Ileal Contents Research Articles

Influence of Expander Conditioning Prior to Pelleting on Pellet Quality, Broiler Digestibility and Performance at Constant Amino Acids Composition while Decreasing AMEN.

Physical pellet quality and AMEN concentration are strongly related to each other in broiler feeding. A study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between dietary AMEN concentration and feed processing on pellet quality, nutrient digestibility, broiler performance, serum markers, and yield of commercial cuts. Six diets were formulated. The first diet had the recommended AMEN concentration, each further diet was calculated with 40 kcal/kg less, from 0 to -200 kcal/kg, resulting in six levels for each feed phase: starter (1-14 d), grower (15-28 d), and finisher (29-35 d). These diets were processed with and without expander conditioning prior to pelleting, using an average corn particle size of 1.6 mm, ground with a roller mill. A total of 1008 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were placed in a 6 × 2 (6 energy levels and 2 conditionings) factorial trial with six boxes as replications, with three in each broiler performance trial period. Excreta were collected 2 days before the end of each feed phase for apparent total tract digestibility measurement. On day 36, four broilers from each replication (pen) were weighed and then euthanized for blood collection, following which the gastrointestinal organs were weighed, and the ileal and gizzard contents were collected. On day 37, all remaining broilers were slaughtered after fasting to measure commercial cuts and abdominal fat. The results show that the pellet durability index (PDI) was most affected by energy reducing and expander conditioning prior to pelleting, and it was better when diets had energy reduced by 40 to 200 kcal/kg (p > 0.001), as when expander conditioning was used. Digestibility of nutrients was slightly affected by treatments, as was the broiler performance; however, feed efficiency was improved in broiler-fed diets without AMEN reduction and when an expander was used, with p = 0.050 and p = 0.031, respectively. No effects were observed on the weight of gastrointestinal tract organs and serum markers, except for liver (p = 0.037) and α-amylase (p = 0.047). The lowest liver weight and lowest serum protein, cholesterol, triglyceride, gamma-glutamyl, and lipase concentrations were obtained when diets were formulated without energy reduction (Ross-0). There was no effect on commercial cuts relative to live weight at slaughter. The energy reduction was well reflected in the proportion of abdominal fat, which decreased when AMEN was reduced (p = 0.001). The present study shows it is possible to use diets with up to 200 kcal/kg reduction in AMEN without losses in performance, and the use of expander conditioning prior to pelleting promotes higher pellet quality and broiler feed efficiency.

Laying performance, egg quality, fertility, nutrient digestibility, digestive enzymes activity, gut microbiota, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity, mucosal immunity, and cytokine levels in meat-type Japanese quail breeders fed different phytogenic levels

A total of 180 female Japanese quail breeders were allocated to 5 treatments with 6 replicates of 6 birds and fed a diet supplemented with 0, 125, 250, 500, or 1000 mg/kg of a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) in a 9-wk experiment. Egg weight, feed efficiency, shell breaking strength and calcium content, specific gravity, Haugh unit, and percentages of fertile eggs increased with increasing PFA levels (P < 0.05). Increasing of PFA levels increased nutrient digestibility, dietary AMEn, and activities of digestive enzymes in the pancreas and intestinal digesta (P < 0.05). Supplementation of PFA reduced Escherichia coli (P < 0.05), Clostridium spp. (P < 0.05) and Salmonella spp. counts (P < 0.05), while increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. counts in the ileal and cecal contents (P < 0.05). Dietary PFA increased jejunal villus height and decreased ileal crypt depth (P < 0.05). Serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactate level were decreased with increase in PFA level (P < 0.05). Increasing PFA levels increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the pancreas, small intestine, and cecal tonsil, but decreased malondialdehyde contents (P < 0.05). Birds fed PFA exhibited increased levels of secretory IgA in the intestinal mucosa (P < 0.05), and increased the percentage of CD3+ T cells, ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells, and cytokine concentrations in the cecal tonsils (P < 0.05). In conclusion, PFA could improve gut health and nutrient utilization and, therefore, benefit productivity, egg quality, and fertility in quails.

