Length Of Small Intestine Research Articles

Abstract 531: Sex Differences In The Metabolic Switch From Fasting To Refeeding In The Murine Jejunum

Introduction: The small intestine receives hormonal and neuronal stimuli to ensure sufficient nutrient absorption to fuel the body. Insulin resistance promotes aberrant dietary fat delivery into circulation, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms underlying the loss of controlled dietary fat delivery during metabolic disease are unclear. We aimed to characterize the metabolic pathways engaged in the small intestine in the transition from fasting to refeeding states in both male and female mice. Methods: Eight- to twelve-week-old male and female mice fasted for 24 hours. Half of the mice were euthanized in the fasted state, and the remaining half were euthanized after a 4-hour refeeding period (Teklad Global 19% Protein Extruded Diet). Gene expression and pathway analyses in jejunal samples were determined using Nanostring. Results: In male and female mice, refeeding significantly upregulated pathways in amino acid synthesis, mitochondrial respiration, and proto-oncogene Myc signalling compared to fasting. Refeeding significantly downregulated glycolysis, and both mitogen-activated MAPK and PI3K signalling pathways compared to fasting. Interestingly, in males refeeding significantly upregulated AMPK, mTOR, and autophagy, whereas conversely in female mice, refeeding downregulated these pathways. Surprisingly, fatty acid synthesis and fatty acid oxidation pathways were unchanged by the nutritional state in males, but in females, both pathways were significantly downregulated with refeeding compared to fasting. In female mice, refeeding significantly reduced small intestinal length compared to fasting, whereas intestinal length was unchanged in male mice. Conclusions: Metabolic pathways well-characterized in the liver are often mechanistically extrapolated to the gut. We have begun to uncover the jejunal gene expression changes regulated by nutrient availability in male and female mice. Identifying how high-fat feeding dysregulates these pathways will help further elucidate the mechanism underlying the over-production of intestinally-derived lipoproteins in metabolic disease.

Effects of Dietary Incorporation of Grape Stalks Untreated and Fungi-Treated in Growing Rabbits: A Preliminary Study.

Simple SummaryThe use of winery by-products as an animal feed ingredient in rabbit production can enhance the sustainability of this livestock sector by reducing feeding costs and simultaneously diminishing environmental problems related to the management of those by-products. White-rot fungi have been studied for the delignification of lignocellulosic materials due to their potential to decrease the content of lignin. In fact, white-rot fungi also improve the nutritional value due to the deposition of bioactive compounds, acting as a possible biological treatment to enhance the nutritive value of grape stalks. The objective of this work was to evaluate the incorporation of untreated grape stalks and fungi-treated grape stalks in rabbits’ diets.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the incorporation of untreated grape stalks (UGS) and fungi-treated grape stalks (Lentinula edodes, TGS) in rabbits’ diets. The control group was fed with a control diet without grape stalks (C), two experimental groups were fed on diets with 5% and 10% incorporation of UGS (5UGS and 10UGS), and two with 5% and 10% incorporation of TGS (5TGS and 10TGS). Rabbits fed with TGS diets showed higher daily weight gain (p = 0.034), feed conversion rate (p = 0.002), carcass weight (p = 0.038), and reference carcass weight (p = 0.03) when compared to the control diet. Moreover, animals fed with TGS diets showed an increase in the caecum (p = 0.015) and small intestine (p = 0.021) lengths and in the total volatile fatty acid content (p = 0.005) compared to animals fed UGS diets. Blood triglyceride levels were lower in animals fed with TGS diets compared to UGS (p = 0.005) and C (p ≤ 0.001) diets (12% and 19% lower, respectively), and a trend to lower cholesterol levels was observed (p = 0.071). Meat from rabbits fed with TGS diets had higher levels of linoleic acid, γ-linolenic, ∑ω-6, ∑PUFA, and ∑PUFA/∑SFA ratio compared to rabbits fed with the C diet. Results indicated that grape stalks (UGS and TGS) could be effectively used as an alternative raw material in rabbits’ diets without compromising animal performance.

