Ratio Of Villus Height Research Articles

Evaluation of serum antioxidative status, immune status and intestinal condition of Linwu duck challenged by lipopolysaccharide with various dosages and replications

The present study investigated the dosage and replication effects of lipopolysaccharide challenges on the serum oxidative and immune status, and the intestinal morphology and permeability of Linwu ducks at the growing stage. A total of 500 54-day-old Linwu ducks were randomly assigned into 10 treatments, which included a factorial arrangement of 2 levels of LPS challenge replications (1 and 2 times) × 5 levels of lipopolysaccharide challenging dosages (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/kg). Each treatment consisted of 5 cages and 10 ducks per cage. The results showed significant replication effects of LPS on the body weight gain of ducks, that 2 replicates of LPS challenges significantly decreased the body weight gain than one challenge (P = 0.036). Regarding to the serum oxidative and immune status, dosage effects of lipopolysaccharide were found on the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (P = 0.034) and immunoglobulin A (P = 0.007), that 0.4 mg/kg lipopolysaccharides significantly increased the levels of these 2 parameters. Additionally, replication effects were found in the serum levels of interlukin 1β, that 2 replicates of LPS challenges significantly increased the interlukin 1β levels comparing to one challenge (P = 0.010). Regarding to the intestinal conditions, dosage effects of lipopolysaccharides were found on the ratio of villus height and crypt depth (P = 0.005) in duodenum, and the wall thickness of duodenum (P = 0.010) and jejunum (P = 0.001), that lipopolysaccharides at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.8 mg/kg significantly deteriorated the intestinal morphologies, especially in the duodenum and jejunum. Moreover, the dosage effects of lipopolysaccharides and the interactions of dosages and replications significantly influenced the permeabilities of the intestinal segments (P < 0.05). It appeared that 2 replicates of lipopolysaccharides at the dosage at 0.4 mg/kg could trigger oxidative and immunological stress, and damage the intestinal morphology and permeability of Linwu ducks at the growing stage.

Boron Modulates the Barrier Function, Antioxidant Activity, and Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Rat Jejunum

We have explored the effect of boron in drinking water on the microstructure, mechanical barrier, immune barrier, antioxidant activity, and cell proliferation in rat jejunum. The treatment resulted in a significant increase in the jejunum villi height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth compared to the control group. The results showed that the jejunum villi height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth of the rats in experimental groups IV and V significantly increased compared with the control group (P &lt; 0.05 or P &lt; 0.01). Furthermore, boron treatment resulted in a significant increase in the number of rat jejunum goblet cells, intraepithelial lymphocyte and proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive cells as well as the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A along with increased activity or content of total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. However, there was a decrease in expression of these markers in rats receiving the highest dosage of boron (640 mg/L). The results show that supplementing drinking water with low doses of boron could improve the microstructure of rat jejunum, enhance mucosal immunity, mechanical barrier function, and antioxidant activity, and promote cell proliferation.

Effects of montmorillonite on the growth performance, immunity, intestinal morphology and caecal microflora of broilers

Context Montmorillonite (MMT), as a potential antibiotic alternative, has rarely been reported in broiler chickens. Aims The present study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary MMT supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, intestinal microflora and morphological features of broilers. Methods One-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acres; n = 240) were randomly assigned to the following four groups before a 42-day feeding trial: (i) basal diet with no supplementation (control group); (ii) basal diet supplemented with 0.1% MMT; (iii) basal diet supplemented with 0.2% MMT; and (iv) basal diet supplemented with 0.3% MMT. Key results The results demonstrated that supplementation with 0.1% and 0.2% MMT markedly improved the average daily gain of broilers compared with the control group. Moreover, supplementation with 0.1% MMT remarkably decreased the total viable count of Escherichia coli in the caecum of broilers. Compared with the control group, 0.1% MMT supplementation significantly elevated the concentrations of secretory immunoglobulin A and systemic immunoglobulin G in the jejunal mucosa of broilers (P &lt; 0.05). Furthermore, MMT supplementation was associated with a greater villus height (VH) and a higher ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) in the intestinal mucosa of broilers (P &lt; 0.05). However, in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa, dietary supplementation with MMT exhibited no significant (P &gt; 0.05) impact on the CD values of broilers compared with the control group. Conclusions This study showed that supplementation with 0.1% MMT could enhance broiler growth, increase the small intestinal VH and the VH:CD ratio, promote the intestinal-mucosa development, affect microflora population and improve immune function in the intestinal tract of broilers. Implications Supplementation with MMT could alter morphological changes in the intestinal villi, regulate microbial population and improve immune function in the intestinal tract, thus contributing to broiler growth. Our results indicated that MMT may serve as a natural beneficial feed additive for poultry gut health.

