L; P ≤ 0.001) and the moisture of the digesta (%) decreased (L; P ≤ 0.001) as the FR period increased. The DM content (g) of the crop increased with FR, with most of the differences observed with 6 or more hours of fasting (L, Q; P ≤ 0.001). At 19 D of age, the Lactobacillus spp. count in the crop increased (L; P ≤ 0.05) with increase in the FR period. Fasting did not affect any gizzard trait at any age. In summary, physical restriction of the access to feed for 6 h or more reduced BW gain but did not affect feed conversion ratio in broilers from 7 to 19 D of age. Feed restriction for 4 to 8 h stimulated the anticipatory feeding behavior and crop development in broilers.

404 Awardee Talk - Healthy gut, healthy calf, productive life

Abstract The calf undergoes major transformations in early life that make it more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disease and disorders compared to all herd-mates. One of the most critical management factors in calf survival and health is feeding a sufficient amount of high-quality colostrum in order to improve passive transfer. However, further benefits to GIT function and health are now also being recognized. It has recently been shown that a delay in colostrum feeding of only six or twelve hours after birth can impact not only passive transfer but also the colonization of healthy bacteria (Bifidobacterium) in the small intestine of newborn calves. In addition, the heat treatment of colostrum has been shown to increase the colonization of Bifidobacterium and decrease the colonization of Escherichia coli in the small intestine of calves during the first 12 hours of life. New research is showcasing how the transition from colostrum to milk in the first days of life is critical to GIT development. For example, calves that transition directly to milk after the first meal of colostrum have less overall GIT mass and small intestinal villi development compared to calves fed transition milk or colostrum at three days of life. Based on these preliminary findings, there is a need to consider other bioactive components in colostrum and transition milk that impact GIT development in order to provide the calf with the best chance to combat GIT ailments later in life. With respect to the pre-weaning period of calf production, the amount of milk to be fed to calves has been a hot topic in the past decade, as it directly impacts pre-weaning average daily gain, which may be associated with lifetime production. Most dairy calves are only fed two meals per day and it is thought that increasing meal sizes may cause milk overflow into the rumen, resulting in digestive upsets and hyperglycemia. What recent research has shown however is that the GIT of the calf has a certain degree of plasticity and can adapt to large meal sizes (10% of birth bodyweight) in the first weeks of life by altering abomasal emptying as a means of controlling nutrient delivery to the intestine, thereby stabilizing blood metabolites such as glucose. In addition, new research investigating milk replacer composition, which is higher in lactose and lower in fat compared to whole milk, shows differences in abomasal function that may lead to a negative impact on insulin sensitivity. This research suggests that we have been underestimating how much milk calves can consume and how new milk replacer formulations may be impacting GIT health. An improved understanding of how diet, microbiota, and biomolecules interact to impact growth and barrier function of the calf’s GIT would greatly benefit the industry. A mechanistic understanding of such adaptations would also aid in the formulation of specific management regimens and the provision of diets that support or enhance gut function in young calves.

The potential for inoculating Lactobacillus animalis and Enterococcus faecium alone or in combination using commercial in ovo technology without negatively impacting hatch and post-hatch performance

The poultry industry has recently undergone transitions into antibiotic free production, and viable antibiotic alternatives, such as probiotics, are necessary. Through in ovo probiotic inoculation, beneficial microflora development in the gastrointestinal tract may occur prior to hatch without negatively impacting chick performance. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to observe the impacts of the injection of probiotic bacteria individually or combined into fertile broiler hatching eggs on hatch and live performance characteristics. A total of 2,080 fertile broiler hatching eggs were obtained from a commercial source. On day 18 of incubation, 4 in ovo injected treatments were applied: 1.) Marek's Disease (HVT) vaccination, 2.) L. animalis (∼106 cfu/50μl), 3.) E. faecium (∼106 cfu/50μl), and 4.) L. animalis + E. faecium (∼106 cfu & ∼106 cfu/50μl each). On day of hatch, hatchability and hatch residue data were recorded. A portion of male chicks from each treatment were placed in a grow-out facility for a 21 d grow-out (18 chicks/pen × 10 pens/treatment = 720 male chicks) with a corn and soy bean meal-based diet without antibiotics or antibiotic alternatives. Performance data and gastrointestinal samples were collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Results indicated no differences in all hatch parameters between treatments (P > 0.05) except for % pipped, where the L. animalis treatment had lower % pipped eggs compared to the HVT control and E. faecium treatments (P = 0.04). No differences were observed in body weight gain or mortality (P > 0.05). Probiotic treatments altered gastrointestinal tissue length, weight, and pH. This resulted in all in ovo injected probiotic treatments increasing feed conversion ratio (FCR) from days 7 to 14 as compared to the control (P = 0.01). Differences in FCR were not observed in any other week of data collection (days 0 to 7, 14 to 21, or 0 to 21; P > 0.05). Although probiotics altered live performance from days 7 to 14, these data suggest that in ovo inoculations of L. animalis and E. faecium in combination are viable probiotic administration practices that potentially improve hatch characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development.