Dietary Supplementation with Epicatechin Improves Intestinal Barrier Integrity in Mice

Epicatechin (EPI) is a dietary flavonoid that is present in many foods and possesses various bioactivities. We assessed the effects of EPI supplementation on intestinal barrier integrity in mice. Thirty-six mice were assigned to three groups and fed a standard diet or a standard diet supplemented with 50 or 100 mg EPI/kg (n = 12 per group). After 21 days of rearing, blood and intestinal samples were collected from eight randomly selected mice. Supplementation with 50 and 100 mg/kg EPI decreased (p < 0.05) the serum diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid concentration and increased (p < 0.05) the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal abundance of tight junction proteins, such as occludin. Moreover, it lowered (p < 0.05) the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tumor necrosis factor-α contents and enhanced (p < 0.05) the duodenal and jejunal catalase activities and ileal superoxide dismutase activity. Supplementation with a lower dose (50 mg/kg) decreased (p < 0.05) the ileal interleukin-1β content, whereas supplementation with a higher dose (100 mg/kg) increased (p < 0.05) the duodenal and jejunal glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, supplementation with 50 and 100 mg/kg EPI decreased (p < 0.05) cell apoptosis, cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (caspase-3), and cleaved caspase-9 contents in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In conclusion, EPI could improve intestinal barrier integrity in mice, thereby suppressing intestinal inflammation and oxidative stress and reducing cell apoptosis.

Phytase dose-dependent response of kidney inositol phosphate levels in poultry.

Phytases, enzymes that degrade phytate present in feedstuffs, are widely added to the diets of monogastric animals. Many studies have correlated phytase addition with improved animal productivity and a subset of these have sought to correlate animal performance with phytase-mediated generation of inositol phosphates in different parts of the gastro-intestinal tract or with release of inositol or of phosphate, the absorbable products of phytate degradation. Remarkably, the effect of dietary phytase on tissue inositol phosphates has not been studied. The objective of this study was to determine effect of phytase supplementation on liver and kidney myo-inositol and myo-inositol phosphates in broiler chickens. For this, methods were developed to measure inositol phosphates in chicken tissues. The study comprised wheat/soy-based diets containing one of three levels of phytase (0, 500 and 6,000 FTU/kg of modified E. coli 6-phytase). Diets were provided to broilers for 21 D and on day 21 digesta were collected from the gizzard and ileum. Liver and kidney tissue were harvested. Myo-inositol and inositol phosphates were measured in diet, digesta, liver and kidney. Gizzard and ileal content inositol was increased progressively, and total inositol phosphates reduced progressively, by phytase supplementation. The predominant higher inositol phosphates detected in tissues, D-and/or L-Ins(3,4,5,6)P4 and Ins(1,3,4,5,6)P5, differed from those (D-and/or L-Ins(1,2,3,4)P4, D-and/or L-Ins(1,2,5,6)P4, Ins(1,2,3,4,6)P5, D-and/or L-Ins(1,2,3,4,5)P5 and D-and/or L-Ins(1,2,4,5,6)P5) generated from phytate (InsP6) degradation by E. coli 6-phytase or endogenous feed phytase, suggesting tissue inositol phosphates are not the result of direct absorption. Kidney inositol phosphates were reduced progressively by phytase supplementation. These data suggest that tissue inositol phosphate concentrations can be influenced by dietary phytase inclusion rate and that such effects are tissue specific, though the consequences for physiology of such changes have yet to be elucidated.

Effects of limestone solubility on the efficacy of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant to improve mineral digestibility, retention, and bone ash in young broilers fed low-calcium diets containing no added inorganic phosphate.

This study evaluated the effect of limestone solubility on the capacity of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) to improve phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) digestibility, retention, and utilization in low-Ca broiler diets containing no added inorganic phosphate (Pi). Male Ross 308 broilers (n = 1,152) were fed one of 16 experimental diets from 11 to 21 d of age in a randomized complete design (12 birds/cage, 6 cages/treatment). Diets comprised three positive controls (PC3, PC2, and PC1) containing 1.8, 1.2, or 0.6 g/kg MCP-P and 7.7, 7.0, or 6.2 g/kg Ca, respectively, and a negative control (NC) containing no added Pi (4.4 g/kg P; 2.8 g/kg phytate-P) and 5.5 g/kg Ca from either low or high solubility limestone (LSL or HSL, respectively, [with 42% and 97% solubility after 5 min at pH 3.0]), supplemented with 0, 250, 500, 1,000, or 2,000 FTU/kg of PhyG. Fecal samples collected on days 18 to 20 and ileal digesta collected on day 21 were analyzed for titanium dioxide, Ca, P, and phytate (IP6, inositol hexakisphosphate). Tibias (day 21) were analyzed for ash content. Data were analyzed by factorial analysis (2 limestone solubilities × 4 MCP-P levels and 2 limestone solubilities × 5 phytase dose levels) and exponential regression. Increasing dose levels of PhyG resulted in an exponential increase (P < 0.01) in the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of P, ileal digestible P content of the diet, ileal IP6 content, and IP6 disappearance in birds fed either HSL or LSL diets, but AID Ca and ileal digestible Ca were exponentially increased by the phytase only in HSL diets (P < 0.01). Relative to HSL, the LSL increased AID P, ileal digestible P, and IP6 disappearance (P < 0.05) but reduced AID Ca, ileal digestible Ca, and retainable Ca (P < 0.05), resulting in reduced retainable P and tibia ash. Phytase exponentially increased the apparent total tract digestibility of P, retainable P, and tibia ash in HSL and LSL diets, but at or above 500 FTU/kg values were higher in HSL than LSL (interaction P < 0.05). The findings highlight that phytase dose-response effects on mineral digestibility and utilization are different for high- and low-solubility limestones, and it is therefore recommended to use digestible rather than total Ca content during diet formulation to ensure an optimal balance of Ca and P, especially in low-Ca diets. In diets containing HSL, higher phytase dose levels may be needed to compensate for the low digestible P content of the basal diet.