Protective effect of the traditional Korean herbal prescription, Bojangunbi-tang, on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced small bowel injury

Background: Bojanggunbi-tang (BGT) is a well-known combination of ancient Korean herbal medicines and has been widely used for treating gastrointestinal symptoms. Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating whether BGT protects against non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced small intestinal injury (NSI), by using a murine model of indomethacin-induced NSI. Materials and Methods: NSI was induced in the mice by subcutaneous injections of 15 mg/kg indomethacin. BGT was administered at doses of 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg, while the positive control received sodium alginate. The treatments were orally administered twice, 30 min before and 6 h after the induction of NSI. The body weight, length of small intestine, macroscopic damages, and histological damages were assessed after 24 h of induction. Results: Gross anatomical analysis revealed that BGT inhibited the shortening of the small intestine and reduced the area of ulceration. Histological analysis revealed that BGT lowered the ulceration and inflammation scores. However, there was no difference between the groups with respect to weight loss. Conclusion: BGT ameliorated NSI via its anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcerative properties. The current study suggests that BGT could be a therapeutic option for NSI.

Age-dependent development in protein digestibility and intestinal morphology in weaned pigs fed different protein sources

Today, weaner diets are optimised using digestibility coefficients obtained from grower-finisher pigs, which may overestimate the digestibility in weaners. The aim of this study was to evaluate the standardised ileal digestibility (SID) of CP and amino acids (AAs), and the intestinal morphology in pigs 0–4 weeks postweaning when fed different protein sources. The experiment included 128 pigs weaned at day 28 and the protein sources were wheat, soybean meal (SBM), enzyme-treated soybean meal (ESBM), hydrothermally treated rapeseed meal (HRSM) and casein. The experiment was conducted as a difference method study including wheat in all diets. Eight pigs were slaughtered on the day of weaning (day 0) and six pigs/treatment were slaughtered at days 7, 14, 21, and 28 postweaning. The SID of CP and AA, as average over the four weeks, was lowest for ESBM and highest for wheat and casein, with SBM and HRSM being intermediate. The SID of CP and AA increased (both linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) over time after weaning. The average SID of CP for all protein sources postweaning was 0.38, 0.59, 0.76, and 0.71 on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, respectively. These differences were significant (P < 0.05) between days 7 and 21, and between days 7 and 28 (P < 0.05), whereas there tended to be a difference between days 7 and 14 (P = 0.06). Protein source did not affect the small intestinal morphology response parameters, whereas time after weaning did. Villous height and villous height to crypt depth ratio differed (P < 0.05) between the days 0 and 7, with shorter villi and a higher ratio at day 7. Crypt depth was not altered between days 0 and 7, or between days 7 and 14. For villi density, crypt density and small intestinal length, a significant increase from days 7 to 14 was observed, but there was no further increase to or difference between days 21 and 28. In conclusion, the low SID of CP in casein on day 7 (0.50) illustrates the challenges related to protein digestion in weanling pigs. The SID of CP and AA is very low during the first two weeks postweaning and time after weaning is more important for protein digestibility, than the source of protein. Fewer mature epithelial cells and less absorptive area in the small intestine in the early postweaning period may partly explain the poor protein digestibility.

Effect of Nanoencapsulated Alginate-Synbiotic on Gut Microflora Balance, Immunity, and Growth Performance of Growing Rabbits.