Lyophilization of human amniotic fluid is feasible without affecting biological activity

Fetal swallowing of human amniotic fluid (hAF) containing trophic factors (TFs) promotes gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development. Preterm birth interrupts hAF swallowing, which may increase the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Postnatally, it is difficult to replicate fetal swallowing of hAF due to volume. We aimed to evaluate whether hAF lyophilization is feasible and its effect on hAF-borne TFs. We collected hAF (n = 16) from uncomplicated pregnancies. hAF was divided into three groups: unprocessed control (C), concentration by microfiltration (F), and by dialysis and lyophilization (L). EGF, HGF, GM-CSF, and TGF-α were measured in each group by multiplex assay. Bioavailability of TFs was measured by proliferation and LPS-induced IL-8 production by intestinal epithelial cells FHs74. After dialysis/lyophilization, GM-CSF and TGF-α were preserved with partial loss of EGF and HGF. hAF increased cell proliferation and reduced LPS-induced IL-8 production compared to medium alone. Compared to control, dialysis/lyophilization and filtration of hAF increased FHs74 cell proliferation (p < 0.001) and decreased LPS-induced IL-8 production (p < 0.01). Lyophilization and filtration of hAF is feasible with partial loss of TFs but maintains and even improves bioavailability of TFs measured by proliferation and LPS-induced IL-8 production by FHs74.

Effects of dietary calcium pyruvate on gastrointestinal tract development, intestinal health and growth performance of newly weaned piglets fed low-protein diets.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary calcium pyruvate supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets fed low-protein diets. After a 7-day adaptation period, 60 individually housed piglets (Duroc×Yorkshire-Landrace) weaned at 28days of age were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments (20 pigs/treatment) for 28days: control diet (20·0% crude protein [CP]), low-protein diet (15·5% CP), and experimental (15·5% CP+1·8% calcium pyruvate). At the end of the experiment, six piglets from each diet group were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected. Compared with the control group, feeding piglets with 15·5% CP decreased the daily body weight gain; lengths of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; and weights of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P<0·05), while 15·5% CP+1·8% calcium pyruvate supplementation removed those differences (P >0·05). Compared with the control group, the diarrhoea incidence and relative richness of Firmicutes in the colon contents of piglets in both the 15·5% CP and 15·5% CP+1·8% calcium pyruvate groups was decreased. The relative richness of Bacteriodetes in the colon contents of piglets was higher in the 15·5% CP+1·8% calcium pyruvate group than in the control and 15·5% CP groups (P<0·05). Calcium pyruvate supplementation for four weeks removed the negative effects of a low-protein diet on the gastrointestinal tract development and daily body weight gain of weaned piglets. This study showed that supplementing a low-protein diet with calcium pyruvate, an effective alternative metabolic fuel to amino acids, was beneficial in improving the intestinal health and maximizing the growth of newly weaned piglets.

Influence of egg weight and inclusion of oat hulls in the diet on digestive tract traits and growth performance of brown pullets reared under stress conditions

We studied the influence of pre-hatch egg weight (EW) and the inclusion of oat hulls (OH) in the diet on gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits and growth performance of pullets reared under stress conditions early in life. There were 14 treatments organized as a 7 × 2 factorial with 7 EW groups (47.0 to 54.0g differing in 1 g between groups) and 2 inclusion levels of OH in the diet (0vs. 3%). The pullets were reared under a series of stresses early in life (no access to feed for extended time post-hatching, reduced accessibility to feed and water at arrival to the farm, reduced ambient temperature at night, low light intensity, and hot-blade beak trimming at 18 D of age). Feed intake, BW gain, and FCR were measured by period (0 to 5, 5 to 10, and 10 to 16 wk of age) and cumulatively. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with EW and OH inclusion as main effects. In addition, EW effect was partitioned into linear and quadratic components. The stress conditions applied affected similarly the growth and GIT development of the pullets, independent of EW. An increase in EW increased BW at hatch and at 5 wk of age linearly (P < 0.05), but no effects were detected thereafter. Oat hulls inclusion increased ADFI and impaired FCR (P < 0.05) from 0 to 5 wk of age but did not affect energy efficiency at any age. At 5 wk of age, the relative weight (% BW) of the GIT decreased linearly (P < 0.05) with increases in EW and increased with OH inclusion (P < 0.05). Oat hulls inclusion increased the relative weight of the gizzard at all ages (P < 0.01). In conclusion, egg weight did not affect pullet growth from hatch to 16 wk of age. Independent of the initial BW of the pullets, OH inclusion improved gizzard development at all ages without affecting growth performance.