Manno-oligosaccharide attenuates inflammation and intestinal epithelium injury in weaned pigs upon enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 challenge.

To explore the effect of manno-oligosaccharide (MOS) on intestinal health in weaned pigs upon enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC) challenge, thirty-two male weaned pigs were randomly assigned into four groups. Pigs fed with a basal diet or basal diet containing MOS (0·6 g/kg) were orally infused with ETEC or culture medium. Results showed that MOS significantly elevated the digestibility of crude protein and gross energy in both ETEC-challenged and non-challenged pigs (P < 0·05). MOS also elevated serum concentrations of IgA and IgM (P < 0·05), but decreased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (P < 0·05) in ETEC-challenged pigs. Interestingly, MOS increased villus height and the ratio of villus height:crypt depth in duodenum and ileum (P < 0·05). MOS also increased duodenal sucrase and ileal lactase activity in ETEC-challenged pigs (P < 0·05). MOS decreased the abundance of E. coli, but increased the abundance of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacillus in caecum (P < 0·05). Importantly, MOS not only elevated the expression levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1 and GLUT-2 in duodenum (P < 0·05) but also elevated the expression levels of ZO-1, GLUT-2 and L-type amino acid transporter-1 in ileum (P < 0·05) upon ETEC challenge. These results suggested that MOS can alleviate inflammation and intestinal injury in weaned pigs upon ETEC challenge, which was associated with suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines and elevated serum Ig, as well as improved intestinal epithelium functions and microbiota.

Effects of dietary supplementation of 4-O-methyl-glucuronoarabinoxylan on growth performance, thigh meat quality and development of small intestine in female Partridge-Shank broilers

AbstractRecently, Echinacea purpurea and its extracts have gained much interest due to their improvement on meat quality, but little information is available on the application of the purified Echinacea purpurea polysaccharide (4-O-methyl-glucuronoarabinoxylan, 4OMG). Thus, this trial aimed at assessing the effects of dietary supplementation of 4OMG on growth performance, thigh meat quality and small intestine development of broilers. A total of 240 1-day-old female broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four groups with three replicates of 20 within each group. Each group received either 0, 15, 20 or 25 g 4OMG/kg DM of diet. During the entire experiment, broilers had ad libitum access to water and feed, and the feed intake was recorded daily. All broilers were weighed before and end of the experiment. For each group, three pens with a total of 20 broilers were randomly selected to slaughter after 30 days. Increasing dietary supplementation of 4OMG linearly increased final live weight and daily body weight gain (P = 0.013) of broilers, Gain-to-Feed ratio (P &lt; 0.001), muscle pH (P = 0.024) and redness (P = 0.001), but decreased drip loss (P = 0.033), shear force value (P = 0.004) and hardness (P = 0.022) of the thigh meat. Broilers fed diet with higher 4OMG had greater weight index, villus height and ratio of villus height to crypt depth in both duodenum and jejunum. These results indicated that increasing dietary supplementation of 4OMG was beneficial for growth performance, meat quality and development of the small intestine of broilers.

Ingestion of organic acids and cinnamaldehyde improves tissue homeostasis of piglets exposed to enterotoxic Escherichia coli (ETEC).

