Relative Intestinal Length Research Articles

Impact of Turmeric Powder and Black Pepper Capsules on the Small Intestine Profile and Product Quality of Kampung Unggul Balitnak (KUB) Chickens

This study aimed to improve the quality of KUB chicken eggs and meat through dietary supplementation. Fifty KUB chickens, aged three months, were reared for three months. The treatments were as follows: P0 (control) = basal ration (BR), P1 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour, P2 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric powder + 1 black pepper capsule (0.2 g/head/day), P3 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour + 2 black pepper capsules (0.4 g/head/day), and P4 = BR + 0.4 g/head/day turmeric flour + 3 black pepper capsules (0.6 g/head/day). Parameters measured included the digestive tract profile, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in the cecum, egg quality, egg cholesterol, and unsaturated fatty acid content in meat. Results indicated that while most treatments did not affect the relative weight and length of the small intestine, P1 significantly increased the relative weight of the duodenum by 57.4% compared to the control. P1 also improved LAB counts and egg quality. P2 reduced egg cholesterol by 27.1%, and P4 increased unsaturated fatty acid content in meat by 14.4% over the control. These findings suggest that turmeric powder and black pepper supplementation can enhance egg and meat quality as well as the overall performance of KUB chickens.

Feeding habits of the longfin goatfish Upeneus supravittatus Uiblein and Heemstra, 2010, along Chennai coast, south India

Recognising the need to understand the feeding habits of marine fishes, a study was undertaken on the longfin goatfish Upeneus supravittatus Uiblein and Heemstra, 2010, which contributed to trawl fisheries along Chennai coast (south-east coast of India). Dataon trophic attributes such as mouth gape area, gill raker counts, stomach and intestine lengths and gut condition and contents were collected and analysed to determine condition index, index of relative importance (IRI), niche breadth and trophic level (TrL) with reference to two variables, namely, body size (small, medium and large) and season (post north-east monsoon (PNE); summer (SUM); south-west monsoon (SW); north-east monsoon (NE). The mouth gape area of U. supravittatus was 129.3 mm2. The maximum body depth-total length ratio was 1:5.0; gill rakers in lower arch was 29 and the relative intestine length was 0.48. Empty stomach contributed 56.1% of the samples. U. supravittatus fed on prey belonging to 25 Orders and >40 Genera. Decapods such as shrimps and crablets were the main prey followed by fishes. The IRI of decapods was 6474 and that of fishes was only 193. The maximum prey size predated by the fish was 33.5 and 9.8% in terms of the predator’s length and weight, respectively. Higher prey diversity was noticed in small size group and during south-west monsoon season. The narrow niche breadth of 0.20 showed the selective nature of the fish to feed on decapods. The fish is a benthic carnivore with a mean trophic level of 3.58. The trophic level decreased with body size. Diet similarity was evident between north-east and post north-east monsoon and between summer and south-west monsoon seasons. Diversity indices showed marginal variation in prey diversity among size groups and among seasons. This study paves way for estimating production efficiency of U. supravittatus. Keywords: Diet composition, Index of relative importance, Trophic level, Trophic morphology, U. supravittatus

Features of topography and macroscopic structure of the digestive organs of the Yemeni chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

The relevance of this study is conditioned by the lack of detailed information on the structure and topography of the digestive organs of the Yemeni chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). The purpose of this study was to find out the specific features of changes in body weight, topography, and structure of the digestive organs of the Yemeni chameleon, to determine their morphometric parameters in animals from 1 day to 1 year of age. The research material included the tongue, oesophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas of chameleons of different sexes of 9 age groups. The data obtained were processed by one-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). According to the topography, macroscopic structure and surface of the mucous membrane, there are three intestines in the small intestine: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and two intestines in the large intestine: the colon with a diverticulum and the rectum, which passes into the cloaca. A feature of the serous membrane of the chameleon intestine is that it is coloured black by melanin. From 1 day to 1 year of age, the body weight of chameleons increased 185.9 times, the snout-vent length (SVL) increased 6.7 times, the length of the digestive tract increased 3.8 times, and the ratio of the length of the digestive tract to SVL decreased from 3.2 to 1.8 times. The most intensive increase in body weight and SVL occurred during the second and third months of life. The relative length of the small intestine in chameleons of different age groups was 65.1- 81.6%, with the longest part being the jejunum. The increase in the morphometric parameters of the stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas was asynchronous. The most pronounced changes in their relative weight were determined in animals of 2-3 months of age. The obtained materials supplement and clarify the information on the topography and structure of the digestive organs of the Yemeni chameleon, and therefore they will be useful in X-ray and ultrasound examination during veterinary manipulations

