Jejunal Villus Research Articles

Effects of Dietary β-Mannanase Supplementation on Growth Performance, Apparent Total Tract Digestibility, Intestinal Integrity, and Immune Responses in Weaning Pigs.

Simple SummaryMany plant-based feedstuffs contain non-digestible factors, such as β-mannans, that may reduce growth performance, as well as energy and nutrient digestibility. However, weaning pigs lack enzymes—such as β-mannanase—necessary to more completely digest β-mannan. Therefore, this experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, intestinal integrity and the immunological and oxidative stress parameters of weaning pigs. Our result suggested that adding β-mannanase to the weaning pigs’ diet increased the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of ether extract, jejunum villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and lowered crypt depth compared with those fed the no-β-mannanase diet. This study indicated that the inclusion of β-mannanase showed the potential to improve fat digestibility, intestinal development and gut health of weaning pigs.The experiment aimed to investigate the effects of dietary β-mannanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, intestinal integrity, and the immunological and oxidative stress parameters in weaning pigs. A total of 64 newly weaning pigs (initial body weight: 6.96 ± 0.70 kg) were allotted to two dietary treatments in eight replicates per treatment with four pigs per pen based on body weight and sex. Dietary treatments were 1.) CON (control: corn-soybean meal based basal diet) and 2.) β-mannanase (basal diet +0.06% β-mannanase). The β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, concentrations of acute phase protein, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. However, the pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet had greater ATTD of ether extract, jejunum villus height, and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, and lower crypt depth compared with those fed the CON diet (p < 0.05). The pigs fed the β-mannanase-supplemented diet tended to have the lower count of E. coli in cecum than those fed the CON diet (p = 0.08). In conclusion, dietary β-mannanase supplementation did not affect growth performance, immune response and oxidative stress of weaning pigs, whereas it increased fat digestibility and had positive effects on intestinal integrity and cecum microflora by reducing the count of E.coli.

IDISCO Allows Complete Visualization and Analysis of Postnatal Enteric Nervous System Development in a Comparative Pig Model

The enteric nervous system consists of a dense, complex network of neurons and glia which are instrumental in the maturation of normal intestinal physiology after birth. Our lab uses a comparative pig model to study the postnatal development of the enteric glial network and its role in regulating intestinal barrier functions in neonates. Immunolabeling‐enabled three‐dimensional (3D) imaging of solvent‐cleared organs (iDISCO) is a method of preparing tissue samples for volume imaging with a light sheet microscope. iDISCO has been optimized for use in primarily mouse organs and embryos for the study of early development and offers a more complete picture of the tissue than traditional histological analysis. Our objective was to optimize the iDISCO protocol for use in porcine intestinal tissue to allow complete qualitative and quantitative analysis of postnatal development of the enteric glial network in our comparative pig model. Antibodies against glial cell markers S100b, Sox10, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to triple‐stain fixed full‐thickness 3mm by 5mm samples of porcine jejunum using the iDISCO protocol. Samples were imaged with a light‐sheet microscope (Ultra‐II, LaVision BioTec®) using three different fluorescent channels and datasets were visualized and analyzed in 3D with Imaris software (Oxford Instruments®). The percent volume of GFAP+ glial cells was quantified by manually masking individual intestinal villi and optimizing a surface algorithm to identify glial network structures within those villi. Antibodies against all three markers tested produced the predicted staining pattern with minimal non‐specific staining. Percent of jejunal villus volume occupied by GFAP+ glia is higher in 6‐week‐old versus 2‐week‐old pig (0.49% versus 0.23%, *P≤0.05). Ongoing work will optimize quantification techniques for S100b and Sox10, and assess co‐localization patterns of these glial markers in the jejunum at discrete timepoints postnatally. iDISCO is a powerful imaging modality which will allow our lab to directly assess the expansion, complexity, and localization of glial cell subtypes by marker co‐expression analysis at discrete postnatal timepoints, and will be utilized in future studies to explore effects of disease and external interventions on the enteric glial network.Support or Funding InformationNIH P30 DK034987 UNC CGIBD Pilot Feasibility; NIH T32 5T32DK007737‐22 UNC Basic Science GI Research Training Fellowship; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Animal Health Projects 1007263 and 07985; 2017 NC State CMI TPP Seed Grant