Organic acids (OA) and phytogenic compounds have been used in pig feeding as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. However, few studies have evaluated the systemic effect of the combination of these additives. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an organic acid-based feed additive (OAFA), containing a blend of OA and cinnamaldehyde, on the tissue integrity of bacterially challenged piglets. Thirty weaned piglets 21 d old were used in a 19-d trial. Pigs received a standard diet during the first 7 d and afterward were allotted to five treatments. Dietary treatments were: Control (basal diet), Escherichia coli (basal diet and challenge with E. coli), colistin (basal diet + 200 mg colistin/kg feed + challenge with E. coli), OAFA1 (basal diet + 1 kg OAFA/ton feed + challenge with E. coli), and OAFA2 (basal diet + 2 kg OAFA/ton feed + challenge with E. coli). Seven days after the beginning of the treatment, the animals were challenged with an enterotoxic strain of E. coli (K88) for pigs. Five days after the challenge, all animals were euthanized for tissue sampling for histological and oxidative stress (intestine and liver) analysis. The reduced glutathione (GSH), ferric-reducing ability potential (FRAP), and free-radical scavenging ability (ABTS) assays were used to evaluate the intestinal antioxidant defense. Lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion production were evaluated through the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay, respectively. Animals fed the OAFA (1 and 2) diets had a decrease (P < 0.05) on histological changes in the intestine, liver, mesenteric lymph nodes, and spleen. Greater villus height (VH) and a higher ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) were observed in animals of the OAFA2 group compared with the control and E. coli groups. The colistin and OAFA groups decreased (P < 0.05) the number of inflammatory cells in intestinal lamina propria. OAFA2 group increased (P < 0.05) intestinal cell proliferation. Colistin and OAFA2 supplementation induced a decrease (P < 0.05) in the levels of TBARS in both the intestine and liver compared with the E. coli group. In addition, an increase (P < 0.05) in GSH and FRAP ileal levels was observed in the OAFA2 group compared with E. coli group. These results show that the supplementation with OAFA in the diet of weaned piglets, especially at a dose of 2 kg/ton (OAFA2) protected tissues against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) damage.

Protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides on intestinal development and mucosal immune function of immunosuppressed broilers

This study was aimed to assess the protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) on the development of small intestine and intestinal mucosal immunity of immunosuppressed broilers induced by cyclophosphamide (CPM). A total of 384 one-day-old broiler chicks with similar initial weight were randomly assigned into 6 groups: non-treated group (control), and CPM-treated groups fed either a basal diet or the diets containing 900 mg/kg APS, or 900, 600, 300 mg/kg IAPS, respectively. On days 16, 18, and 20, all broilers except for control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL CPM (40 mg/kg of BW). Broilers in the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL sterilized saline (0.75%, wt/vol). This trial was lasted for 21 d. The results revealed that both APS and IAPS treatment elevated the duodenal IgA-producing cells number and the jejunal mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon γ of CPM-injected broilers (P < 0.05). The decreased jejunal villus height (VH), the ratio of VH to crypt depth (V/C), as well as the intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells number in CPM-injected broilers were elevated by dietary supplementation with 900 mg/kg APS or 900, 600 mg/kg IAPS (P < 0.05). The CPM-induced decrease in jejunum index, the duodenal VH and the jejunal IgA-producing cells number were only improved in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of IELs and IgA-producing cells in duodenum, VH, V/C, the number of goblet cells, and mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-10 in jejunum were higher in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group than those in the 900 mg/kg APS group (P < 0.05). In summary, IAPS possessed stronger immunomodulatory effect than APS at the same supplementation level. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be used as an alternative treatment to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of APS.

Evaluation of yeast culture and direct-fed microbial on gut histology and serum components of broilers challenged with suboptimal diets under heat stress

The use of antibiotics in feed for growth promotion has been restricted in many countries, thus it is of interest to investigate potential alternatives for enhancing growth performance in birds. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the concurrent use of prebiotic and probiotic on gut histology and some blood chemicals of broiler chickens during heat stress. A total of 144 day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 treatments. The first treatment was a diluted diet including rice bran without probiotic or prebiotic. The other treatments were fed the diluted diets with a prebiotic (treatment 2) and concurrent use of that prebiotic along with a probiotic (treatment 3). Results showed that villus height was not influenced by feed additives. However, crypt depth significantly increased by feed additives in particular with combination of prebiotic and probiotic. The ratio of villus height to crypt depth significantly decreased in treatments fed prebiotic alone or prebiotic and probiotic together. This finding is indicating the fact that non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in high inclusion rate of rice bran caused to villus height erosion. It could be concluded that prebiotic and probiotic caused an increasing of enterocyte proliferation in the crypt of Liberkhun.

The effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and immune-related gene expression in broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and immune-related gene expression in broiler chickens. A total of 600 5-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly separated in a completely randomized design with to 2 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicates of 50 birds. The basal diets were formulated and prepared using HK L-137 at a level of 0 or 10 mg/kg. Chickens were fed basal diets with or without HK L-137 from 5 to 42 days of age. In addition to performance parameters, 5 birds with a live weight close to the group average were selected from each group and euthanized to collect their spleens for gene expression analysis (at 5, 10, 22, and 42 days old) as well as the whole small intestine for morphological analysis (at 22 and 42 days old). Thirty chickens with uniform weight from each group were slaughtered at the last trial day to measure carcass characteristics. Results showed that HK L-137 supplementation from the 5th to the 22nd day could enhance the body weight (BW), and average daily gain (ADG) in broilers (P < 0.05), and showed a lower value (P < 0.05) of average daily feed intake (ADFI). HK L-137 fed birds showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in BW, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 42 days old, but there were no significant differences on feed intake, survival rate, carcass characteristic, and visceral organs. The intestinal morphometric examination of the broilers at 22 days-old showed that villus height (VH), villus area (VA), and the ratio of VH and crypt depth (CD; VH/CD ratio) trended to be higher in the HK L-137 group. The duodenal VH and jejunal VH/CD ratio significantly increased (P < 0.05) in birds fed HK L-137. This might indicate that the birds fed dietary HK L-137 might have increased growth rate due to the increased VH and VH/CD ratio, resulting in raising the absorptive surface area for available nutrients. However, chickens at 42 days old presented that the intestinal VH, VA, CD, and VH/CD ratio did not differ between dietary groups (P > 0.05). The gene expression levels of IL-12β, IFN-β, and IFN-γ in HK L-137 group were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively) at 22 days of age. These results suggest that HK L-137 has some properties to stimulate the growth performance and immune response in young broiler chickens, and thus that it may be a potential alternative replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in the broiler chicken industry.

Effects of low-protein diet on the intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, blood urea nitrogen, and gut microbiota and metabolites in weaned pigs

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of low-protein diet supplemented with Lysine (Lys), Methionine (Met), Threonine (Thr), and Tryptophan (Trp) on small intestine morphology, enzyme activity, blood urea nitrogen, and gut microbiota and metabolites in weaned piglets. Eighteen weaned pigs weighing an average of 9.57 kg received one of three treatments: a normal protein diet with 20% crude protein (CP, diet [NP]), a moderately reduced protein diet with 17% CP (MP), or a low-protein diet with 14% CP (LP). All three diets were supplemented with Lys, Met, Thr and Trp to meet essential amino acid requirements for post-weaned piglets according to the NRC (2012). Following a 45 d study period, piglets on the LP and MP diets demonstrated atrophic small intestinal morphology, with decreased villus heights and lower ratios of villus height to crypt depth (p < 0.05); pepsin activity in the stomach was also reduced in these two groups (p < 0.05). Increased plasma cholesterol and decreased blood urea nitrogen presented in the MP and LP groups compared with the NP group (p < 0.05). Overall, gastrointestinal hormones were not affected by dietary protein levels with the exception of reduced somatostatin levels in the MP and LP groups. Jejunum and colon microbiota were not affected at either the phyla or genera level in any of the diets. Colonic ammonia nitrogen concentration was reduced in MP and LP groups. Dietary protein level had no effect on short chain fatty acids or biogenic amines. Our data suggest that reducing dietary protein levels by 3% (MP) or 6% (LP) in weaned pigs has the potential to decrease nitrogen emissions and impaired digestive capacity. Therefore, dietary protein level cannot be reduced by more than 3% in consideration of maladaptive changes to small intestinal morphology and pepsin activity in weaned piglets.