Digestive tract morphology and argyrophil cell distribution of three sympatric lizard species

The digestive tract plays a crucial role in an organism’s health. Here, the digestive tract morphology and argyrophil cell distribution of three sympatric lizard species, Teratoscincus roborowskii, Phrynocephalus axillaris and Eremias roborowskii, were studied. Our results show that T. roborowskii’s snout–vent length (SVL) and digestive tract length (DTL) were significantly longer than those of P. axillaris and E. roborowskii. P. axillaris’ relative intestine length was 1.25, which was significantly longer than those of the other two species. The three lizard species’ digestive tract structures were generally similar, whereas their histologic characteristics exhibited significant differences. Particularly, T. roborowskii’s and P. axillaris’ esophagus mucosa was pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, whereas simple columnar epithelium was observed in E. roborowskii, which also had fewer mucosal folds than the other two species. In all three lizard species, the small intestines’ mucosal lining consisted of simple columnar epithelium with many goblet cells; the largest quantity of villi was found in T. roborowskii. Moreover, T. roborowskii’s mucous membrane (MM) and tunica muscularis (TM) were obviously thicker than those of the other two species. However, the argyrophil cells’ distribution densities of the three species were remarkably different; such differences were highest in the cardia of T. roborowskii and E. roborowskii, but P. axillaris was observed to have more argyrophil cells in its stomach body. Our results indicated that the three lizards’ different histomorphologies might be due to limited food resources, availability of a single food type in the Turpan Basin’s extremely arid and hot environment, as well as T. roborowskii’s special frugivorous behavior. Morphological studies of these lizards are necessary to understand their digestive systems’ structure and operation, as well as to facilitate physiological studies of adaptions to extreme desert habitats.

Effect of the upkeep method, in natural habitat or farm maintenance

The research was performed on 116 fallow deer individuals, including 58 free-living and 58 farmed individuals. The age of the fallow deer ranged from 1.5 to 3 years. The research involved the use of free-living fallow deer carcasses acquired as a result of a cull during huntings in the Zamrzenica Forest Inspectorate, in the kujawskopomorskie province, whereas the farmed fallow deer carcasses were made available for research by the Bomafar Cervidae farm. Of all the individuals for each upkeep method, a group of does and a group of bucks were separated. The aim of the paper was to determine and to compare the values of the metrics of the alimentary tract in two different populations of fallow deer, namely living in a natural hunting ground and kept in the farm system. The morphometric measurements were performed on the carcasses without internal organs. The measurements were taken using the metal tape at the accuracy down to 1 millimetre. The measurements of the intestine length and the capacity of stomachs concerned the unpreserved material. The intestines not emptied from the contents were measured once they were spread on a wet non-adhesive surface. The results of the research demonstrated that the metrics of the digestive tract in fallow deer depend considerably on the method of the animal upkeep and on its sex and there were significant differences in the relative length of intestine and its respective sections.