Research Note: Comparative gastrointestinal, tibia, and plasma attributes in 48-day-old fast- and slow-growing broiler chicken strains

Emerging market differentiation for broiler meat from strains exhibiting a range of growth rates is necessitating comparative research on various physiological and production aspects of these strains. The objective of the present study was to compare select gastrointestinal, tibial, and plasma attributes in a sample of 48-day-old (50 male and 50 female) broilers obtained from fast-and slow-growing flocks maintained under similar feed and management regimens. Eight birds were randomly selected from a fast (B; representative of modern commercial strains) and each of the 4 slow-growing strains (SG; D, H, M, and E). The strains differed by estimated time to reach 2.2 kg bodyweight corresponding to 36, 50, 42, 44, and 50 D for B, D, H, M, and E, respectively. Blood samples were collected to determine plasma metabolites, and birds were subsequently euthanized, weighed, and necropsied for gizzard and small intestine weight, jejunal tissue for histomorphology, ceca digesta samples for concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and left tibia for ash content. Gizzard was heavier (P < 0.01) for D, H, and M than that for B and E, whereas the small intestine was lighter (P < 0.01) for B, D, and H than for M and E. There were no (P > 0.05) strain differences on SCFA, jejunal villus height and crypt depth, plasma proteins, and electrolytes. Strains D, H, and M exhibited higher (P = 0.01) tibia ash concentration than B; E was intermediate and not different (P > 0.05) from any strain. Specifically, the tibia ash for B, D, H, SG 3, and E were 1.24, 1.44, 1.43, 1.49, and 1.39 g/kg BW, respectively. The B birds showed higher (P < 0.01) plasma concentrations of aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine than SG strains. In conclusion, although B and some SG strains had lighter gastrointestinal tract indicative of energy efficiency, higher circulating plasma enzymes in B birds suggested impaired hepatic function. Moreover, lower tibia ash in B suggested disproportionate body mass relative to skeletal support.

Dietary corn resistant starch regulates intestinal morphology and barrier functions by activating the Notch signaling pathway of broilers.

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary corn resistant starch (RS) on the intestinal morphology and barrier functions of broilers.MethodsA total of 320 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments: one normal corn–soybean (NC) diet, one corn–soybean–based diet supplementation with 20% corn starch (CS), and 3 corn–soybean–based diets supplementation with 4%, 8%, and 12% corn resistant starch (RS) (identified as 4% RS, 8% RS, and 12% RS, respectively). Each group had eight replicates with eight broilers per replicate. After 21 days feeding, one bird with a body weight (BW) close to the average BW of their replicate was selected and slaughtered. The samples of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum digesta, and blood were collected.ResultsBirds fed 4% RS, 8% RS and 12% RS diets showed lower feed intake, BW gain, jejunal villus height (VH), duodenal crypt depth (CD), jejunal VH/CD ratio, duodenal goblet cell density as well as mucin1 mRNA expressions compared to the NC group, but showed higher concentrations of cecal acetic acid and butyric acid, percentage of jejunal proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells and delta like canonical Notch ligand 4 (Dll4), and hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 mRNA expressions. However, there were no differences on the plasma diamine oxidase activity and D-lactic acid concentration among all groups.ConclusionThese findings suggested that RS could suppress intestinal morphology and barrier functions by activating Notch pathway and inhibiting the development of goblet cells, resulting in decreased mucins and tight junction mRNA expression.

Effects of a Diet Supplemented with Exogenous Catalase from Penicillium notatum on Intestinal Development and Microbiota in Weaned Piglets.

This study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous catalase (CAT), an antioxidative enzyme from microbial cultures, on intestinal development and microbiota in weaned piglets. Seventy-two weaned piglets were allotted to two groups and fed a basal diet or a basal diet containing 2.0 g/kg exogenous CAT. Results showed that exogenous CAT increased (p < 0.05) jejunal villus height/crypt depth ratio and intestinal factors (diamine oxidase and transforming growth factor-α) concentration. Moreover, dietary CAT supplementation enhanced the antioxidative capacity, and decreased the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine in the jejunum mucosa. Exogenous CAT did not affect the concentration of short-chain fatty acids, but decreased the pH value in colonic digesta (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Dialister were increased (p < 0.05), while Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were decreased (p < 0.05) in colonic digesta by exogenous CAT. Accordingly, decreased (p < 0.05) predicted functions related to aerobic respiration were observed in the piglets fed the CAT diet. Our study suggests a synergic response of intestinal development and microbiota to the exogenous CAT, and provides support for the application of CAT purified from microbial cultures in the feed industry.