Effects of antimicrobial peptides on growth, morphology of foregut villi and related genes mRNA expression in the common carp ( Cyprinus carpio )

A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of different levels (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg) of antimicrobial peptides on growth, protease activity of foregut, the morphology of foregut villi and related genes mRNA expression level in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The results showed that the feed of antimicrobial peptides promote common carp growth, and the optimal dosage of antimicrobial peptides is 200–333 mg/kg in the common carp feed. The protease activity of 200 and 400 mg/kg groups were significantly higher than the control and other groups (p < 0.05). The foregut villus height with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide groups were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). The crypt depth of 200 and 400 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide groups were significantly lower than control group (p < 0.05). The ratio of villus height and crypt depth of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg antimicrobial peptide groups were significantly higher than control group (p < 0.05). The ratio with 600 mg/kg group was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). The IGF-I gene expression level of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg groups were significantly higher than the control group and 600 mg/kg group (p < 0.05). The IL-1β gene expression level of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg groups were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). These results indicated up-regulation of growth and immune related genes in antimicrobial peptides fed common carp. Correlation analysis showed that IGF-I mRNA and IL-1β mRNA were positively correlated with SGR. IL-1β mRNA and FCR were significantly negative correlated. It indicated that growth and immune gene common regulated the growth of the carp under antimicrobial peptides intervention. In conclusion, antimicrobial peptides can improve growth and related genes mRNA expression in the common carp. Further studies using molecular biological technique or immunologic methods are required to conclude that antimicrobial peptides are beneficial in common carp.

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra-uterine growth-retarded suckling piglets.

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with L -methionine (L -Met), DL -methionine (DL -Met) and calcium salt of the methionine hydroxyl analog (MHA-Ca) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant capacity and immune function in intra-uterine growth-retarded (IUGR) suckling piglets. Six normal birthweight (NBW) female piglets and 24 same-sex IUGR piglets were selected at birth. Piglets were fed nutrient adequate basal diet supplemented with 0.08% L -alanine (NBW-CON), 0.08% L -alanine (IUGR-CON), 0.12% L -Met (IUGR-LM), 0.12% DL -Met (IUGR-DLM) and 0.16% MHA-Ca (IUGR-MHA-Ca) from 7 to 21days of age respectively (n=6). The results indicated that IUGR decreased average daily milk (dry matter) intake and average daily gain and increased feed conversion ratio of suckling piglets (p<0.05). Compared with the NBW-CON piglets, IUGR also impaired villus morphology and reduced antioxidant capacity and immune homeostasis in the intestine of IUGR-CON piglets (p<0.05). Supplementation with L -Met enhanced jejunal villus height (VH) and villus area and ileal VH of IUGR piglets compared with IUGR-CON piglets (p<0.05). Similarly, DL -Met supplementation increased VH and the ratio of VH to crypt depth in the jejunum compared with IUGR-CON pigs (p<0.05). Supplementation with L -Met and DL -Met (0.12%) tended to increase reduced glutathione content and reduced glutathione: oxidized glutathione ratio and decrease protein carbonyl concentration in the jejunum of piglets when compared with the IUGR-CON group (p<0.10). However, supplementation with MHA-Ca had no effect on the intestinal redox status of IUGR piglets (p>0.10). In conclusion, supplementation with either L -Met or DL -Met has a beneficial effect on the intestinal morphology and antioxidant capacity of IUGR suckling piglets.