Effects of dietary supplementation with garlic powder (Allium sativum L.) on broiler performance, carcass traits, lymphoid organ development and intestinal biometrics

Aim of study: To assess the effects of dietary supplementation with garlic (Allium sativum L.) powder as a growth-promoting additive on the productive performance, carcass traits, intestinal biometrics, and lymphoid organ development of broilers. Area of study: Machado, Minas Gerais, southeast region of Brazil. Material and methods: A total of 660 one-day-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0 g/kg garlic powder), 6 replications, and 22 animals per experimental unit during 42 days of production, divided into phases: initial (1 to 7 days), growth (8 to 22 days), and finishing (23 to 42 days). Main results: In the total production period, the birds that were fed rations containing 5, 7.5 and 10 g/kg garlic powder showed increased weight gain and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Among the carcass yield variables, live weight and carcass yield showed a positive linear effect (p<0.05). Birds supplemented with garlic powder showed increased weight (p<0.05) and relative length of the small intestine (p<0.05). The absolute weight of the lymphoid organs, thymus and bursa of Fabricius, and the relative weight of the thymus, bursa of Fabricius and spleen also increased linearly with the level of dietary supplementation with garlic powder (p<0.05). Research highlights: Dietary supplementation with 5 g/kg and higher concentrations of garlic powder is recommended as a growth promoter for broilers because this feed additive enhances lymphoid organ development, improves intestinal biometric variables and consequently maximises the productive performance and carcass yield of broilers from 1 to 42 days of age.

Intestinal response of Rana chensinensis larvae exposed to Cr and Pb, alone and in combination

Although numerous investigations on the adverse impact of Cr and Pb have been performed, studies on intestinal homeostasis in amphibians are limited. Here, single and combined effects of Cr (104 μg/L) and Pb (50 μg/L) on morphological and histological features, bacterial community, digestive enzymes activities, as well as transcriptomic profile of intestines in Rana chensinensis tadpoles were assessed. Significant decrease in the relative intestine length (intestine length/snout-to-vent length, IL/SVL) was observed after exposure to Pb and Cr/Pb mixture. Intestinal histology and digestive enzymes activities were altered in metal treatment groups. In addition, treatment groups showed significantly increased bacterial richness and diversity. Tadpoles in treatment groups were observed to have differential gut bacterial composition from controls, especially for the abundance of phylum Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria as well as genus Citrobacter, Anaerotruncus, Akkermansia, and Alpinimonas. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis showed that the transcript expression profiles of GPx and SOD isoforms responded differently to Cr and/or Pb exposure. Besides, transcriptional activation of pro-apoptotic and glycolysis-related genes, such as Bax, Apaf 1, Caspase 3, PK, PGK, TPI, and GPI were detected in all treatment groups but downregulation of Bcl2 in Pb and Cr/Pb mixture groups. Collectively, these results suggested that Cr and Pb exposure at environmental relevant concentration, alone and in combination, could disrupt intestinal homeostasis of R. chensinensis tadpoles.

Temperature, species identity and morphological traits predict carbonate excretion and mineralogy in tropical reef fishes

Anthropogenic pressures are restructuring coral reefs globally. Sound predictions of the expected changes in key reef functions require adequate knowledge of their drivers. Here we investigate the determinants of a poorly-studied yet relevant biogeochemical function sustained by marine bony fishes: the excretion of intestinal carbonates. Compiling carbonate excretion rates and mineralogical composition from 382 individual coral reef fishes (85 species and 35 families), we identify the environmental factors and fish traits that predict them. We find that body mass and relative intestinal length (RIL) are the strongest predictors of carbonate excretion. Larger fishes and those with longer intestines excrete disproportionately less carbonate per unit mass than smaller fishes and those with shorter intestines. The mineralogical composition of excreted carbonates is highly conserved within families, but also controlled by RIL and temperature. These results fundamentally advance our understanding of the role of fishes in inorganic carbon cycling and how this contribution will change as community composition shifts under increasing anthropogenic pressures.