Supplemental chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles affect growth, serum metabolites and intestinal histology in broilers

The goal of the present research was to evaluate the effects of chromium-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (Cr-CNPs) on production performance, viscera development, serum metabolites and intestinal histology in broilers. Two hundred (200) day-old broilers were randomly divided into five groups with five replicates (n = 8). Birds in the first group served as control and were fed a corn soybean-based diet, while the remaining four supplemented groups were offered 200, 400, 800, and 1200 μg Cr-CNPs/kg of feed, respectively, for 35 days. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained unaffected with Cr-CNP supplementation. No changes were observed in the relative weights of viscera. The relative length of the small intestine was decreased in birds supplemented with 200 and 800 μg Cr-CNPs/kg compared with the 1200 μg Cr-CNP-supplemented group and control. Serum metabolites remained unaffected with Cr-CNP supplementation except for serum HDL, which was increased. Cr-CNPs decreased the retention of chromium in the bone at higher concentrations. Jejunal villus height, villus surface area, and villus height to crypt depth ratio were increased in the 800 μg Cr-CNP-supplemented group. In conclusion, Cr-CNPs did not affect growth performance, viscera development, and most of the serum metabolites, but enhanced jejunal morphological attributes at 800 μg Cr-CNPs/kg of feed.&#x0D; Keywords: blood biochemistry, health, nano-biotechnology, prebiotics, poultry, trace mineral

Effects of mushroom waster medium and stalk residues on the growth performance and oxidative status in broilers.

ObjectiveThe study developed mushroom stalk residues as feed additives in the broiler diet for improving the growth performance and immunity of broilers as well as to increase the value of mushroom stalk residues.MethodsIn total, 300 ROSS 308 broilers were randomly allocated into fifteen pens with five dietary treatments: i) control, basal diet; ii) CMWM, supplemented with 1% Cordyceps militaris waster medium (CM); iii) CMPE, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus eryngii stalk residue (PE); iv) CMPS, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Pleurotus sajor-caju stalk residue (PS); v) CMFV, supplemented with 0.5% CM+0.5% Fammulina velutipes stalk residue (FV).ResultsThe chemical analysis results showed that CM extracts, PE extracts, PS extracts, and FV extracts contain functional components such as polysaccharides and phenols and have both 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate scavenging and Ferrous scavenging capacities. The group CMWM saw increased body weight gain and feed conversion rate and the promotion of jejunum villus growth, but there is no significant difference in the intestinal bacteria phase. Antioxidant genes in the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant responsive element pathway among the groups are significantly higher than that of the control group, especially in group CMWM.ConclusionThe mushroom stalk residues have antioxidant functional components, can improve the intestinal health and body weight gain of chickens, and can activate the antioxidant pathway of Nrf2 to increase the heme oxygenase-1 expression. The treatment with 1% CM was the most promising as a feed additive.

Effect of Dietary Organic Acids and Humic Substance Supplementation on Performance, Immune Response and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the additive effects of a commercial feed supplementation blend (Ava Cid P)—consisting of humic substances, coated sodium butyrate, and a small acidifier portion—on the growth, immune response, and gut health of broiler chickens. A total of 540 female and 540 male broilers were raised from 1–49 d. On the first day, the animals were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 5 factorial design (2 sexes and 5 treatments) with 7 replications of 15 birds each. The 5 treatments were 1) birds did not receive Ava Cid P (control); 2) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d (AVA1–21); 3) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d and 0.45 kg/t from 22–35 d (AVA1–35); 4) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d and 0.45 kg/t from 22–42 d (AVA1–42); and 5) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d, 0.45 kg/t from 22–35 d, and 0.23 kg/t from 36–49 d (AVA1–49). ANOVA and Tukey's tests were applied to compare the means (P < 0.05) between treatments. The Ava Cid P showed no effect on male or female growth performance or goblet cell density. However, the supplement modified gut morphometry, and jejunum villi were 32% higher at 9 and 35 d in the AVA1–35 birds compared with those of the control group. The apparent villus surface and villus height increased by 87% and 46%, respectively, in the AVA1–49 birds compared with the AVA1–21 birds. The expression of mucin 2 (MUC2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were 1.6% and 0.9% lower in the AVA1–21 birds than in the control birds, but no effects were observed for interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-10. The Ava Cid P altered the mRNA expression of MUC2 and TNF-α and some characteristics of intestinal morphometry, but did not change the performance of broilers.