A synbiotic comprising Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast (SCY) and Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) has been encapsulated using nanotechnology. This duo is used as a dietary supplement for growing rabbits. Physicochemical analyses, in vitro antimicrobial activity, and gastrointestinal system evaluation were used to evaluate the quality of the nanofabricated synbiotic. The in vivo study was conducted using 40-day-old male growing rabbits (n = 16 rabbits/group) to evaluate the effect of the nanofabricated synbiotic on the health and growth performance of examined rabbits. Rabbits were equally allocated into four groups; (a) NCS, which received a basal diet supplemented with a noncapsulated 11 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.15 g MOLE/kg diet, (b) LCS: those receiving a nanoencapsulated 5.5 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.075 g MOLE/kg diet, (c) HCS: those receiving an 11 × 1012 CFU SCY + 0.15 g MOLE/kg diet, and (d) CON: those receiving a basal diet without treatment (control). The treatments continued from day 40 to day 89 of age. During the experimental period, growth performance variables, including body weight (BW), feed consumption, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded weekly. Blood samples were collected on day 40 of age and immediately before the start of the treatments to confirm the homogeneity of rabbits among groups. On day 89 of age, blood samples, intestinal, and cecal samples were individually collected from eight randomly selected rabbits. The size and polydispersity index of the nanofabricated synbiotic were 51.38 nm and 0.177, respectively. Results revealed that the encapsulation process significantly improved yeast survival through the gastrointestinal tract, specifically in stomach acidic conditions, and significantly increased in vitro inhibitory activities against tested pathogens. Furthermore, treatments had no negative effects on hematobiochemical variables but significantly improved levels of blood plasma, total protein, and insulin-like growth factor-l. Compared to the CON, NCS, and LCS treatments, the HCS treatment increased the amount of intestinal and cecal yeast cells (p < 0.05) and Lactobacillus bacteria (p < 0.05) and decreased number of Salmonella (p < 0.05) and Coliform (p = 0.08) bacteria. Likewise, both LCS and HCS significantly improved the small intestine and cecum lengths compared to CON and NCS. The HCS treatment also significantly improved BW gain and feed conversion compared to CON treatment, whereas the NCS and LCS treatments showed intermediate values. Conclusively, the nanoencapsulation process improved the biological efficiency of the innovative synbiotic used in this study. A high dose of encapsulated synbiotic balanced the gut microflora, resulting in the growth of rabbits during the fattening period.

Lactose Glycation of the Maillard-Type Impairs the Benefits of Caseinate Digest to the Weaned Rats for Intestinal Morphology and Serum Biochemistry.

The Maillard reaction between the lactose and milk proteins unavoidably occurs during the thermal treatment of milk. Although the impact of this reaction on protein nutrition and safety has been well-studied, whether a lactose glycation of milk proteins of the Maillard-type might affect the rats in their growth and intestinal morphology needs an investigation. In this study, caseinate and lactose-glycated caseinate were digested using pepsin and trypsin. Afterward, the resultant caseinate digest and glycated caseinate digest (lactose content of 13.5 g/kg of protein) at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW)/d were assessed for their effects on the female weaned Wistar rats in terms of daily body weight gain, intestinal morphology, digestive and brush-border enzyme activities, as well as serum chemical indices. The results showed that glycated caseinate digest always showed a weaker effect on rat than caseinate digest either at the 0–7 or 0–28 d feeding stage, and more importantly, at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg BW/d, it caused obvious adverse effect on the rats, reflected by lower values of these indices. Compared with caseinate digest, glycated caseinate digest in the rats caused 0.9–15.4% and 10.6–49.7% decreases in average daily gain of BW and small intestinal length, 1.1–21.5% and 2.3–33.3% decreases in villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth of the small intestine, or 0.3–57.6% and 0.2–55.7% decreases in digestive and critical brush-border enzyme activities, respectively. In addition, when the rats were fed with glycated caseinate digest, some serum indices related to oxidative stress status were enhanced dose-dependently. Lactose glycation of the Maillard-type is thus considered as a negative event of the Maillard reaction on milk proteins because this reaction might impair protein benefits to the body.

Assessment of visceral organ growth in pigs from birth through 150 kg.