Effects of three major protein sources on performance, gut morphology and fermentation characteristics in broilers

ABSTRACT1. This study determined the effects of three protein sources (PS), each at two digestibility crude protein (DCP) levels, on performance, gut morphology and fermentation characteristics in the hindgut of broilers.2. It was hypothesised that broilers fed ingredients high in indigestible CP, i.e. rapeseed meal (RSM) or maize gluten (MG), could potentially cause reduced growth, impaired gut health, and more protein fermentation products in caecal digesta. Increasing the DCP level in each of the indigestible CP diets may compensate for these detrimental effects.3. In total, 288 one-d-old male Ross 308 broilers were used in a completely randomised 3 × 2 factorial design, with six replicate pens per treatment. Three PS: soybean meal (SBM), rapeseed meal (RSM) or maize gluten (MG), and two DCP levels: 15.8 and 17.2% were used.4. Broilers fed SBM had increased feed intake and BWG and improved FCR compared with those fed RSM and MG diets. Broilers fed high DCP had better performance compared with those on low DCP. No significant effects of PS or DCP level were found on gastrointestinal tract development, caecal ammonia or volatile fatty acid concentrations.5. Broilers fed SBM had longer villi, smaller crypts and increased villus height to crypt depth ratio compared with those fed RSM and MG diets. Broilers fed RSM diet had a lower caecal pH, and had 16.5% and 14.9% more branched chain fatty acid contents in caecal digesta compared with those fed SBM and MG diets, respectively, indicating more proteolytic fermentation.6. Replacing SBM by RSM and MG negatively affected growth performance and gut morphology. Hindgut protein fermentation was substantially increased in RSM fed birds.7. To a certain extent, retarded growth performance in RSM and MG fed birds could be counterbalanced by increasing the dietary level of digestible CP.

Dietary fibre enrichment of supplemental feed modulates the development of the intestinal tract in suckling piglets

BackgroundCommercial pre-weaning diets are formulated to be highly digestible and nutrient-dense and contain low levels of dietary fibre. In contrast, pigs in a natural setting are manipulating fibre-rich plant material from a young age. Moreover, dietary fibre affects gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development and health in older pigs. We hypothesised that supplemental diets that contain vegetal fibres are accelerating GIT development in suckling piglets in terms of size and functionality. From d 2 of life, sow-suckled piglets had access to a low fibre diet (CON), a diet with a fermentable long-chain arabinoxylan (lc-AXOS), a diet with a largely non-fermentable purified cellulose (CELL), or a diet containing both fibres. During the initial 2 weeks, the control diet was a high-density milk replacer, followed by a dry and highly digestible creep meal. Upon weaning at 25 d, 15 piglets from each treatment group, identified as eaters and originating from six or seven litters, were sacrificed for post-mortem examination of GIT morphology, small intestinal permeability and metabolic profile of the digesta. The microbiota composition of the mid-colon was evaluated in a sub-set of ten piglets.ResultsNo major statistical interactions between the fibre sources were observed. Piglets consumed the fibre-containing milk supplements and creep diets well. Stomach size and small intestinal permeability was not affected. Large intestinal fill was increased with lc-AXOS only, while relative large intestinal weight was increased with both fibre sources (P < 0.050). Also, CELL decreased ileal pH and tended to increase ileal DM content compared to CON (P < 0.050). Moreover, the concentration of volatile fatty acids was increased in the caecum (P < 0.100) and mid-colon (P < 0.050) by addition of CELL. lc-AXOS only stimulated caecal propionate (P < 0.050). The microbiota composition showed a high individual variation and limited dietary impact. Nonetheless, CELL induced minor shifts in specific genera, with notable reductions of Escherichia-Shigella.ConclusionsAdding dietary fibres to the supplemental diet of suckling piglets altered large intestinal morphology but not small intestinal permeability. Moreover, dietary fibre showed effects on fermentation and modest changes of microbial populations in the hindgut, with more prominent effects from the low-fermentable cellulose.