EFFECT OF PEPPERMINT SUPPLEMENTATION AS POWDER OR EXTRACT ON BROILER PERFORMANCE, SERUM BIOCHEMICAL CONTENT AND GUT HEALTH UNDER E COLI CHALLENGE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of different levels of peppermint (Mentha piperita) on broiler performance, jejunum morphology, organs percentage and serum biochemical content. A total of 576-day old ross 308 chickens was divided randomly into 12 treatments with 4 replicates pen per treatment and 12 birds each pen. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement of treatments was employed. Factors were challenge, - or +; control, antibiotic, 0.5 % peppermint in feed, 1% peppermint in feed, 0.5% peppermint in water and 1% peppermint in water. The result of study was showed that the peppermint supplementation was significant effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and it has effect on body weight at day 24 and 35. The peppermint supplementation either in feed and water at 24 day had a significant effect on jejunum muscle thickness and villus/ crypt ratio while not effect on villus height and crypt depth. In conclusion, supplementation of peppermint has positive effect on broiler performance and gut morphology.

Quercetin Protects Against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Intestinal Oxidative Stress in Broiler Chickens through Activation of Nrf2 Pathway.

We investigated the potential ability of quercetin to protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal oxidative stress in broiler chickens and the potential role of the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) signaling pathway. One-day-old broiler chickens (n = 240) were randomized into four groups: saline-challenged broiler chickens fed a basal diet (Con), LPS-challenged broiler chickens on a basal diet (LPS), and LPS-treated broiler chickens on a basal diet containing either 200 or 500 mg/kg of quercetin (Que200+LPS or Que500+LPS). Quercetin (200 mg/kg) significantly alleviated LPS-induced decreased duodenal, jejunal, and illeal villus height and increased the crypt depth in these regions. Quercetin significantly inhibited LPS-induced jejunal oxidative stress, including downregulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, and it upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. Quercetin relieved LPS-induced jejunal mitochondria damage and upregulated mitochondrial DNA copy number-related gene expression, including cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), ATP synthase F0 subunit 6 (ATP6), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1). Quercetin attenuated the LPS-induced inhibition of Nrf2 activation, translocation, and downstream gene expression, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD (P) H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1), and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2). Additionally, quercetin attenuated the LPS-inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Extracellular Regulated protein Kinases (ERK), and p38MAPK (p38) phosphorylation in the MAPK pathway. Thus, quercetin attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress in the intestines of broiler chickens via the MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Effects of grape seed extract on performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality in Pekin ducks

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, relative organ weight, jejunum morphology, ileal microflora, and meat quality in Pekin ducks. A total of 1,500 female 1-day-old Pekin ducklings (52.0 ± 0.2 g) were blocked based on body weight (BW) and randomly allocated into 3 treatments with 10 replicates of 50 birds each. The experiment lasted for 6 wk, and dietary treatments included corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with 0, 0.01, and 0.02% GSE. The supplementation of GSE increased (P < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG) and final BW linearly but decreased (P < 0.05) feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) linearly during day (D) 22 to 42 and the entire experiment. The inclusion of GSE increased (P < 0.05) serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidative capacity, catalase, complement4, immunoglobin G, interleukin-2, and interferon-γ linearly but decreased (P < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde linearly. The relative weight of carcass, breast meat, and spleen in GSE treatments was increased (P < 0.05) linearly, whereas the relative weight of abdominal fat was decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Birds fed GSE1 and GSE2 diets had lower (P < 0.05) cook loss, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and drip loss on day 3 and 5 linearly but higher (P < 0.05) pH24h and water-holding capacity. The addition of GSE decreased (P < 0.05) jejunum crypt depth and ileal Escherichia coli counts linearly but increased (P < 0.05) jejunum villus height: crypt depth ratio and ileal Lactobacilli linearly. Taken together, the inclusion of GSE increased final BW and BWG, decreased F/G during day 22 to 42 and day 1 to 42, partially improved antioxidant activities, immunity, meat quality, and gut health in Pekin ducks.