Visceral organs (VO) are essential for their role in the metabolism and distribution of consumed nutrients as well as other life functions in animals. Two experiments were conducted to assess the natural longitudinal changes that the VO undergo from birth through 150 kg body weight (BW). In Experiment 1, a total of 96 crossbred pigs were euthanized at birth (pre-suckle), d 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 (weaning), 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 42, 49, and 63 of age. In Experiment 2, a total of 48 crossbred pigs were euthanized at 30, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 kg of BW. The absolute weight of VO, and the volume and length of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were measured. In both experiments, the absolute weight of VO, GIT length, and their volume increased (linear, quadratic, and/or cubic, P < 0.05) as BW and age increased. In Experiment 1, the relative weight of VO (liver, kidney, heart, and lung) decreased after initially increasing within the first week of life (linear, quadratic, and/or cubic, P < 0.05), whereas the relative weight of all VO decreased as BW increased in Experiment 2 (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05). The relative length of small intestine decreased and that of large intestine increased as age increased in Experiment 1 (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05), whereas the relative length of the small and large intestine in Experiment 2 were relatively constant at 80% and 20% of the total length of the intestine, respectively. As age and BW increased, the relative volume of the large intestine to the total volume of the GIT increased (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05), while the relative volume of the small intestine decreased (linear and/or quadratic, P < 0.05). In conclusion, results showed that both absolute and relative measurements (weight, volume, and length) of VO were dependent on the BW (age) of the pig.

The Effects of Probiotic from Hymenachne Acutigluma Silage in Feed to the Length of Small Intestine and Caeca in Pegagan Ducks

This study aims to determine the effect of giving probiotics from (hymenachne acutigluma) silage in feed to the length of smallintestine and caeca in Pegagan ducks. The object of this research is sixty 5 months Pegagan ducks. The research design used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications. There is 3 Pegagan ducks as a variable unit: P0 (Control); P1 (Ration + Probiotics with a dose 0,2%); P2 (Ration + Probiotics with a dose 0.4%); P3 (Ration + Probiotics with a dose 0.6%); P4 (Ration + Probiotics with a dose 0.8%). The observed variables were length of small intestine, length of duodenum, length of jejunum, length of ileum, and length of caeca. The results of this study indicate that administration of probiotics from (hymenachne acutigluma) silage in feed can increase the percentage of small intestine length and caeca. The conclusion of this research is the provision of probiotics from (Hymenachne acutigluma) silage with a dose 0.2% can increase the percentage of small intestine length and caeca in Pegagan ducks.

Mitochondrial transcription factor A in ROR\u03b3t+ lymphocytes regulate small intestine homeostasis and metabolism

RORγt+ lymphocytes, including interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing gamma delta T (γδT17) cells, T helper 17 (Th17) cells, and group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), are important immune regulators. Compared to Th17 cells and ILC3s, γδT17 cell metabolism and its role in tissue homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the tissue milieu shapes splenic and intestinal γδT17 cell gene signatures. Conditional deletion of mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) in RORγt+ lymphocytes significantly affects systemic γδT17 cell maintenance and reduces ILC3s without affecting Th17 cells in the gut. In vivo deletion of Tfam in RORγt+ lymphocytes, especially in γδT17 cells, results in small intestine tissue remodeling and increases small intestine length by enhancing the type 2 immune responses in mice. Moreover, these mice show dysregulation of the small intestine transcriptome and metabolism with less body weight but enhanced anti-helminth immunity. IL-22, a cytokine produced by RORγt+ lymphocytes inhibits IL-13-induced tuft cell differentiation in vitro, and suppresses the tuft cell-type 2 immune circuit and small intestine lengthening in vivo, highlighting its key role in gut tissue remodeling.