Influence of the particle size and form of feed on growth performance, digestive tract traits and nutrient digestibility of white egg-laying pullets from 1 to 112 D of age.

The influence of the grinding and physical form of diets on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development and nutrient digestibility was studied in layer pullets from hatch to 112 d of age. Diet formed a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 hammer mill screen sizes to grind cereals (4 and 8 mm) and 2 forms (mash and crumble). A total of 864 1-day-old layer chickens were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 treatment groups with 8 replicates (27 birds per replicate). Cumulatively, pullets fed crumbles consumed less feed (P < 0.05) and had better feed conversion ratio (FCR; P < 0.01) than those fed mash. Coarse grinding cereals (CG) improved FCR (P < 0.05) without significant change in cumulative feed consumption compared to that of fine grinding (FG). With regard to body weight gain (BWG), pullets benefited from crumbles from 1 to 56 d of age (P < 0.01). There were interactions (P < 0.05) between screen size and feed form in relation to FCR (1 to 28 d) and overall BWG. At 112 d of age, the relative weight (RW, g/100g body weight) of the crop, gizzard, pancreas, and liver of crumble-fed birds were lower (P < 0.05) than those for birds fed mash. Pullets fed coarsely ground feed had higher RW of the crop, proventriculus, gizzard, liver, and caecum compared to those fed finely ground feed. Compared to mash feeding, pullets fed crumbles increased (P < 0.05) total tract digestibility of ether extract and crude protein and the activities of pancreatic amylase and lipase. Digestibility of ether extract (P < 0.05) and pancreatic amylase activity (P < 0.01) were higher in birds fed a CG diet than in birds fed the FG regimen. Regarding the nutrition of egg-laying pullets, crumbles might be preferred to mash feed when the main objective is to improve FCR. Data also suggested that cereals used for pullet feed can be ground more coarsely than is in current practice.

193 Characterisation of poor gastrointestinal tract development in gilt progeny

Abstract Progeny of primiparous sows (gilts) have poor production performance compared to those of multiparous sows. This has been attributed to underlying biological events that occur early in life. We specifically focused on the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and its function in sow vs gilt progeny (SP vs GP) reared under commercial conditions. Piglet tissues were harvested at birth, at 24 h, and pre- and post-weaning (28 v 29 d) and used to quantify GIT integrity. All data were analysed using Genstat V18 for the effects of parity (sow vs gilt) in birth (0 vs 24 h) and weaning (pre- vs post) cohorts. GIT integrity was quantified from freshly excised tissue in Ussing chambers for transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and macromolecule permeability (FD4; labelled 4kD dextran). Permeability was measured in stomach, colon, jejunum and ileum. Over the 24-h neonatal period, TER was significantly reduced in the stomach and colon (P = 0.048 and 0.003 respectively) with GP having lower stomach TER than SP (P = 0.015). TER increased in the jejunum and ileum over the 24-h neonatal period (P = 0.004 and 0.002 respectively). An interactive effect of parity and time on ileum FD4 was observed (P = 0.043) where FD4 in SP ileum decreased over the 24-h neonatal period and FD4 in GP ileum increased over the 24-h period (P = 0.043). Jejunum FD4 was significantly higher in GP than SP over the 24-h neonatal period (P = 0.048). An interactive effect of parity and time was observed in the colon over the weaning period where TER increased in SP but decreased in GP (P = 0.005). Stomach TER decreased over the weaning period in both GP and SP (P = 0.013). Jejunum and ileum TER decreased over the weaning period (P = 0.003 and 0.057 respectively). Ileum FD4 was higher in GP than SP over the weaning period (P = 0.037). These findings reflect a reduction in GIT development in GP compared with SP, and gut leakiness may be an underlying reason for poorer production performance and increased morbidity of GP.

Review of Strategies to Promote Rumen Development in Calves.