Novel Hydrophilic Camptothecin Derivatives Conjugated to Branched Glycerol Trimer Suppress Tumor Growth without Causing Diarrhea in Murine Xenograft Models of Human Lung Cancer

Camptothecin possesses broad antitumor spectra on various cancers. In spite of its marked tumor-suppressing potency, camptothecin is too hydrophobic to be solved in water and therefore not currently in clinical use. CPT-11 (irinotecan) is one of the hydrophilic analogues of camptothecin and widely prescribed. However, its water solubility is still low and furthermore evokes severe diarrhea. Therefore, we designed and synthesized novel highly hydrophilic camptothecin derivatives by conjugating SN38 with branched glycerol trimer (SN38-BGL), which we have been developing as a unique strategy to endow hydrophobic molecule with much hydrophilicity, to maximize the benefit of CPT-11 and minimize the adverse effects. The SN38-BGLs exhibited equivalent or slightly stronger tumor-suppressing effects in murine xenograft human lung cancer models compared to CPT-11. However, neither early- nor late-onset diarrhea was observed when SN38-BGL was administered. Heights of villi in jejunum and ileum were bigger than those from CPT-11-treated mice, indicating that SN38-BGL is less harmful than CPT-11. Ex vivo digestion by liver microsome did not yield SN38 but a couple of other molecules against our expectations, which suggests the involvement of other active metabolites than SN38 and may explain the differences. Hence, SN38-BGLs can be a novel hydrophilic camptothecin derivative without causing severe diarrhea.

Intestinal microbial ecology, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology of male broiler chickens fed low-phosphorus diets supplemented with phytase, butyric acid, or Saccharomyces boulardii

Six dietary treatments were applied in a 42-d study to determine the effect of phytase, butyric acid, and S. boulardii on productive performance, intestinal microflora, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed diets with reduced content of nonphytate P (nPP). On d 0, a total of 750 male broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 pens of 25 broiler chickens for each diet: positive control (PC, adequate amounts of nPP), negative control (NC, 0.1% reduction in dietary nPP content), NC + 500 FTU phytase/kg (PHY), NC + 2 g butyric acid/kg (BA), NC + 1 × 108 cfu S. boulardii /kg (SB), and NC + butyric acid + S. boulardii (BA + SB). Considering the entire study period, body weight gain in broiler chickens fed any of the diets were greater (P < 0.05) than in broiler chickens fed the NC diet, where the broiler chickens fed diets PHY and BA + SB had the greatest value. Broiler chickens fed diets PC, PHY, SB, and BA + SB had greater (P < 0.05) relative thymus weight, primary and secondary antibody response against infectious bronchitis virus vaccine, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity to phytohaemagglutinin-P, but lower (P < 0.05) mortality rate and blood corticosterone concentration than those fed the NC diet at d 42. Feeding diet BA + SB increased (P < 0.05) cecal Lactobacillus spp. counts (d 35) and jejunal villus high:crypt depth (d 42), but decreased (P < 0.05) cecal Clostridium spp. counts (d 35) compared with those fed the NC diet. On d 35, the PHY, BA, SB, and BA + SB treatments had also the lower (P < 0.05) population of E. coli and Clostridium spp. in the ileum. No diets affected feed intake, relative weights of abdominal fat and liver, the population of total anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., and Coliforms in both ileum and ceca, serum insulin concentration, and duodenal morphology. In conclusion, the combination of butyric acid and S. boulardii may have synergistic effects on improving productive performance, immune response, intestinal microflora, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed the low-nPP diet.

Astragalus polysaccharides alleviates LPS-induced inflammation via the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway.