Effect of different levels of oxytetracycline antibiotics on some intestine and immune traits of Chinese ducks

This study was conducted in the field of poultry, Agricultural Research and Experiments Station, College of Agriculture, Al-Muthanna University, from 14/12/2021 to 14/2/2022. A total of Sixty one-day-old Peking ducks were reared, with an average weight of 42 g, to study the effect of adding different levels of oxytetracycline antibiotics at levels: 0, 0.125, 0.250 and T4 0.375% on some intestinal and immune traits of Chinese ducks. The results indicated a significant superiority remove on the relative weight and length of the small intestine with all its parts (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) for Chinese ducks when using the antibiotic oxytetracycline antibiotics, it was described as a growth stimulator compared to the control treatment. The addition of the antibiotic oxytetracycline antibiotics at high levels (0.375 mg/kg feed) led to a significant improvement remove of the immunological characteristics represented by the relative weight of bursa gland compared to the control treatment

High Dietary Histamine Induces Digestive Tract Oxidative Damage in Juvenile Striped Catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus).

A 56-day feeding trial investigated the effects of dietary histamine on the antioxidant capacity, gastric and intestinal barrier functions, and growth performance of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). Seven isonitrogenous (34.0% crude protein) and isolipidic (10.5% crude lipid) diets were formulated with supplemental 0, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 mg/kg of histamine, named H0, H15, H30, H60, H120, H240, and H480 group, respectively. Results showed that the weight gain rate, specific growth rate, relative intestinal length in the H240 and H480 groups, and the condition factors in the H480 group were significantly lower than those in the H0 group. Intestinal total antioxidant capacity, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase activities in the H480 group were significantly lower than those in the H0 group, whereas intestinal malondialdehyde content exhibited the opposite trend. Intestinal complement 3, complement 4, immunoglobulin M, and Recombinant Mucin 2 in the H480 group were significantly lower than those in the H0 group, in contrast to intestinal lipopolysaccharide content. Intestinal IL-10 gene expression in the H480 group was significantly lower than that in the H0 group, whereas the TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8 gene expression exhibited opposite results. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic observation of the gastrointestinal tract revealed severe damage to the gastric mucosa and intestinal epithelium in the H480 group. The abundance of Treponema in the histamine groups was significantly higher than that in the H0 group. These results indicated that high dietary histamine decreases intestinal immunity and antioxidant capacity, inducing digestive tract oxidative damage and ultimately decreasing the growth of striped catfish.

Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation improves intestinal morphology, mucosal barrier function of broilers subjected to chronic heat stress.

The current study is designed to investigate dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and jejunum mucosal barrier function of broilers that are subjected to chronic heat stress (HS). A total of 192 male broilers (28-d old) were randomly allocated to four groups. A chronic HS model (at a temperature of 32 °C and 50%-60% relative humidity for 24 h daily) was applied in the experiment. Normal control (NC, ad libitum feeding, 22 °C), HS group (HS, ad libitum feeding, 32 °C), pair-fed group (PF, received food equivalent to that consumed by the HS group on the previous day, 22 °C), guanidinoacetic acid group (HG, ad libitum feeding, supplementing the basal diet with 0.6 g/kg GAA, 32 °C). The experiment lasted from 28 to 35 and 28 to 42 d of age of broilers. Our results showed that broilers subjected to HS had lower average daily feed intake and average daily gain (P < 0.05), higher feed-to-gain ratio and relative length of the small intestine (P < 0.05), as well as lower relative weight and weight per unit length of the small intestine (P < 0.05). HS damaged the small intestinal histomorphology by decreasing the small intestinal VH and the VH/CD (P < 0.05). Compared with the HS group, supplementation with 0.6 g/kg GAA increased jejunal VH and VH/CD (P < 0.05), but decreased relative weight and relative length of the small intestine (P < 0.05). Moreover, in comparison with NC, HS elevated intestinal permeability (D-Lactic acid concentration and diamine oxidase activity) and mRNA expression levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05), reduced jejunal mucus thickness, number of goblet cells, IgA + cell density, and mucin2 mRNA expression level of broilers (P < 0.05). Compared with the HS group, dietary GAA elevated jejunal mucus thickness, goblet cell number and IgA+ cell density (P < 0.05), and up-regulated jejunal mRNA expression of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.05). In conclusion, HS impaired growth performance, and the intestinal mucosal barrier function of broilers. Dietary supplementation with 0.6 g/kg GAA alleviated HS-induced histomorphology changes of small intestine and jejunal mucosal barrier dysfunction.