Simple SummaryThe rumen is an important digestive organ that plays a key role in the growth, production performance and health of ruminants. Promoting rumen development has always been a key target of calf nutrition. Current research reveals that an early feeding regime and nutrition have effects on rumen development and the establishment of rumen microbiota. The effects may persist for a long time, and consequently, impact the lifetime productive performance and health of adult ruminants. The most sensitive window for rumen manipulation may exist in the postnatal and weaning period. Thus, the early feeding regime and nutrition of calves deserve further research. The establishment of the rumen bacterial community is a mysterious and complex process. The development of microbial 16S rDNA gene sequencing and metagenome analysis enables us to learn more about the establishment of rumen microbes and their interactions in host gastrointestinal (GI) tract development.Digestive tract development in calves presents a uniquely organized system. Specifically, as the rumen develops and becomes colonized by microorganisms, a calf physiologically transitions from a pseudo-monogastric animal to a functioning ruminant. Importantly, the development of rumen in calves can directly affect the intake of feed, nutrient digestibility and overall growth. Even minor changes in the early feeding regime and nutrition can drastically influence rumen development, resulting in long-term effects on growth, health, and milk yields in adult cattle. Rumen development in newborn calves is one of the most important and interesting areas of calf nutrition. This paper presents a comprehensive review of recent studies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract development in calves. Moreover, we also describe the effect of the environment in shaping the GI tract, including diet, feed additives and feeding management, as well as discuss the strategies to promote the physiological and microbiological development of rumen.

Effect of in ovo feeding of L-glutamine + ISP to chick embryos

In ovo feeding (IOF) is the biotechnology that injects nutrients into the amnion of the avian embryo may cause an increase in hatchability and gastrointestinal development, and affecting the serum metabolism. This hypothesis was evaluated using 5 IOF solutions containing L-glutamine and L-glutamine + ISP (Isolated Soy Protein). 300 fertile eggs Rhode Island Red (breeders with 43-weeks) were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design with the treatments constituted by two controls (intact egg and IOF control with saline solution) and three solutions containing L-glutamine and L-glutamine + ISP, with 60 replicates (eggs) each. Data collected were subjected to the Tukey test at 5% of significance. There was a significantly lower (p&lt;0.01) in hatchability from the IOF of L-glutamine + ISP, and a consequent increase in the intermediary embryo mortality. The yolk sac was higher (p&lt;0.01) in chicks subjected to solutions containing 0.5% L-glutamine and 0.5% L-glutamine + 1.0% ISP, whereas all in ovo embryos presented great (p&lt;0.05) development of heart and pancreas than intact eggs. In ovo fed embryos at 0.5% L-glutamine and 0.5% L-glutamine + 1.0% ISP presented great developed of gastrointestinal tract than intact eggs. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that 0.5% L-glutamine may be used to IOF in chick embryos without a negative influence on chick weight and gastrointestinal tract development, acting as a metabolism regulator and obtaining better hatchability.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Insoluble fiber sources in mash or pellets diets for young broilers. 2. Effects on gastrointestinal tract development and nutrient digestibility

The effects of feed form and dietary fiber on the development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and nutrient digestibility were studied in broilers at 8 and 21 d of age. The experiment included 14 treatments arranged as a 2 × 7 factorial with 2 feed forms (mash vs. pellet) and 7 diets that consisted in a low fiber diet and 6 extra diets resulting from the combination of 3 insoluble fiber sources [oat hulls (OH), rice hulls, and sunflower hulls] and 2 levels of inclusion (2.5 and 5.0%). Pelleting decreased the relative weight (% BW) of the full GIT, and empty gizzard (P < 0.001) and the relative length (cm/kg empty BW) of the small intestine and ceca (P < 0.001) and increased full crop (P < 0.001) and liver (P < 0.05) weights. Fiber inclusion increased the empty weight and the fresh digesta content of the gizzard (P < 0.001) but had limited and inconsistent effects on the weight of the full GIT or the length of the small intestine and ceca. Gizzard pH decreased with mash feeding and fiber inclusion (P < 0.001). Pelleting decreased ether extract retention (P < 0.05) but did not affect N retention or AMEn of the diets. Fiber inclusion improved nutrient retention (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) with more pronounced effects with OH than with sunflower hulls or rice hulls inclusion. The AMEn of the diets increased (P < 0.05) with 2.5% of fiber inclusion but no extra benefits were obtained with a further increase to 5.0%. Starch ileal digestibility increased with mash feeding (P < 0.001) and fiber supplementation (P < 0.05). In summary, pelleting increases full crop weight and gizzard pH and decreased full gizzard weight and starch ileal digestibility. Moderate amounts of insoluble fiber, especially OH, increases gizzard weight, reduces gizzard pH, and improves nutrient digestibility in young broilers.