Blood biochemical parameters and organ development of brown layers fed reduced dietary protein levels in two rearing systems.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different levels of crude protein (CP) and two rearing systems (cage and floor), on blood parameters and digestive and reproductive organ development of brown laying hens.MethodsA total of 400 Hisex Brown laying hens between 30 and 45 weeks of age were distributed in a completely randomized design and a 2×4 factorial arrangement, with main effects including two rearing systems (cage and floor) and levels of CP (140, 150, 160, and 180 g/kg), in a total of eight treatments and five replicates of 10 birds each with initial body weight of 1,877 g (laying hen in cage) and 1,866 g (laying hens in floor). The parameters evaluated were plasma total protein, albumin, uric acid, total cholesterol, relative weights of oviduct, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, crest and dewlap, length of small intestine and oviduct.ResultsThe blood parameters were similar in birds reared in cage and floor systems. The birds reared on the floor showed greater small intestine and oviduct weight (%) and lower liver and pancreas weight (%). A significant interaction was observed between factors for the relative gizzard, crest and dewlap weight, serum protein, uric acid, and total cholesterol (p<0.05). The diets with 140 g/kg CP resulted in lower serum protein and lower cholesterol in birds reared in floor system, while birds reared in cage system showed no effect of CP on both parameters. Birds reared in cage and fed with 140 and 150 g/kg CP presented lower uric acid. The group of birds reared in floor system fed 180 g/kg had greater uric acid.ConclusionThe dietary protein level can be reduced up to 140 g/kg for Hisex Brown hens (30 to 45 weeks of age) without an important effect on metabolic profile and organ development in both rearing systems.

Length and weight of small intestine and digestion rate of quail, with the addition of beluntas leaf flour (Pluchea indica L.) to the ration

Beluntas (Pluchea indica L) contains several active alkaloid compounds, essential oils and flavonoids. The flavonoid content in Beluntas leaves can improve the digestive tract so that it can function optimally. This study aims to determine the effect of adding Beluntas leaf meal to the rations on the length of the small intestine, the weight of the small intestine and the rate of quail digestion. The study used a completely randomized design which consisted of 4 treatments, and 4 replications. The treatment consisted of P0 (rations without Beluntas leaf flour as control), P1 (rations + Beluntas leaf flour 1%), P2 (rations + Beluntas leaf flour 2%), and P3 (rations + Beluntas leaf flour 3%). The results showed that the treatment had a significant effect (P <0.05) on the length of the duodenum and ileum, jejunum and ileum weight digest, as well as the digest rate but there, was no significant effect (P>0.05) on the length of the jejunum and duodenal weight. Based on the results it can be concluded that the addition of beluntas leaf flour with level 2% improved duodenum and ileum, the weight of jejunum and ileum and made longer digest rate compared to other treatments.

Effect on encapsulated liquid smoke in combination with formic acid on intestinal development and microbial counts in broiler

This research aimed to evaluate the effect of a combination between encapsulated coconut shell liquid smoke and formic acid on intestinal development and microflora population in the broiler. This study was carried out with 140 day old chicks (DOC) of strain Cobb allotted to 5 treatments and 4 replications, namely T0= basal feed added without addition of antibiotic, T1= basal feed added with 0.1% zinc bacitracin, T2=basal feed + 0.5% liquid smoke + 0.5% formic acid, T3=basal feed + 1% liquid smoke+0.5% formic acid, and T4=basal feed + 1.5% liquid smoke+0.5% formic acid. The variable of this research consists of length and weight of small intestine, pH and viscosity of ileal, and the total population of microorganism. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). If the data analyses have a significant effect continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that there was no significant differences (P>0.05) effect of treatment on intestinal development and characteristics, but it significantly increased (P<0.01) Lactobacillus and decreased Salmonella sp population. It can be concluded that the combination of encapsulated coconut shell liquid smoke 1.5 % with 0.5% formic acid in the broiler diet did not affect small intestinal development and characteristics, however improved the population of lactobacillus and decrease Salmonella sp. Based on the results might suggest that the combination of encapsulated liquid smoke and formic acid could be replaced the use of antibiotics in broiler feed.