Morphological and molecular response of small intestine to lactulose and hydrogen-rich water in female piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet

BackgroundFollowing the intake of Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed, small intestines may be exposed to high levels of toxic substances that can potentially damage intestinal functions in livestock. It is well known that Fusarium mycotoxins will lead a breakdown of the normally impeccable epithelial barrier, resulting in the development of a “leaky” gut. H2 administration with different methods has been proved definitely potentials to prevent serious intestinal diseases. The goal of this study is to investigate the roles of lactulose (LAC) and hydrogen-rich water (HRW) in preventing intestinal dysfunction in piglets fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated feed.MethodsA total of 24 female piglets were evenly assigned to 4 groups: negative control (NC) group, mycotoxin-contaminated (MC) feed group, MC feed with LAC treatment (MC + LAC), and MC feed with HRW treatment (MC + HRW), respectively. Piglets in the NC group were fed uncontaminated control diet, while remaining piglets were fed Fusarium mycotoxin-contaminated diet. For the NC and MC groups, 10 mL/kg body weight (BW) of hydrogen-free water (HFW) was orally administrated to piglets twice daily; while in the MC + LAC and MC + HRW groups, piglets were treated with the same dose of LAC solution (500 mg/kg BW) and HRW twice daily, respectively. On d 25, serum was collected and used for biochemical analysis. Intestinal tissues were sampled for morphological examination as well as relative genes and protein expression analysis.ResultsOur data showed that Fusarium mycotoxins induced higher serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activities (P < 0.05), D-lactic acid levels (P < 0.01), and endotoxin status (P < 0.01), lower villus height (P < 0.01) and ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05) in small intestine, greater apoptosis index and higher mRNA expression related to tight junctions (P < 0.05). In addition, the distribution and down-regulation of claudin-3 (CLDN3) protein in the small intestinal was also observed. As expected, oral administrations of HRW and LAC were found to remarkably provide beneficial effects against Fusarium mycotoxin-induced apoptosis and intestinal leaking. Moreover, either HRW or LAC treatments were also revealed to prevent abnormal intestinal morphological changes, disintegrate tight junctions, and restore the expression and distribution of CLDN3 protein in the small intestinal mucosal layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.ConclusionsOur data suggest that orally administrations of HRW and LAC result in less Fusarium mycotoxin-induced apoptosis and leak in the small intestine. Either HRW or LAC treatments could prevent the abnormal changes of intestinal morphology and molecular response of tight junctions as well as restore the distribution and expression of CLDN3 protein of small intestinal mucosa layer in female piglets that were fed Fusarium mycotoxins contaminated diet.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Zinc and Multi-Microbe Probiotic on Growth Traits and Alteration of Intestinal Architecture in Broiler.

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of different levels of zinc (Zn) and a probiotic on the growth and intestinal health of broiler chickens. One hundred ninety-two-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 6 groups. The birds were supplemented with Zn (30 and 60mg/kg) and a probiotic mixture alone or in combination with Zn. The results revealed that the broilers receiving a probiotic mixture alone or in combination with Zn (30 and 60mg) increased (P < 0.05) final body weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and total goblet cell count in duodenum compared with the control group. Morphometry of the duodenum also revealed an increase (P < 0.05) in villus height (VH) and the ratio of VH and crypt depth in all the supplemented groups, whereas ileal VH increased (P < 0.05) only in Zn60 group when compared with control. Based on our results, we concluded that compared to the individual supplementation, the combined effect of Zn and probiotic mixture was superior in improving the growth performance and histomorphology of the intestine; however, the effect of two levels of Zn did not vary when combined with probiotic.

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed meal and oat hulls modulates intestinal histomorphometric characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota in pigs

The establishment of a healthy gastrointestinal milieu may not only offer an opportunity to reduce swine production costs but could also open the way for a lifetime of human health improvement. This study investigates the effects of feeding soluble fibre from flaxseed meal-containing diet (FM) and insoluble fibre from oat hulls-containing diet (OH) on histomorphological characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota and their associations with metabolites in pig intestines. In comparison with the control (CON) and OH diets, the consumption of FM increased (P < 0.001) the jejunal villi height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depths. The PERMANOVA analyses showed distinct (P < 0.05) microbial communities in ileal digesta and mucosa, and caecal mucosa in CON and FM-diets fed pigs compared to the OH diet-fed pigs. The predicted functional metagenomes indicated that amino acids and butanoate metabolism, lysine degradation, bile acids biosynthesis, and apoptosis were selectively enhanced at more than 2.2 log-folds in intestinal microbiota of pigs fed the FM diet. Taken together, flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation in growing pigs’ diets altered the gastrointestinal development, as well as the composition and function of microbial communities, depending on the intestinal segment and physicochemical property of the dietary fibre source.