330-LB: Using Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Organoids to Identify New Pathologies in Patients with PDX1 Mutations

Pancreas and gastrointestinal (GI) tract development is guided by several transcription factors, including Pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene-1 (PDX1). While it is well known that PDX1 is essential for pancreas development, its role in GI development and function in humans has not been investigated. We have identified two patients with a homozygous point mutation in PDX1 (c.188delC(p.P63fs)), causing total loss of protein function. These patients have additional GI complications however endoscopy and histological analysis of gastric and ?intestinal biopsies did not? reveal any pathologies. We used patient derived GI organoids from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as a novel diagnostic approach and identified a myriad of undiagnosed GI pathologies. Analyses of human antral gastric organoids (HAGO) using immunofluorescence staining demonstrated a loss of gastric marker? claudin18 (CLDN18) and increased intestinal villin expression in PDX1-null? organoids, signifying that regions of the antrum are converting to an intestinal?phenotype. Similarly, human intestinal organoids (HIO) demonstrated a loss of intestinal marker ?Cadherin17 and an increase in gastric marker? CLDN18, indicating that regions of the intestine are undergoing gastric metaplasia. We also observed an increase in parietal cells in HAGOs, a lack of gastrin hormone in HAGO, and an increase in mucin production in HIOs. Based on this data we re-analyzed antral and duodenal biopsies of both patients and confirmed gastric and intestinal metaplasia increased parietal cells, decreased gastrin and increased mucin production. Because of our findings, these patients will have additional screening to monitor for development of gastric and intestinal cancer. This clearly demonstrates the utility of organoids in improving patient diagnoses and developing new clinical treatment plans. Disclosure M. Krishnamurthy: None. T.R. Broda: None. X. Zhang: None. J.J. Palermo: None. I.H. Thomas: None. A. Heider: None. D.B. Steien: None. A. Dauber: Consultant; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. Research Support; Self; Novo Nordisk Inc. J. Wells: None. Funding American Diabetes Association (1-19-PDF-036 to M.K.)

In ovo injection of branched-chain amino acids: Embryonic development, hatchability and hatching quality of turkey poults.

In this study, the influence of a branched-chain amino acid blend (BCAA composed of 3 l-leucine:1 l-valine:2 l-isoleucine) injected into the amniotic fluid was evaluated for embryonic growth, yolk-sac (YS) utilization and development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and skeletal muscles of turkey embryos from day 24 of incubation (24E) to hatching, together with hatchability, poult quality and liver L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values at hatch. At day 22 of incubation, embryonated eggs (n=240) were assigned to three treatments, that is, eggs were not injected (control, NC) or injected with 1.5ml sterile solution with 0.9% salt (SA) or 0.2% BCAA blend (BCAAb). These solutions were injected manually into the amniotic fluid of the embryonated eggs. To determine weights and lengths (where appropriate) of the studied organs and tissues, four embryonated eggs and poults per treatment were selected at 24E and at hatch. While the BCAAb decreased the YS and embryo weight, hatchability and the liver L* value, it increased the weight and quality of poults and the weights of breast and thigh muscles at hatch. In conclusion, the in ovo feeding of the BCAA blend negatively affected hatchability but positively affected hatching weight and poult quality by improving development of skeletal muscles and by regulating energy metabolism.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Maternal high-fat diet exposure during gestation, lactation, or gestation and lactation differentially affects intestinal morphology and proteome of neonatal mice

Offspring nutrition depends on the mother during gestation and lactation; thus, maternal nutrition and metabolism can affect their development. We hypothesized that maternal exposure to high-fat (HF) diet affects neonate's gastrointestinal tract development. Our objective was to determine the effect of maternal HF diet during gestation and lactation on neonate's duodenum histomorphology and proteome. Female mice were fed either a control (C, 10% kcal fat) or an HF (60% kcal fat) diet for 4 weeks and bred. On postnatal day 2, half the pups were cross-fostered to dams fed on different diet, creating 4 treatments: C-C, C-HF, HF-C, and HF-HF, indicating maternal diet during gestation-lactation, respectively. On postnatal day 12, pups' duodenum was excised and prepared for histology and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis of proteome. Villi were significantly longer in HF-HF pups, and crypt cell proliferation rate was not different among treatments. Between C-C and HF-HF, HF-C, or C-HF, 812, 601, or 894 proteins were differentially expressed (Tukey adjusted P < .05), respectively. Functional analysis clustered proteins upregulated in HF-HF vs C-C in fat digestion and absorption, extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, immune response, oxidation-reduction processes, phagocytosis, and transport categories. Proteins downregulated were classified as RNA splicing, translation, protein folding, endocytosis, and transport. There was evidence for a carryover effect of exposure to HF diet during gestation to the postnatal period. Alterations in proteome relative to HF exposure potentially reflect long-term changes in the functioning of the duodenum.