Ileal and cecal microbiota response to Salmonella Typhimurium challenge in conventional and slow-growing broilers.

Despite the negative impacts of Salmonella intestinal colonization on human health, Salmonella is a natural colonizer of the gastrointestinal tract and is not overtly pathogenic to the avian host. It is of interest to understand the impacts and colonization rates of Salmonella across selected genetic lines such as slow-growing (SG) and conventional (CONV) broilers. The objective of this study was to characterize the relationship between Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium challenge and selected broiler genetic lines on the ileal and cecal microbiome. Male chicks of two broiler breeds (n = 156/breed) were cohoused in an open floor pen until day 7. On day 13, the chicks were then separated into 12 isolators per breed (4 rooms, 6 isolators/room, 11 chicks/isolator). On day 14, chicks in the 12 treatment isolators (6 isolators/breed, 108 total) were challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) (1 × CFU/ml) via oral gavage while the remaining chicks (n = 108) were given an oral gavage of sterile tryptic soy broth control (C). Ileal and cecal contents were collected on day 7 from 24 chicks of each breed, and on days 13, 17, 21, and 24 from two chicks per isolator. Samples underwent DNA extraction and PCR amplification to obtain 16S rRNA amplicons that were sequenced with Illumina MiSeq. Salmonella Typhimurium colonization in the cecum was not different in the two broiler breeds. The main effect of breed had the greatest impact on the ileum microbiota of broilers 7 days of age where SG broilers had significantly lower diversity and richness compared to CONV broilers (p < 0.05). Salmonella Typhimurium challenge consistently caused a change in beta diversity. Regardless of day or intestinal location, challenged broilers had many amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with decreased abundance of likely beneficial bacteria such as Mollicutes RF39, Shuttleworthia, Flavonifractor, and Oscillibacter compared to broilers that were unchallenged with Salmonella Typhimurium (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a difference in the timing of when the microbiota alpha and beta diversity of each breed responded to Salmonella Typhimurium challenge. Thus, both broiler breed and Salmonella Typhimurium can impact the intestinal microbiota.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of isopropoxy benzene guanidine against Clostridium perfringens in an intestinal infection model.

This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of isopropoxy benzene guanidine (IBG) against C. perfringens based on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) modeling in broilers. The PK parameters of IBG in the plasma and ileal content of C. perfringens-infected broilers following oral administration at 2, 30, and 60 mg/kg body weight were investigated. in vivo PD studies were conducted over oral administration ranging from 2 to 60 mg/kg and repeated every 12 h for 3 days. The inhibitory Imax model was used for PK/PD modeling. Results showed that the MIC of IBG against C. perfringens was 0.5–32 mg/L. After oral administration of IBG, the peak concentration (Cmax), maximum concentration time (Tmax), and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) in ileal content of broilers were 10.97–1,036.64 mg/L, 2.39–4.27 h, and 38.31–4,266.77 mg·h/L, respectively. After integrating the PK and PD data, the AUC0 − 24h/MIC ratios needed for the bacteriostasis, bactericidal activity, and bacterial eradication were 4.00, 240.74, and 476.98 h, respectively. For dosage calculation, a dosage regimen of 12.98 mg/kg repeated every 12 h for 3 days was be therapeutically effective in broilers against C. perfringens with MIC ≤ 2 mg/L. In addition, IBG showed potent activity against C. perfringens, which may be responsible for cell membrane destruction. These results can facilitate the evaluation of the use of IBG in the treatment of intestinal diseases in broilers caused by C. perfringens.