Early weaning usually causes intestinal disorders, enteritis, and diarrhea in young animals and human infants. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) possesses anti-inflammatory activity. To study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of APS and its potential effects on intestinal health, we performed an RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) study in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) in vitro. In addition, LPS-stimulated BALB/c mice were used to study the effects of APS on intestinal inflammation in vivo. The results from the RNA-seq analysis show that there were 107, 756, and 5 differentially expressed genes in the control versus LPS, LPS versus LPS+APS, and control versus LPS+APS comparison groups, respectively. The results of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis indicated that the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways play significant roles in the regulation of inflammatory factors and chemokine expression by APS. Further verification of the above two pathways by using western blot and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the gene expression levels of the phosphorylated p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, and NF-κB p65 were inhibited by APS, while the expression of IκB-α protein was significantly increased (p < .05), indicating that APS inhibits the production of inflammatory factors and chemokines by the inhibition of activation of the MAPK and NF-κB inflammatory pathways induced by LPS stimulation. Animal experiments further demonstrated that prefeeding APS in BALB/c mice can alleviate the expression of the jejunal inflammatory factors interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-Iβ, and tumor necrosis factor-α induced by LPS stimulation and improve jejunal villus morphology.

Effects of feed removal on thermoregulation and intestinal morphology in pigs recovering from acute hyperthermia.

Feed consumption increases body temperature and may delay a return to euthermia and exacerbate intestinal injury following acute hyperthermia recovery in pigs. Therefore, the study objective was to evaluate the effects of feed removal on body temperature and intestinal morphology in pigs exposed to acute hyperthermia and then rapidly cooled. Twenty-four gilts (78.53 ± 5.46 kg) were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; n = 12 pigs; 21.21 ± 0.31 °C; 61.88 ± 6.93% RH) conditions for 6 h, or heat stress (HS; 38.51 ± 0.60 °C; 36.38 ± 3.40% RH) conditions for 3 h followed by a 3-h recovery period of rapid cooling (HSC;n = 12 pigs; TN conditions and cold water dousing). Within each recovery treatment, one-half of the pigs were provided feed ad libitum (AF; n = 6 pigs per recovery treatment) and one-half of the pigs were not provided feed (NF; n = 6 pigs per recovery treatment). Gastrointestinal (TGI), vaginal (TV), and skin (TSK) temperatures and respiration rate (RR) were recorded every 15 min. Pigs were video-recorded to assess feeding and drinking attempts. Immediately following the 6-h thermal stress period, pigs were euthanized, and intestinal samples were collected to assess morphology. During the HS period, Tv, TGI, TSK, and RR were increased (P < 0.01; 1.63, 2.05, 8.32 °C, and 88 breaths per min, respectively) in HSC vs. TN pigs, regardless of feeding treatment. Gastrointestinal temperature was greater (P = 0.03; 0.97 °C) in HSC + AF vs. HSC + NF pigs from 45 to 180 min of the recovery period. During the recovery period, feeding attempts were greater (P = 0.02; 195.38%) in AF vs. NF pigs. No drinking attempt differences were detected with any comparison (P > 0.05). A decrease (P < 0.01) in jejunum and ileum villus height (24.72% and 26.11%, respectively) and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (24.03% and 25.29%, respectively) was observed in HSC vs. TN pigs, regardless of feeding treatment. Ileum goblet cells were reduced (P = 0.01; 37.87%) in HSC vs. TN pigs, regardless of feeding treatment. In summary, TGI decreased more rapidly following acute hyperthermia when the feed was removed, and this may have implications toward using feed removal as a strategy to promote acute hyperthermia recovery in pigs.

Dietary vitamin A affects growth performance, intestinal development, and functions in weaned piglets by affecting intestinal stem cells.