Effects of high-fat diet intake during perinatal period on reflex-ontogeny and intestinal morphometry of rat offspring

Reflex-ontogeny and intestinal morphometrics were evaluated in Wistar rats whose mothers were fed on a high-fat diet during the perinatal period. Male pups (n=52) formed four experimental groups: NN (pups from mothers with lab chow diet during gestation and lactation); NH (pups from mothers with lab chow diet during pregnancy and high-fat in lactation); HH (pups from mothers with high-fat diet during gestation and lactation); HN (pups from mothers with high-fat diet during pregnancy and lab chow in lactation). The reflex ontogeny, the maturation of physical characteristics and parameters of somatic growth were evaluated during lactation. In addition, the body mass index (BMI), the specific rate of weight gain (SRWG), the Lee index, the weight of the brain and intestinal parameters were analyzed after weaning. High-fat diet during pregnancy (HH and HN groups) delayed the maturation of reflexes and physical characteristics. The high-fat diet affected somatic growth differently, reducing somatic growth parameters in the groups NH and HH and increasing in the HN group. The highest SRWG was found in group HN. SRWG and BMI were reduced in the groups NH and HH. The relative intestinal weight was reduced in the groups NH, HH and HN. The relative length of small intestine was longer in group HN than in group NN. The total height of the mucosa and size of the villous were lower in group HH than in group NN. In conclusion, high-fat diet promoted negative consequences for the development of the nervous and enteric systems of the offspring.

The Effect of Replacement of a Partial Commercial Ran With Fermented Coconut Saves on Organ in Chicken Broiler (Gallus domesticus)

This study aims to determine the effect of giving fermented coconut dregs to the internal organs of broiler chickens. This research was conducted at Jln. Garuda Sapta Mulya Village, Rimbo Bujang Subdistrict, Tebo Regency for 40 days from 6 April - 8 May 2019. The design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications, where each unit contained 5 DOCs. Each ration treatment was A0 (100% commercial ration), A1 (5% fermented coconut dregs + 95% commercial ration), A2 (10% fermented coconut dregs + 90% commercial rations), A3 (15% fermented coconut dregs + 85% commercial rations) and A4 (20% fermented coconut dregs + 80% commercial rations). The parameters observed were percentage of liver weight, percentage of proventriculus weight, percentage of ventricular weight, and percentage of small intestine length. Using the DNMRT test if it had a significant effect on all observed parameters, the coconut dregs used in this study were up to 20 levels %. The results showed that the average percentage of liver weight was A0 (1.75), A1 (1.66), A2 (1.94), A3 (1.95), A4 (1.74). Mean percentage by weight of the proventriculus A0 (0.29), A1 (0.29), A2 (0.32), A3 (0.31), A4 (0.33). Average percentage by weight ventriculus A0 (1.05), A1 (1.15), A2 (1.13), A3 (1.23), A4 (1.37). Average percentage of small intestine length A0 (10.12), A1 (9.76), A2 (10.37), A3 (11.21), A4 (10.54). The effect of giving fermented coconut dregs to internal organs had a significant effect on the percentage of liver weight (P˂0.05) and the percentage of ventricular weight (P˂0.05). The provision of fermented coconut dregs did not significantly affect the percentage of proventriculus weight (P˃0.05) and the percentage of small intestine length (P˃0.05). The conclusion in this study is that the effect of fermented coconut dregs has a significant effect on the percentage of liver and ventricular weight but does not have a significant effect on proventriculus weight and small intestine length, fermented coconut dregs can still be used as a substitute for commercial rations up to 20%.

Interactive effect of corn particle size and insoluble fiber source on performance, nutrient utilization and intestine morphology in broilers fed pelleted diets.