Mixed Solid-State Fermentation of Okara and Copra Meal by Probiotics with Non-Starch Polysaccharide Enzymes and Its Effects on the Growth Performance and Ileal Microbiota in Broilers

With the global shortage of feed ingredients, the use of agricultural by-products has become an alternative to animal feed. Okara, a by-product of soymilk and tofu processing, is high in nutrients but contains non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and has a high-water content, which are disadvantages in animal feed. Herein, we mixed okara and copra meal (CM) with probiotics (Lactobacillus species and Clostridium butyricum) and NSP enzymes (NSPases) for solid-state fermentation (SSF) to enhance okara feed value; the optimal parameters of fermented okara and CM (FOCM) and their effects on broiler growth performance and ileal microbiota were investigated. The result showed that FOCM in combination with NSPases and probiotics at 55% of the initial moisture content and 60 h fermentation time at 37 °C were able to degrade NSP and reduce sugar content. After fermentation, the total viable counts, lactic acid, and butyric acid contents in the FOCM were 8.6 log CFU/g, 3.7%, and 17.15%, respectively. During the fifth week of the feeding period and over the whole feeding period, broilers fed with 1.25% and 2.5% FOCM had a better feed conversion ratio (p &lt; 0.05); both groups increased the duodenal villus length (p &lt; 0.05). Further microbiome analysis suggested that FOCM significantly increased the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes and reduced the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella in the ileal content (p &lt; 0.05). Collectively, supplementation of probiotics and enzymes during SSF was found to be effective in enhancing the nutritional value of FOCM. Moreover, dietary supplementation of FOCM improved the broiler feed conversion ratio, gut morphology, and ileal microbiota.

Influence of the energy concentration and the standardized ileal digestible lysine content of the diet on performance and egg quality of brown-egg laying hens from 18 to 41 weeks of age

The influence of the energy and the standardized ileal digestible lysine (DLys) content of the diet on egg production and egg quality, was studied in brown-egg laying hens from 18 to 41 wk of age. The experimental design was completely randomized with 10 treatments organized as a 2 × 5 factorial with 2 energy concentrations (2,750 and 2,800 kcal AMEn/kg) and 5 levels of DLys (values varied from 0.66 to 0.78% and 0.67 to 0.79%, for the low and high energy diets, respectively). Each treatment was replicated 10 times (10 hens per replicate). The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with energy concentration and DLys content of the diets as main effects. In addition, the effects of the DLys on the variables studied were partitioned into its lineal and quadratic components. From 18 to 21 wk of age (pre-peak phase), diet composition had limited effects on egg production. From 22 to 41 wk of age (peak phase), however, an increase of 50 kcal AMEn/kg diet increased egg weight (P < 0.05) and tended to improve energy intake (P = 0.083) and feed conversion ratio (P = 0.074). An increase in DLys improved linearly (P < 0.001) egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion, and energy conversion ratio, and tended to increase BW gain (P = 0.074). Diet composition did not any affect egg quality trait except shell strength that increased linearly (P < 0.05) with increases in the DLys. Cumulatively (18–41 wk of age), egg weight increased (P < 0.05) as the energy and the DLys content of the diet increased. In summary, an increase in energy and DLys content of the diet had limited effects on egg production during the prepeak phase but improved egg production, feed conversion ratio, and BW gain during the peak phase. The data indicate that hens require at least 839 mg DLys/d to maximize egg production in the peak production phase.

Dietary Supplementation of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Improves Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Function in Weaned Piglets.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)VD3) and Vitamin D3 (VD3) supplemented in the diet of weaned piglets on their growth performance, bone quality, intestinal integrity, immune function and antioxidant capacity. A total of 192 weaned piglets were allocated into four groups and they were fed a control diet containing 2000 IU VD3 (negative control, NC), NC + 100 ppm colistin sulfate (positive control, PC), NC + 2000 IU VD3 (VD3) and NC + 2000 IU 25(OH)VD3 (25(OH)VD3). The results showed that 25(OH)VD3 improved the growth performance, bone quality and antioxidase activity of piglets compared with the other groups. Meanwhile, 25(OH)VD3 up-regulated ileal mRNA expressions of tight junction proteins and host defense peptides. The VD3 group had an increased intestinal sIgA content and mRNA expression of pBD-1 compared with the NC group. Both groups of VD3 and 25(OH)VD3 altered the microbial β-diversity compared with the NC group, and 25(OH)VD3 increased ileal concentrations of acetate and butyrate. In conclusion, our findings indicated that a regular dosage of 2000 IU VD3 in the weaned piglets’ diet did not achieve optimal antioxidant capacity and immune function. 25(OH)VD3 had better growth performance than VD3 at the same inclusion level, which is associated with the improved intestinal integrity and antioxidant capacity.

Bacillus subtilis programs the differentiation of intestinal secretory lineages to inhibit Salmonella infection.