A Meta-analysis of Fiber Ratio Effects on Growth Performance, Gastrointestinal Traits, and Nutrient Digestibility of Broiler Chickens

Fiber is one of the essential nutrients for broiler chickens. This meta-analysis was carried out to investigate the impacts of fiber fraction ratio on broiler chickens growth performance, digestive characteristics, and nutritional digestibility. The database was compiled from 15 publications reports on the addition of fiber sources in broilers feed. To analyze the effect of acid detergent fiber (ADF) / neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio, the mixed model technique was utilized, with ADF/NDF ratio in the feed as a fixed effect and the experiment as a random effect. The ADF/NDF ratio in the feed had no effect on average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed per gain ratio in this research. Moreover, a decrease in ADF/NDF ratio in broiler chicken feed increased the relative weight of the gizzard. The relative weight and length of the small intestine and cecum were not affected by the ADF/NDF ratio in the feed. The ADF/NDF ratio in feed enhanced ileal digestibility and total tract apparent retention of most nutrients. The ADF/NDF ratio in the feed had no effect on the jejunal morphology. The minimum ADF/NDF ratio of 0.37 in the feed led to the maximum growth performance, digestive tract development, and optimal nutrient digestibility. In conclusion, controlling the ratio of fiber fraction in broiler chickens feed can improve broiler performance in the non-antibiotic growth promoters era.

Dietary pyridoxine effect on growth performance, physiological metabolic parameters, intestinal enzymatic activities and antioxidant status of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

The experimental trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary pyridoxine on growth performance, physiological metabolics, intestinal enzymatic activities and antioxidant properties of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (420 g/kg protein and 70 g/kg lipid) were formulated to contain 3.69 (control), 5.45, 7.31,11.17, 19.43 and 33.94 mg/kg pyridoxine. Four groups of 30 fish (3.85 ± 0.01 g) per tank (300-L cylindrical fiberglass tanks) for each diet were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 63 days. Blood, intestine and hepatopancreas samples were obtained for metabolic, enzymatic activities and antioxidant properties analyses. The results showed that significantly higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), whole-body crude protein, intestinal protease, alkaline phosphatase, Na+/K+-ATPase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and significantly lower feed conversion ratio were observed in fish fed diet with 7.31 mg/kg compared to those in control group (P < 0.05). There was a significant increase of intestinal villus length, villus width and muscular thickness in fish fed 5.45 or 7.31 mg/kg pyridoxine diets compared with those in control group (P < 0.05). The fish fed with 7.31 or 11.17 mg/kg pyridoxine diets had significantly higher intestosomatic index, relative intestinal length, serum total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, hepatic glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lower viscerasomatic index, serum glucose, hepatic malondialdehyde compared to those in control group (P < 0.05). Based on WG, FCR, PER, crude protein, protease and SOD activities, the optimal dietary pyridoxine requirement of yellow catfish was estimated to be 6.70 −7.42 mg/kg using broken-line regression analysis.

Prejuveniles of Mugil liza (Actinopterygii; Fam. Mugilidae) show digestive and metabolic flexibility upon different postprandial times and refeeding.