Vitamin A (VA) is an important nutrient for weaning piglets. It plays a significant role in the normal formation, development, and maintenance of epithelial cells. Previous studies have shown that VA supplements could improve the host's intestinal barrier function. Therefore, we hypothesized that VA supplements can affect intestinal function in weaned piglets by regulating intestinal stem cells. Thirty-two 21-d-old weaned [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] piglets with an average weight of 8.34 ± 0.13 kg were randomly divided into 4 treatment groups, with 1) 2 mg/kg (control), 2) 4 mg/kg, 3) 8 mg/kg, and 4) 16 mg/kg doses of VA, respectively. The experiment lasted for 14 d. Weaned piglets were given ad libitum access to food and water during the test. The ADG (linear, P = 0.020) and G:F (linear, P = 0.005) of the piglets were found to increase significantly from days 8 to 14. The Lgr5+ gene expression (P = 0.012) in the jejunum mucosa of the 16 mg/kg VA group was increased. The jejunum villus height (P = 0.027) and villi surface area (P = 0.035) were significantly increased in the 4 mg/kg VA treatment group. The crypt depth increased significantly in the 4 and 8 mg/kg VA treatment groups (quadratic, P = 0.043), and the ratios of villus height to crypt depth significantly increased in the 16 mg/kg VA group (quadratic, P = 0.015). The maltase (P = 0.032), sucrose (P = 0.041), and alkaline phosphatase activity (linear, P = 0.024) were significantly increased when further supplemented with 4 mg/kg VA. Slc2a2 mRNA abundance was significantly increased in the 2 mg/kg VA group (linear, P = 0.024). Moreover, the budding rates, buddings number per organoid, and Chromogranin A and Muc2 expression of piglet intestinal organoids were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by VA and its metabolites (retinoic acid). Compared with the control group, the expression of Spp1 and Trop2 increased. These results indicated that VA may increase the stemness of intestinal stem cell in vitro. This study suggested that VA could affect growth performance and intestinal function by regulating intestinal stem cells in the jejunum of weaned piglets.

Dietary supplement of essential oil from oregano affects growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology and antioxidant ability in Pekin ducks.

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of oregano essential oil (EO) on growth performance, nutrients utilization, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier-related gene expression and antioxidant capability in meat ducks. A total of 360 1-day-old ducks were divided into three groups (12 replicates pens per diet of 10 ducks in each pen): negative control (no essential oil or antibiotic), positive control (antibiotic: 500mg/kg aureomycin of diet) and oregano EO (100mg/kg of diet). The experiment was carried out for 35days. Ducks were given feed and water ad libitum. Ducks fed EO supplement showed similar body weight and feed to gain ratio to antibiotic fed ducks. EO supplementation significantly increased (p<.05) feed intake (day 1-35), jejunal villus height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) ratio, serum superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and jejunal total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) of ducks compared to controls. Ducks fed diets supplemented with oregano EO also had decreased (p<.05) jejunal CD, serum and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and the mRNA expression of jejunal zonula occludens-3 (ZO-3) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) genes in comparison to the control group. Compared to the antibiotic supplementation group, the mRNA expression of claudin1 (CLND1) and CLND2 significantly increased (p<.05), but the mRNA expression of ZO-3 and mucin 2 markedly decreased (p<.05) in the jejunum of ducks in oregano EO supplementation group. These results suggest that oregano EO improves the antioxidant capacity and intestinal defence and structural measures and may aide in helping to maintain enteric health in production without growth-promoting antibiotics.

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Rapeseed with or without Macroalgae on Performance and Health of Piglets Following Omission of Medicinal Zinc from Weaner Diets.

Simple SummaryWeaning is the most stressful event in pig production and is often associated with reduced performance, diarrhoea and piglet mortality. Currently, a high dose of zinc oxide (ZnO) is used to prevent weaning-related loss in productivity. However, the feeding of ZnO in weaner piglets will be phased out by 2022 in Europe, leaving pig producers without options to manage post-weaning disorders. This study investigated whether fermented rapeseed meal (FRM) alone or in combination with one (FRMA) or more (FRMAS) brown macroalgae species could improve weaner piglet growth, intestinal development and health compared to either non-supplemented diets (negative control, NC) or diets supplemented with 2500 ppm ZnO (positive control, PC). Both FRM and FRMA resulted in a similar production performance to PC when fed to weaned piglets. The PC, FRM and FRMAS (gender-specific) improved jejunal villus development more than the NC. Colon mucosal development was stimulated, and signs of intestinal inflammation were reduced by FRM. The composition and diversity of colon microbiota were similar between all fermented feeds and PC, but different compared to NC. In conclusion, FRM was at least as effective as ZnO to improve piglet growth, intestinal development and health.The feeding of medicinal zinc oxide (ZnO) to weaner piglets will be phased out after 2022 in Europe, leaving pig producers without options to manage post-weaning disorders. This study assessed whether rapeseed meal, fermented alone (FRM) or co-fermented with a single (Ascophylum nodosum; FRMA), or two (A. nodossum and Saccharina latissima; FRMAS) brown macroalagae species, could improve weaner piglet performance and stimulate intestinal development as well as maturation of gut microbiota in the absence of in-feed zinc. Weaned piglets (n = 1240) were fed, during 28–85 days of age, a basal diet with no additives (negative control; NC), 2500 ppm in-feed ZnO (positive control; PC), FRM, FRMA or FRMAS. Piglets fed FRM and FRMA had a similar or numerically improved, respectively, production performance compared to PC piglets. Jejunal villus development was stimulated over NC in PC, FRM and FRMAS (gender-specific). FRM enhanced colon mucosal development and reduced signs of intestinal inflammation. All fermented feeds and PC induced similar changes in the composition and diversity of colon microbiota compared to NC. In conclusion, piglet performance, intestinal development and health indicators were sustained or numerically improved when in-feed zinc was replaced by FRM.