The role of intestinal microbiota on fate determination of intestinal epithelial cells has not been extensively examined. In this study, we explore the effect of Bacillus subtilis on programmed intestinal epithelial differentiation. We find that B.subtilis stimulates the differentiation of intestinal secretory cells. Moreover, B.subtilis inhibits the Notch pathway to reduce the expression of hairy and enhancer of split 1, thereby shifting intestinal stem cell differentiation toward a secretory cell fate. Moreover, we demonstrate that the programming effect of B.subtilis on intestinal differentiation is Toll-like receptor 2 pathway dependent. B.subtilis is associated with increased numbers of Paneth and goblet cells in the intestine. This results in the production of antimicrobial peptides to protect the intestinal mucosal barrier against Salmonella typhimurium. This study demonstrates that B.subtilis contributes to the differentiation of secretory cells by affecting Notch pathway signaling to maintain the intestinal barrier.

Apparent digestibility of energy and nutrients and efficiency of microbial phytase is influenced by body weight of pigs.

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that regardless of pig body weight (BW), increasing dietary phytase results in increased phytate degradation and improved digestibility of minerals, amino acids (AA), and gross energy (GE). Eighteen pigs were equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a triplicated 6 × 3 Youden square design with six diets and three collection periods of 7 d, for a total of nine replicate pigs per diet. This design was repeated four times to simulate four production phases, and there was a 7-d resting period before each collection phase started (BW at start of collections: 29.3, 53.6, 85.1, and 114.4 kg for phases 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). Six corn-soybean meal diets were formulated by including 0, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 phytase units/kg feed (FTU). The six diets were used throughout the experiment. Samples of feces and ileal digesta were collected in each period. Results indicated that regardless of pig BW, increasing inclusion of phytase increased (quadratic; P < 0.05) apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and most AA, increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca, P, K, Mg (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05), and Na (linear; P < 0.05), but decreased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) AID and ATTD of GE. In all phases, ileal concentrations of inositol phosphate (IP) 6, IP5, IP4, and IP3 decreased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05), whereas ileal inositol increased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) with increasing dietary phytase. However, as pig BW increased, AID of GE, CP, and AA increased (linear, P < 0.05), and the AID of a few AA (Met, Phe, Thr, Trp, Ala, Asp, Gly, and Ser) also increased quadratically (P < 0.05). The ATTD of GE, K, and Mg increased (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05), but ATTD of Ca and Na (linear; P < 0.05) and of P (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) decreased as pig BW increased. Ileal IP6 and IP3 (linear and quadratic; P < 0.05) and ileal IP5 and IP4 (linear; P < 0.05) increased, whereas ileal inositol decreased (linear; P < 0.05) as pig BW increased. In conclusion, regardless of pig BW, increasing dietary phytase increased phytate degradation and inositol release in the small intestine, and consequently increased mineral and AA digestibility. Older pigs have reduced Ca, P, and Na digestibility, but increased K, Mg, AA, and GE digestibility compared with younger pigs. The efficiency of dietary phytase to degrade phytate appears to decrease as pigs get older.

Research Note: Formulating broiler diets using digestible calcium significantly improved growth performance but reduced apparent ileal digestibility of calcium and phosphorus

An experiment was conducted to compare the use of a total and digestible Ca formulation system in broilers from hatch to d 37 post-hatch. Ross 308 (n = 288) male broilers were obtained and allocated to one of 2 dietary treatments in floor pens. There were 18 birds per pen and 8 replicate pens per diet. One diet was formulated using ingredient and nutrient recommendations for total Ca and the second diet was formulated using ingredient and nutrient recommendations for standardized ileal digestible (SID) Ca. All diets were formulated to be nutrient adequate using a 2-phase feeding program and including 0.19% available P (avP) and 0.209% total Ca or 0.073% digestible Ca from 1,000 FYT/kg of phytase. On d 17 and 37, tibias and ileal contents were obtained. From hatch to d 37, birds fed diets formulated using digestible Ca gained (P < 0.05) more and were more efficient (P < 0.05) compared with birds fed diets formulated using total Ca. There was no impact of formulation system on tibia ash or minerals. Litter pH (P < 0.05) was greater and litter dry matter (P < 0.05) was lower in birds fed the diets formulated using digestible Ca compared with those fed diets formulated using total Ca. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of Ca (P < 0.05), AID of P (P < 0.05) and digestible P intake (P < 0.05) were lower in birds fed diets formulated using digestible Ca compared with those formulated using total Ca at d 17 or 37. However, apparent ileal digested Ca and digestible Ca intake were not different between the experimental diets on d 17 or 37. In conclusion, formulating diets using digestible Ca improved weight gain and feed conversion ratio, but reduced the AID of Ca and P compared with birds fed diets formulated using total Ca. These findings might be reflective of the higher total Ca concentration in the diets formulated using digestible Ca compared with those formulated using total Ca.

Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation alleviates liver and intestinal injury in parenteral nutrition-fed piglets.

Long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) causes PN-associated liver disease, for which therapeutic approaches are limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum CGMCC 1258 (LP) on liver and intestinal injury in PN-fed neonatal piglets. The piglets received PN with or without oral LP for 14 days. The levels of liver enzymes and inflammatory markers were measured using biochemical kits and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The bile acid (BA) profiles in the liver, serum, and intestinal contents were determined using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The composition of intestinal bacteria was analyzed with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. LP supplementation was associated with improved markers of liver disease, inflammation, and oxidative stress in PN-fed piglets. Moreover, markers of intestinal injury and inflammation were alleviated by LP in PN-fed piglets. Mechanistically, LP increased the abundance of Lactobacillus in ileal contents and stimulated FGF19 expression in ileal mucosa. Subsequently, it increased the expression of small heterodimer partner (SHP) and inhibited cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) expression in the liver. Additionally, LP altered the systemic composition and metabolism of BAs. LP alleviated liver and intestinal injury in PN-fed neonatal piglets by altering the composition of intestinal bacteria and BAs.

Standardized ileal digestible amino acids and digestible energy contents in two modified soy protein concentrates and soybean meal fed to growing pigs.

Six ileal-cannulated barrows (28.0 ± 1.3 kg initial BW) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with one additional period (n = 7 or 6) to determine standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA and digestible energy of two modified soy protein concentrates [MSPC1 and MSPC2] and soybean meal (SBM). Pigs were fed one of three cornstarch-based diets with either MSPC1 or MSPC2 or SBM as the sole source of AA at a rate of 2.8 times the estimated maintenance energy requirement. In each period, pigs were adapted to diets for 7 d followed by 2 d of fecal collection and subsequently, 2 d of continuous ileal digesta collection for 8 h. The SID of AA was calculated using basal endogenous losses from a previous study for pigs fed a nitrogen-free diet. The digestible energy of the ingredients was calculated according to the difference method using a nitrogen-free diet that contained the same cornstarch:sucrose:oil ratio as the three test diets. The total Lys content was 33% and 38% greater for MSPC1 vs. MSPC2 and SBM, respectively. The SID of crude protein was greater for MSPC1 (96.9%) than for SBM (91.3%; P < 0.05), whereas an intermediate value was observed for MSPC2 (94.3% ± 1.2%). The SID of Ile (93.8%), Leu (93.6%), Lys (93.9%), Phe (96.7%), and Val (93.2%) were not different between MSPC1 and MSPC2 but greater than for SBM (88.8% ± 1.3%, 87.8% ± 1.2%, 84.5% ± 1.7%, 92.9% ± 1.0%, 86.5% ± 1.7% for Ile, Leu, Lys, Phe, and Val, respectively; P < 0.05). The SID of His and Thr was greater for MSPC1 than MSPC2 and SBM (P < 0.05), which were not different. The SID of Met was greater for MSPC1 and SBM vs. MSPC2 (P < 0.05). The SID of Arg was greater for MSPC1 than MSPC2 and SBM (P < 0.05), and greater for MSPC2 than SBM (P < 0.05). The digestible energy was greater for MSPC1 (4,677 kcal/kg) than MSPC2 and SBM (average; 3,896 ± 239 kcal/kg; P < 0.05), which were not different. Therefore, the MSPC1 was a better source of SID Lys and digestible energy than either MSPC2 or SBM and could be used as a highly digestible protein ingredient in swine rations.

Heat Stress Alters the Effect of Eimeria maxima Infection on Ileal Amino Acids Digestibility and Transporters Expression in Meat-Type Chickens.