Many animals face periods of feeding restrictions implying fasting and refeeding. The determination of digestive/metabolic and body condition parameters at different times of food deprivation and after refeeding allows to evaluate the postprandial dynamics, the transition from feeding to fasting and the capacity to reverse digestive and metabolic alterations. In spite of its physiological importance, studies on estuarine-dependent detritivore fish are lacking. We determined total mass (TM), relative intestine length (RIL), hepatosomatic index (HSI), digestive enzymes activities in the intestine and energy reserves in liver and muscle at 0, 24, 72, 144 and 240h after feeding and at 72h after refeeding in prejuveniles of Mugil liza (Mugilidae) as a model species. After feeding, a decrease occurred in: TM (144h, 25%), RIL (144h, 23%); amylase and maltase (72h, 45 and 35%), sucrase (24h, 40%) and lipase (24h, 70%) in intestine; glycogen and free glucose (72h, 90 and 92%) in liver. In muscle, glycogen (72-144h) and free glucose (144h) (170% and 165%, respectively) peak increased; triglycerides decreased at 24-240h (50%). After refeeding TM, RIL, carbohydrases activities in intestine, glycogen and free glucose in liver were recovered. In muscle, glycogen and free glucose were similar to 0h; lipase activity and triglycerides were not recovered. Trypsin and APN in intestine, triglycerides in liver, protein in liver and muscle and HSI did not change. The differential modulation of key components of carbohydrates and lipid metabolism after feeding/refeeding would allow to face fasting and recover body condition. Our results improve lacking knowledge about digestive and metabolic physiology of detritivore fish.

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine improves the intestinal development and nutrient absorption of weaned piglets via regulating the activity of intestinal stem cells.

Early weaning in piglets can cause a series of negative effects. This causes serious losses to the livestock industry. N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine (D-GlcNAc) plays an important role in regulating the homeostasis of the intestine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of D-GlcNAc on the growth performance and intestinal function of weaned piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc, 6.58 ± 0.15 kg, n = 8) at 21 d old were fed 3 diets supplemented with 0 (control), 1 and 3 g/kg D-GlcNAc. The intestinal organoid model was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of D-GlcNAc on intestinal epithelial cells. On the whole, supplementation of D-GlcNAc in the piglet diet has no significant effect on the growth performance and diarrhoea of weaned piglets (P > 0.05). The apparent digestibility of nutrients and mRNA abundance of nutrient transporters in the 1 g/kg D-GlcNAc group were increased significantly (P < 0.05). D-GlcNAc did not affect villus height (VH) and crypt depth (CD) but resulted in a numerically shorter VH and shallower CD, which lead to an increase in ileal VH:CD ratio (P < 0.05). Cell shedding rates in the ileum villi increased (P < 0.05). The relative length and weight of the small intestine of weaned piglets increased (P < 0.05). In vitro studies found that the budding rates of organoids treated with 0.1 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on the d 3 and 5 (P < 0.05). The average budding numbers per budding organoid treated with 0.1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on d 3 (P < 0.05). D-GlcNAc upregulated leucine rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5+) and Chromogranin A mRNA abundance in organoids (P < 0.05). Mucin 2 (Muc2) expression increased when treated with 1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary D-GlcNAc cannot improve the growth performance of weaned piglets. However, it can promote the growth and development of the intestinal tract and improve the digestion and absorption capacity of the intestine, which is achieved by affecting the activity of intestinal stem cells.

Dietary Catharanthus roseus modulates intestinal microarchitecture in broilers

The study evaluated the efficacy of ethanolic extracts of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus) in altering growth performance, viscera development and intestinal microarchitecture in broilers. Day-old broiler chicks (n = 175) were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 25/group) with 5 replicates (n = 5). The chicks in the control groups were fed a corn-soya-based basal diet, whereas groups 2 - 4 had the same basal diets supplemented with 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% ethanolic leaf extracts (ELE), respectively. Chicks in groups 5 - 7 were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% ethanolic root extracts (ERE) of C. roseus, respectively. The growth performance and feed conversion ratio remained unchanged, but feed consumption of birds supplemented with 0.1% ERE increased in weeks 1 and 3. The relative length of the small intestine was lower in the 0.05% ERE group compared with the control. Villus height, width, surface area, and lamina propria thickness were higher in the 0.1% ERE group in all three segments of the small intestine than in the control. Broilers supplemented with 0.1% ERE performed better in terms of feed consumption and improved intestinal microarchitecture of the small intestine.