Effects of chronic heat exposure on growth performance, intestinal epithelial histology, appetite-related hormones and genes expression in broilers.

Heat stress often occurs in the modern poultry industry, which impairs growth performance, particularly via reducing appetite. This study was aimed to investigate the mechanism of attenuating appetite by chronic heat exposure in broilers. A total of 144 broilers (28 days old) were allocated to normal control (NC, 22 °C), heat stress (32 °C), and pair-fed (22 °C) groups. Chronic heat exposure significantly increased cloacal temperatures and respiration rates, decreased the average daily feed intake and average daily gain, increased feed-to-gain ratio compared with the NC group, and elevated the concentrations of ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) both in serum and intestine, as well as peptide YY and somatostatin in intestine on 35- or 42-day-old broilers. Moreover, heat exposure decreased villi height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD), while it increased CD in the jejunum on 35- and 42 day-olds, increased (P<0.05) the concentrations of valine and isoleucine in plasma on 42 days, and upregulated (P<0.05) the expression of taste receptor type 1 members 1 and 3 (T1R1 and T1R3), CCK, and ghrelin in the intestine on 35- or 42-day-old broilers. Chronic heat exposure impairs the performance, intestinal morphology and appetite, which may be correlated with the increased secretion or gene expression of appetite-related hormones and genes, and the higher expression of nutrient-sensing receptors (T1R1 and T1R3) in broilers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

An impact of Deoxynivalenol produced by Fusarium graminearum on broiler chickens

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a major mycotoxin from the trichothecene family of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium fungi that cause disease in grains. Food and feed contaminated with DON cause a variety of adverse health effects in humans and farm animals. However, the fermentation conditions of DON for toxicological study remain to be optimised. Deoxynivalenol levels were increased in a constant temperature of 20°C after fermentation for 7 and 14days compared with cycling temperatures between 10-20°C and 15-20°C. We have established that optimum conditions for DON production on rice-based medium is constant temperature at 20°C. In feeding experiments, the villus height and the ratio of villus height and crypt depth were reduced in the duodenum of DON-fed broiler chickens, whereas a mycotoxin degradation agent efficiently reversed the abnormal morphology of the small intestine in the DON-fed broilers. The expression of pro-inflammatory gene, COX-2, was induced in the spleen and bursa of Fabricius of DON-fed broilers. This effect was alleviated in the presence of mycotoxin degradation agent. DON produced in solid-state fermentation is able to cause toxic effects in broilers and induce an abnormal morphology of the small intestine, particularly the duodenum.

In ovo feeding of l-arginine regulates intestinal barrier functions of posthatch broilers by activating the mTOR signaling pathway.

During the last phase of incubation, dramatic physiological and metabolic changes occur in chick embryos, and supplies of nutrients and energy are always insufficient. This study investigated the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of l-arginine (Arg) on the hatchability, growth performance, intestinal development and functions of posthatch broilers. The IOF of Arg increased (P < 0.05) the feed intake and body weight gain during 1-21 days and 1-42 days, and the intestinal weight of 7- and 21-day-old broilers, compared with non-injected control and diluent-injected groups. The IOF of Arg increased (P < 0.05) villus height (VH), ratio of VH to crypt depth (CD) and density of goblet cells, and decreased (P < 0.05) the CD in jejunum of 1-, 7- and 21-day-old broilers. The IOF of Arg also increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive cells of villus, and the mRNA expressions of mucin-2, claudin-1, zonula occludens-1 and -2 in jejunal mucosa of 21-day-old broilers. Meanwhile, IOF of Arg increased (P < 0.05) the protein abundance of phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 in jejunal mucosa. The IOF of Arg improved the development and barrier functions of small intestine, which might be associated with activating the mTOR pathway. In addition, the improved intestinal development might explain the improvement in feed intake and consequently the growth performance of broilers. Therefore, IOF of Arg solution could be an effective technology for regulating early nutrition supply and subsequent growth development in the poultry industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of diet complexity and multicarbohydrase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, intestinal morphology, and fecal score in newly weaned pigs1