Effects of dietary gallic acid on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, plasma antioxidant indices, and immune response in weaned piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary gallic acid (GA) at 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, intestinal morphology, plasma antioxidant indices, and immune response in weaned piglets. A total of 96 male weaned piglets (25 ± 1 days of age) with an initial body weight of 8.40 kg were allocated into 6 replicated pens (4 piglets per pen) for each of the 4 experimental treatments. On day 21, 24 piglets (1 piglet/pen) received an intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. The blood samples were collected before (0 h) and 4 h after LPS challenge, and the piglets were slaughtered 4 h postchallenge to collect small intestinal samples. Dietary GA supplementation did not affect the growth performance of piglets (P > 0.05), but reduced diarrhea incidence was observed in piglets administered 400 mg/kg dietary GA compared with piglets fed a control diet (P < 0.01). In the jejunum, dietary GA at 100–400 mg/kg increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.01), while dietary GA at 200 and 400 mg/kg reduced crypt depth (P < 0.01), and dietary GA at 100 mg/kg increased jejunum villus height (P < 0.01). In the ileum, dietary GA at 100 mg/kg increased the V:C ratio (P = 0.029). LPS injection reduced the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and increased the production of malondialdehyde (P = 0.054) and the contents of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-8 (P < 0.01) in the plasma of piglets. However, there was no effect of diet on plasma antioxidant and immune indices (P > 0.05). Dietary GA linearly increased ileal secretory IgA content (P = 0.053). Moreover, dietary GA supplementation showed a linear effect on the expression TNF-α (P < 0.01); supplementation of 400 mg/kg GA significantly downregulated the expression of TNF-α in the ileal mucosa (P < 0.01). The trend analysis showed a linear effect of dietary GA supplementation on the ileal expression of IL-6 (P = 0.063), NF-κB1 (P = 0.045), and RelA (P = 0.062). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with GA in the basal diet contained 3000 mg ZnO /kg attenuated postweaning diarrhea and protected intestinal integrity, which may be attributed to the modulation of the intestinal local immune response by GA. Our results have implications for developing new strategies to enhance gut health and to decrease diarrhea in weaned piglets.

Morphological Features of the Digestive Tube in Sand Lizards, Lacerta agilis (Sauria, Lacertidae)

The features of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) digestive tube morphology are presented in the article. It has been found that the sand lizard gastrointestinal tract includes oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and cloaca. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is lined with non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. The esophagus is represented by an extensible canal; the distinction between the esophagus and the stomach is not expressed. The availability of a large number of ventricular fossae have stipulated a large area of the gastric mucosa and its cellular structure. The stomach is separated from the duodenum by a well-developed annular fold (pylorus). Villi of the duodenal mucosa are narrow, of different heights, covered with a single layer of columnar epithelium. The jejunum villi are of a more elongated shape, with more goblet cells and fewer crypts, the ileum villi are short. Small clumps of lymphoid cells are observed in the mucous membrane of the small intestine. The mucous membrane of the large intestine is lined with ordinary columnar epithelium containing goblet cells. Lymphoid aggregates are found in the wall of the large intestine. The cecum, as a distinct morphological section of the large intestine, is not presented.