Simple SummaryHeat stress (HS) and Eimeria (E.) maxima infection are the most common physical and pathological stressors in chicken houses, and both affect intestinal digestibility and absorption leading to reduction in growth, morbidity, and mortality, causing massive economic losses. This study identifies the impact of each stressor and their combined effects on apparent amino acid digestibility and molecular transporters expression in the ileum of broiler chicken. Heat-stressed chickens showed no change in amino acids digestibility, despite the reduction in feed intake. Combining HS and E. maxima infection modulated the reduction in amino acids digestibility observed in the infected chickens. The expression of the ileal amino acid transporters was severely impacted by E. maxima infection but not by HS. Interestingly, the infected group reared under HS exhibited significantly higher expression levels in all the enterocytic apical and about half of the basolateral amino acid transporters than the infected birds raised in thermoneutral environment. Thus, HS putatively curtailed the maldigestion effects of E. maxima.Eimeria (E.) maxima invades the midgut of chickens and destroys the intestinal mucosa, impacting nutrient digestibility and absorption. Heat stress (HS) commonly affects the broiler chicken and contributes to inflammation and oxidative stress. We examined the independent and combined effects of HS and E. maxima infection on apparent amino acid ileal digestibility (AID) and mRNA expression of amino acid transporters in broiler chickens (Ross 708). There were four treatment groups: thermoneutral-control (TNc) and infected (TNi), heat-stress control (HSc) and infected (HSi), six replicates of 10 birds/treatment. Ileal content and tissue were sampled at 6 d post infection to determine AID and transporters expression. Surprisingly, the HSi chickens exposed to two critical stressors exhibited normal AID. Only the TNi group displayed reduction in AID. Using TNc as control, the HSc group showed upregulated CAT1, LAT4, TAT1, SNAT1, and SNAT7. The HSi group showed upregulated CAT1 and LAT1, and downregulated b0,+AT, rBAT, SNAT1, and SNAT2. The TNi group showed upregulated CAT1, LAT1, and SNAT1 and downregulated B0AT1, b0,+AT, rBAT, LAT4, and TAT1. The expression of all enterocytic-apical and about half of the basolateral transporters was higher in the HSi group than in the TNi group, indicating that HS can putatively alleviate the E. maxima adverse effect on ileal digestion and absorption.

Heat stress modulates the disruptive effects of Eimeria maxima infection on the ileum nutrient digestibility, molecular transporters, and tissue morphology in meat-type chickens.

Eimeria (E.) maxima is one of the most pathogenic Eimeria spp persistently invading the middle jejunum and ileum, damaging the intestinal mucosa of chickens. Heat stress (HS) is a common stressor and equally contributes to inflammation and oxidative stress. We investigated the effect of E. maxima infection and HS on ileal digestibility, mRNA expression of nutrient transporters, and ileal tissue morphology in broiler chickens. There were four treatment groups: thermoneutral control (TNc), thermoneutral infected (TNi), heat stress control (HSc), and heat stress infected (HSi), 6 replicates each of 10 birds per treatment. Chickens were fed a diet containing 0.2% TiO2. At 6-day-post infection, ileal content and tissue were collected to quantify ileal digestibility of crude protein and fat, mRNA levels of nutrient transporters and histopathology. Growth and feed intake were reduced in all treatment groups, compared with the TNc. Contrary to expectation, the combination of two major stressors (E. maxima and HS) in the TNi group exhibited almost normal digestibility while only the TNi birds expressed severe digestibility depression, compared with the TNc group. The TNi group showed the lowest mRNA expression of the transporters: SGLT1, GLUT2-5-8-10-12, FABP1-2-6, and PEPT1 compared with the other treatment groups. The expression of the absorptive enterocytes’ gene markers (ACSL5, IAP, and SGLT1) supported by the ileal tissue morphology indicated that the TNi group had the highest enterocytic destruction. The expression of oxidative genes (iNOS and CYBB) dramatically increased only in the TNi group compared with the other treatment groups. Our results showed that exposing broiler chickens to HS can mitigate the disruptive effect of E. maxima on the ileal digestibility and absorption by limiting the parasite-induced tissue injury and suppressing the enterocytic inducible oxidative damage.

Exposure to a Virtual Environment Induces Biological and Microbiota Changes in Onset-of-Lay Hens

Increasing demand for cage-free eggs arises from goals to provide hens with better welfare, particularly in terms of natural behavior. However, most laying hens are kept in conventional cages, and cage-free systems can present challenges, such as injuries, floor eggs, and bacterial infections. We proposed using virtual reality (VR) as a feasible means for combining the positive attributes of natural environments while mitigating health risks. To our knowledge, no animal study has provided evidence that VR can trigger biological changes to improve animal health and well-being nor whether VR can affect the gut microbiota. In this study, we used VR technology to simulate a natural environment in laying hen housing. Early-lay White Leghorn hens were placed in pens with (VR) or without (CON) video projections displaying free-range chickens interacting with indoor and outdoor environmental features over 5 days. Using in vitro blood bactericidal assays, VR hens exhibited higher resistance against avian pathogenic Escherichia coli versus CON (p &amp;lt; 0.05), which was positively associated with corticosterone levels (p &amp;lt; 0.01). Analyzing intestinal neurochemicals via ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography, salsolinol was the only neurochemical metabolite affected by VR, being greater in CON ileal content (p &amp;lt; 0.0001), in VR ileal mucus (p &amp;lt; 0.01), and in VR ceca tissue (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Using 16S rRNA sequencing and QIIME2 analyses, no differences in alpha nor beta diversity were determined between groups. Although several genera (Megamonas, Ruminococcus, Slackia) were reduced in VR hens versus CON, Mucispirillum schaedleri (member of Deferribacteres Phylum) was the only taxon increased in VR hens, being elevated in ileal mucus (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Lastly, using the QIIME2 plugin mmvec to map microbe-metabolite co-occurrences, we identified several positive relationships between bacterial phyla and neurochemical metabolites, notably finding dopamine and salsolinol levels were related to Deferribacteres and Tenericutes levels. In conclusion, we found that several biological parameters were influenced by VR treatment in hens, suggesting that VR can be used to improve host resistance to pathogens and gut health in poultry.