The effects of corn particle size and dietary fibre on the performance, coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and intestinal characteristics in broiler starters fed pelleted diets were studied. The experiment included 10 treatments arranged as a 2×5 factorial with two corn particle sizes (GMD of 1071 [CGC] vs. 534 [FGC]) and five diets that consisted in a low-fibre diet and four extra diets resulting from the inclusion of insoluble fibre sources (10g/kg of lignocellulose (LC), and 30g/kg of oat hulls; OH, rice hulls; RH, and sunflower hulls; SFH). In coarse grinding, all-fibre sources improved body weight gain and feed intake compared to the control diet (p<0.01). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved with fibre supplementation (p<0.01) and fine grinding of corn (FGC) (p<0.01). Coarse grinding of corn (CGC) and inclusion of RH, SFH and OH reduced gizzard pH (p<0.01). Fibre inclusion increased ileal fat and Ca digestibility (p<0.01), gizzard weight (p<0.01), digesta transit time (p<0.01) and length of duodenum and small intestine (p<0.01). The CAID of phosphorus increased in CGC fed birds and inclusion of RH, SFH and OH (p<0.05). The weight of gizzard, proventriculus and pancreas (p<0.01) was greater in CGC fed birds. Feeding SFH, RH and OH (p<0.01), and CGC (p<0.01) increased the villus height (VH) of the duodenum. The OH, RH and SFH supplementation increased the caecal population of Lactobacillus spp. and total anaerobic bacteria (p<0.01) only in FGC fed birds. Overall, birds fed pelleted diets containing RH, OH and SFH (3%) exhibited improved performance, and increased nutrient digestibility, which may be caused by developed gizzards and intestine. Furthermore, coarse grinding of corn is beneficial to gizzard development.

Adding wheat and rapeseed meal to corn-soy diets affects intestinal morphology and nutrient digestibility in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation on rations with two different energy (wheat or corn) and protein resources (soy or rapeseed meals) on gut morphology and protein digestibility of broiler chickens. Three hundred eighty-four male Ross-308 broiler chickens were used with a 23 factorial arrangement with treatments according to a completely randomized design. The morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on 1-cm long excised segments from duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Adding wheat to the diet increased small intestine length in birds compared to other feedstuffs (P &lt;0.05). Duodenum crypt depth and jejunum villi length were also higher in groups fed with rations containing wheat (P &lt;0.05). Groups that received thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation had increased length of the duodenum (P &lt;0.05). However, the two- and three-factor interaction effects were not significant. Protein digestibility was not affected by treatment (P &gt;0.05). Feeding wheat to broiler chickens may increase the surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine as compensation for the anti-nutritive activity of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat-based diets. Wheat based diets are expected to be acceptable for broilers when supplemented with appropriate enzymes or thyme essential oil.

Impact of feeding modified soy protein concentrate in the starter phase on growth performance and gastrointestinal responses in broiler chickens through to day 42 of age

Growth performance and physiological responses of feeding modified soy protein concentrate (MSPC, 72% CP) in the starter phase were investigated. A total of 1,216 d old male Ross x Ross 708 broiler chicks were placed in 32 floor pens based on BW, fed one of 4 (n = 8) corn-soybean meal-based diets formulated with 0, 7.7, 10.0 or 12.5% MSPC for 10 d and transitioned to common diets to d 42. Feed intake, BW, and mortality were measured. Samples of birds were bled on d 10 for plasma uric acid (PUA) and subsequently necropsied for organs weight and samples of pancreatic tissues for enzyme activity, jejunal tissues for enzyme activity and histomorphology and ceca digesta for microbial activity. Litter moisture was determined on d 36 and 42 and sample of birds were necropsied on d 42 for breast yield and ceca digesta sample for microbial activity. Feeding MSPC linearly (P < 0.001) increased starter growth performance. Overall (d 0–42), MSPC linearly (P = 0.05)improved FCR; The FCR was 1.566, 1.535, 1.488 and 1.527 for 0.0, 7.7, 10.0, and 12.5% MSPC, respectively. Feeding MSPC linearly (P ≤ 0.04) increased breast yield and decreased small intestine length, gizzard digesta pH, and PUA. Breast yield was 230, 238, 246, and 252 g/kg BW for 0.0, 7.7, 10.0, and 12.5% MSPC, respectively. Pancreatic and jejunal chymotrypsin and trypsin activities and histomorphology were not (P > 0.10) influenced by the diets. On d 10, MSPC linearly (P < 0.05) reduced ceca digesta abundance of Ruminococcaceae, E. Coli, and Clostridium but increased abundance of Bifidobacterium and the ratio of Lactobacilli and E. Coli. Birds fed MSPC showed linear (P = 0.01) increase in abundance of Bifidobacterium on d 42. Feeding MSPC linearly increased ceca digesta acetic (P = 0.01) and reduced propionic (P = 0.048), and iso butyric (P = 0.003) in 10 d old broiler chicken. In conclusion, up to 12.5% MSPC inclusion in the starter phase increased growth performance through to d 42 linked to enhanced gut health through reduction of enteric pathogens.