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 influence of Phyllanthus niruri L. powder and Zn-bacitracin antibiotics on the relative weight of carcasses and intestines of broiler

Phyllanthus niruri L (meniran) is included in Euphorbiaceae which is easy to grow in various geographies and has active compounds such as terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and phyllanthin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the administration of Phyllanthus niruri L powder to the relative carcass weight, upper thighs, lower thighs, back, breast, wings and weights and the relative length of the intestine, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of broiler chickens. The study used a Completely Randomized Design with 5 treatments, 4 replications, each replication consisted of 10 DOC with the following treatments: T1 (without antibiotics and P. niruri L powder (Control); T2 (Zn-bacitracin 0.05%) ; T3 (Phylanthus niruri L. powder 0.0157%); T4 (Phylanthus niruri L. powder 0.0313%); T5 (Phylanthus niruri L. powder 0.0470%). The results showed that life weight and relative weight of carcass, back, breast, upper thighs, lower thighs, wings, back, head + neck, legs, and abdominal fat were not significantly different (P>0.05) between treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. But the real breast relative weight (P<0.05) was higher in the T5 treatment compared to T2, T3, and T4. Likewise, the relative weight and length of the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were not significant (P>0.05) between all treatments. It was concluded that the treatment of P. niruri L. powder up to 0.0470% was not significant with the Zn-bacitracin treatment on live weight and relative weight of carcass , back, breast, upper thighs, lower thighs, wings, back, hackle + neck, legs, and abdominal fat. Also the relative weight and length of the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Except for the P. niruri L. powder 0.0470% treatment that the relative weight of the breast was significantly higher than the Zn-bacitracin treatment, P. niruri L. powder 0.0157% and 0.0131%.

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.

Water temperature effects on growth performance, proximate body and tissue composition, morphometric characteristics and gastrointestinal evacuation processes of juvenile meagre, Argyrosomus regius (Asso 1801)

The effect of 4 temperature levels, 17, 20, 23 and 26 °C was investigated on growth performance, feed and nutrient utilization, body, fillet and liver composition and morphometric characteristics of meagre, of initial mean weight 36.46 g, after a 12-week trial, fed on a practical diet composed of 49% crude protein and 16% lipids (dry weight). Furthermore, the gastrointestinal evacuation processes of meagre were monitored by subjecting fish to 48-h fasting period, followed by force-feeding and collecting the stomach and intestinal contents at 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 12 h and 24 h post-feeding. Meagre growth parameters significantly improved with the increase in temperature, resulting in double the thermal growth coefficient (TGC) at 23 and 26 °C compared to 17 °C. Maximum weight (122.5 g) was achieved at 26 °C. Daily feed intake (DFI) increased from 17 to 26 °C, whereas nutrient efficiency and utilization parameters were significantly lower only at 17 °C. A time effect was also evident on the growth-related parameters and feed conversion ratio (FCR), resulting in similar specific growth rate (SGR) and TGC values between 23 and 26 °C and lower FCR only in 17 °C by the 3rd month, despite the initial difference amongst the 4 treatments. Intestine length increased as fish grew bigger with temperature increase, but the relative intestine length to fish total length remained constant. No effect of temperature was found on condition index (CI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), body proximate composition, fillet lipids and liver glycogen content. Liver lipid content significantly increased from 17 °C to 26 °C. Temperature influenced gastric evacuation patterns, but not the digesta moisture in each gastrointestinal tract (GIT) segment. Hydration within the GIT was affected by temperature with lower content obtained at 17 °C. Stomach digesta moisture and hydration significantly elevated 4 h post-feeding in all treatments. Within the intestine, unlike in the stomach, digesta were mostly comprised of moisture. Gastric evacuation rate (GER) became faster with temperature increase. Meagre juveniles required 4.3–7.4 h to half-empty their stomachs depending on temperature and more than 24 h to completely evacuate their GIT. 23–27 °C was determined as the best water temperature range for growth of meagre of 36-123 g under the specific culture conditions. At 17 °C growth and feed efficiency were impaired, while gastric evacuation processes deviated from the rest.