To study the effects of diet complexity and multicarbohydrase (MC) supplementation, 144 piglets (6.70 ± 0.81 kg of BW) weaned at 21 ± 2 d of age (1:1 male to female ratio) were assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement based on diet complexity (complex1, complex2, and simple) and MC addition (0 vs. 0.1% of MC). Diets were provided in a 2-phase feeding program with phase I (d 1 to 14) and phase II diets (d 15 to 28). Complex1 was formulated to mimic a conventional weaner diet with blood plasma, fish meal, dried whey, and skim milk powder, whereas complex2 partially or totally replaced these ingredients with various plant-based ingredients. The simple diet primarily comprised corn, wheat, and soybean meal. No interactions were found between diet complexity and MC supplementation (P > 0.10), except for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of ash and globulin concentration on d 28 (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the complex1 diet had greater (P < 0.01) ADG, ADFI, and G:F than those fed the other diets during the first week after weaning. However, no differences in ADG or ADFI were observed for pigs fed the complex1 and simple diets throughout the 28-d experimental period (P > 0.10), whereas the complex2 diet led to lower ADG and ADFI compared with the complex1 diet (P < 0.05). Overall, G:F was greater for pigs fed the simple diet compared with those fed the complex1 diet (P < 0.01). Pigs fed the simple diet showed ATTD of DM, OM, GE, and ash comparable to those fed the complex1 diet on d 14 (P > 0.10). In contrast, greater ATTD of DM, OM, NDF, GE, and ash was observed (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the complex1 diet than in those fed the complex2 diet or the simple diet on d 28. The simple diet increased the lymphocyte proportion in serum compared with the complex1 diet (P < 0.01) on d 14. Pigs fed the complex1 diet had a greater (P < 0.05) ratio of villus height (VH) to crypt depth (CD) in the ileum compared with the other diets. The complex2 diet decreased (P < 0.05) the fecal score during 3 wk of the postweaning period compared with the complex1 diet. Dietary MC supplementation increased (P < 0.05) G:F during the overall experimental period, VH in the ileum, VH:CD ratio in the duodenum, and ATTD of DM and GE but it reduced fecal score (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding a simple diet resulted in BW comparable to feeding the complex1 diet, but it led to inferior intestinal morphology and ATTD of nutrients on d 28. Also, MC supplementation could be beneficial regardless of diet complexity.

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and zinc oxide on the growth performance, jejunal morphology and immune function of weaned piglet following an Escherichia coli K88 challenge

This study evaluated the effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) supplementation on the growth performance, jejunal morphology and immune function of weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli K88. A total of 96 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to four treatments in a 28-day experiment with a 2 × 2 factorial experiment involving two levels of L. acidophilus (0 and 5 × 1010 CFU/kg feed), and two levels of ZnO (0 or 3000 mg/kg feed). One piglet per pen was chosen and orally challenged with Escherichia coli K88 on day 28 and slaughtered at 6 hours post-infection. The results showed that LA supplementation increased the average daily gain from day 0 to day 28 (p = .025). Piglets fed with the diets containing LA or ZnO showed lower feed conversion ratio than the unsupplemented group (p < .05). In addition, LA supplementation increased villus height (VH), villus width and the ratio of VH and crypt depth (CD) compared to the unsupplemented group (p < .001). Administration of ZnO increased VW (p = .001) and VH:CD ratio (p = .039). Moreover, dietary LA and ZnO upregulated the mucin 2 and β-defensin 3 expression in the jejunum (p < .001), and LA supplementation increased immunoglobulin A concentration in the jejunal tissue (p = .019). In conclusion, the administration of LA or ZnO was effective in improving growth performance of weaned piglets, and both supplementations may benefit the jejunal development and immune function of piglets following E. coli K88 challenge.