Performance and biometry of the gastrointestinal tract in growing Japanese quails fed bee pollen

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of bee pollen in the diet of growing Japanese quails on productive performance, relative weight of the gastrointestinal organs and length of small and large intestines. A total of 650 one-day-old female Japanese quails were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments according to the dietary levels of bee pollen (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6%), five replicates, and 26 birds per experimental unit. At the end of the experimental period (35 days of age), the performance and relative weight of the gastrointestinal organs and length of small and large intestines were evaluated. The dietary inclusion of bee pollen did not influence (P &gt; 0.05) performance, relative weight of proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, liver, and large intestine, as well as the length of small and large intestines. However, a linear reduction (P &lt; 0.05) was observed in the relative weight of small intestine as dietary bee pollen levels increased. The inclusion of bee pollen from 0.4 to 1.6% in the diet of growing Japanese quails did neither improve productive performance nor alter the biometry of digestive organs.

Probiotics role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis in improving the health status of rabbits\u2019 gastrointestinal tract

BackgroundProbiotics are direct-fed microbial feed supplements which can modulate the gut microflora by competing intestinal pathogens through a competitive process. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Bacillus subtilis or their mixture on blood biochemical constituents, intestinal pathogenic load and intestinal histological changes of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits.ResultsSerum total protein, albumin, and globulin were (P ≤ 0.05) increased for rabbits fed supplemented diets. Microbial pathogenic load of small intestinal and caecal contents (E. coli and C. perfringens) showed reduction (P ≤ 0.05) for rabbits fed supplemented diets, while, lactobacillus spp. recorded higher counts (P ≤ 0.05) in intestinal and caecal contents of rabbits fed probiotics supplemented diets than control group. Small intestine length, villus height and crypt depth were higher (P ≤ 0.05) with probiotic diets than control. Musculosa depth was depressed (P ≤ 0.05) with probiotic diets.ConclusionsIt could be concluded that the addition of Bacillus subtilis or Saccharomyces cerevisiae to diets of growing NZW rabbits by 0.1% is recommended to minimize the pathogenic intestinal load and increasing of beneficial lactobacillus strains as well as improving the intestinal barriers integrity.

Effect of Production System and Slaughter age on Some Meat Quality and Digestive Tract Traits of Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

Male and female mixed 200 pheasants were reared in intensive and outdoor conditions to assess the meat quality and some digestive tract traits. Color, pH, cooking loss, water holding capacity and drip loss were determined as meat quality traits. Production system did not have significant effect on most of meat quality traits. Conversely, most of these traits were affected by slaughter age. Water holding capacity significantly decreased but cooking loss increased by slaughter age. Total digestive system weight rate to body weight was decreased by slaughter age but did not differ between production systems. Small and large intestine lengths were significantly longer in indoor system and significantly decreased by slaughter age.