Encapsulated Tributyrin With Gamma-Cyclodextrin Modulated the Gut Microbiota Composition in a DSS-Challenge Piglet Model

ObjectivesButyrate, a volatile fatty acid (VFA) produced by gut bacteria, regulates gut barrier function and immune response. However, the incorporation of butyrate into foods is challenging. Tributyrin (TB), a triglyceride with 3 butyrate molecules, represents an alternative to butyrate. Herein, the effects of encapsulated TB with gamma-cyclodextrin (ɣ-CD/TB) on gut microbiota composition and VFA concentrations were assessed in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis piglets. MethodsTwo-day-old piglets (n = 59) were randomized to three diets: control (CON) [Advance Baby Pig Liqui-Wean], CD [CON + 9.0 mM ɣ-CD], or CDTB [CON + 9.0 mM ɣ-CD/TB]. Half of the piglets in each group received DSS (1.25 g/kg body weight) from postnatal day (PND) 14 to 18. Ileal (IL), ascending colon (AC) and rectal (RC) contents were collected at PND 27. Microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and VFA were measured by gas chromatography. ResultsPermutational multivariate analysis of variance showed diet affected the beta diversity in IL (P = 0.045) with CON differing from CD or CDTB. Relative abundances of ileal Weissellaand Actinobacillus were higher and Turicibacter were lower in CON than CD or CDTB piglets (P < 0.05). While diet did not affect overall bacterial composition in AC and RC, it impacted proportions of some bacterial genera. Bacteroides was lower, Holdemanella and Ruminococcus were higher in AC of CON than CDTB. Rectal Bacteroides were lower and UCG-010 were higher in CON compared to CDTB (P < 0.05). Colitis influenced beta diversity in AC and RC (P = 0.002). Compared to piglets without colitis, proportions of 10 bacterial genera were lower and 6 were higher in AC, while 9 were lower and 11 were higher in RC of colitis piglets (P < 0.05). Diet impacted alpha diversity in IL and AC with observed features in IL, Shannon and evenness indices and phylogenetic diversity (Faith PD) in AC being higher in CON than CDTB (P < 0.05). Colitis increased Faith PD in RC (P = 0.004). For VFA, colitis decreased isobutyrate and isovalerate in IL and increased acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate in RC, regardless of diet. ConclusionsEncapsulated ɣ-CD/TB modulates the bacterial community along the piglet intestinal tract, while colitis influences both the microbiota composition and VFA concentrations. Funding SourcesNIFA.

Polyphenols Sourced from Ilex latifolia Thunb. Relieve Intestinal Injury via Modulating Ferroptosis in Weanling Piglets under Oxidative Stress.

Polyphenols sourced from Ilex latifolia Thunb. (PIT) contain high levels of phenolic acids, tannic acids, triterpenoids and so on, which play important roles in antioxidant function. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of PIT against intestinal injury in piglets under oxidative stress. Thirty-two weanling piglets were arranged by a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with diets (basal diet vs. PIT diet) and oxidative stress (saline vs. diquat). All piglets were injected with saline or diquat on d 21, respectively. After 7 days, all pigs were slaughtered and intestinal samples were collected. PIT enhanced jejunal villus heights and crypt depth in the piglets under oxidative stress. PIT increased the activities of intestinal mucosal lactase, sucrase and maltase in the challenged piglets. PIT also increased the jejunal ratio of protein to DNA and ileal protein content. PIT increased the jejunal activities of GSH-PX and GSH content and reduced the ileal MDA amounts. Furthermore, PIT regulated the expression of ferroptosis mediators, such as TFR1, HSPB1, SLC7A11 and GPX4. These results indicate that dietary PIT supplementation enhances the histological structure and function of the intestinal mucosa, which is involved in modulating antioxidant capacity and ferroptosis.