Thickness Of Muscular Layer Research Articles

АНАЛИЗ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВЫХ СКАНОВ ЧЕРВЕОБРАЗНОГО ОТРОСТКА У ПАЦИЕНТОВ С ПОДОЗРЕНИЕМ НА ОСТРЫЙ АППЕНДИЦИТ

Objective. Comprehensive assessment of structural changes in the appendix vermiformis (AV), visualized during its ultrasound examination in patients with suspected acute appendicitis (AA), finding parallels between the ultrasound image of changes in the AV and histological findings, clinical diagnosis, and patient treatment method. Material and methods. 136 patients examined at the Ultrasound Department were admitted on an emergency basis due to suspicion of AA: 94 (69.1%) were women and 42 (30.9%) were men. The group of patients who were operated consisted of 65 (44.1%) patients, while the non-operated group consisted of 71 (55.9%) patients. All patients underwent ultrasound of the right iliac area, and ultrasound scans of the AV were saved and analyzed retrospectively. Each ultrasound scan was analyzed based on the following criteria: vertical diameter of AV, cross-sectional area of AV, degree of deformation of AV, thickness of each layer of AV separately, total wall thickness of AV, degree of differentiation of individual layers of AV, contrast of AV wall layers, diameter of AV lumen, contents of the AV lumen, presence of echogenicity in the contents of the AV lumen. Results. Among the studied parameters of AV, four criteria showed correlation with histological findings, clinical diagnosis, and patient treatment method at p≤0.05: vertical diameter, cross-sectional area, muscular layer thickness, contents in the lumen. The criterion "vertical diameter of AV 6 mm or more" had a sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 66%, and accuracy of 77% for histological findings; for clinical diagnosis – 75%, 78%, 76%, respectively; for surgery probability prediction – 81%, 57%, 70%, respectively. The criterion "cross-sectional area more than 30 mm2" had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 57%, and accuracy of 78% for histological findings; for clinical diagnosis – 75%, 78%, 76%, respectively; for surgery probability prediction – 87%, 42%, 65%, respectively. The criterion "muscular layer thickness 0.7 mm or more" had a sensitivity of 65%, specificity of 71%, and accuracy of 67% for histological findings; for clinical diagnosis – 42%, 76%, 56% respectively; for surgery probability prediction – 32%, 86%, 65%. When analyzing the effectiveness of using criteria for appendicitis, patients were divided into groups based on the diameter of the AV: patients with AV diameter up to 6 mm, patients with AV diameter 6-8 mm, patients with AV diameter more than 8 mm. The implementation of additional criteria showed its effectiveness in the group with AV diameter 6-8 mm: the accuracy of diagnosing phlegmonous AA increases based on this additional criteria. Conclusions. Based on ultrasound data, it is possible to distinguish patients with gangrenous and phlegmonous AA from patients with other forms of AA, and from patients without AA. During the study, the effectiveness of using additional criteria for AA such as cross-sectional area of AV, contents in the lumen, muscular layer thickness in AV diameter from 6 to 8 mm was revealed. The use of ultrasound criteria alone is not sufficient to determine the treatment strategy for the patient and should be combined with the clinical presentation of the disease.

Probiotic, fructooligosaccharide and yeast extract mixture improves gut health in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss.

The present study investigated the effects of a feed additive (FA) containing a probiotic consortium, fructooligosaccharide and yeast extract on growth performance, humoral immune responses, hepatic antioxidant parametersand intestine digestive enzymes, morphology and transcripts in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. The fish were reared for 8 weeks, feeding on diets containing 0 (CNT), 0.3 (0.3FA), 1 (1FA)and 2 (2FA) g/kg FA. The results showed that fish growth parameters were significantly and quadratically related to FA levelsand FA treatments had better growth performance than CNT treatment. Intestinal amylase activity significantly increased in 2FA, whereas, intestinal protease activity increased in all FA treatments. Intestinal villus length and muscular layer thickness significantly increased in 0.3FA treatment. Blood leucocyte and lymphocyte counts, plasma lysozyme activityand hepatic glutathione content significantly increased in 0.3FA and 1FA treatments; whereas hepatic malondialdehyde significantly decreased in these treatments. Blood neutrophil and monocyte counts significantly increased in 0.3FA treatment, while plasma alternative complement activity significantly increased in 1FA treatments. Plasma bactericidal activities against Aeromonas hydrophila, Yersinia ruckeriand Streptococcus iniae, and intestinal expression of heat shock protein 70 and beta-defensin significantly increased in all FA treatments. The abundance of A. hydrophila, Y. ruckeriand S. iniae in fish gut significantly decreased in 0.3FA treatment; these bacteria were absent in the intestines of 1FA and 2FA treatments. The present results suggest that dietary 0.3-1 g/kg of FA can significantly improve growth performance, immune response, intestinal healthand hepatic antioxidant capacity in rainbow trout.

Lactitol Alleviates Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Sprague Dawley Rats by Regulating Serotonin, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Gut Microbiota.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of lactitol on constipation caused by loperamide in Sprague Dawley rats, with a particular emphasis on its underlying mechanisms and potential health advantages. The lactitol effectively improved fecal parameters, intestinal tissue structure, and the expression of constipation-related gene expression and proteins. Lactitol alleviated fecal weight and water content altered by loperamide and enhanced gastrointestinal transit. The administration also restored mucosal and muscular layer thickness. Mechanistically, lactitol upregulated the mRNA expression and/or protein levels of mucins (MUC2 and MUC4), occludin, claudin-1, and zonula occludens, indicating improved intestinal barrier function. Lactitol positively regulated the composition of cecal microbiota, leading to an increased relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Romboutsia. Conversely, lactitol decreased the relative abundance of Prevotella, Aerococcus, Muribaculum, Blautia, and Ruminococcus. This study demonstrated the potential of lactitol to relieve constipation by modulating the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that lactitol is an alternative to traditional laxatives and has potential as a health-promoting food sweetener.

Effects of dietary vitamin D3 and carbohydrate levels on growth performance, carbohydrate metabolism, and intestinal health of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

The study was performed to determine effects of vitamin D3 (VD3) and carbohydrate levels in the diets on growth, carbohydrate absorption and metabolism, and intestinal health of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Four groups of yellow catfish with an average weight of 4.12 ± 0.00 g were provided with diets containing varying proportions of VD3 and carbohydrate. These diets included two VD3 levels at 1000 IU/kg (basic VD3) and 16,100 IU/kg diet (high VD3), each containing carbohydrate levels of 25% and 35%, respectively. After analyzing dietary VD3 and carbohydrate contents, these groups were labeled as follows: the control (30.78% carbohydrates +1040 IU/kg), the VD3 group (30.67% carbohydrates +16,041 IU/kg), the high-carbohydrate group (HCD group, 39.65% carbohydrates +1017 IU/kg), and the HCD + VD3 group (39.67% carbohydrates +16,061 IU/kg). Each tank consisted of three replicates, with each replicate containing 30 fish. The experiment continued for 10 weeks. Compared with the control, HCD group reduced growth performance, the muscular layer thickness, the zonulae occludentes1 and 3 (zo1, zo3), junctional adhesion molecules 3a (jam3a), claudin1, occludin, phosphoglucomutase 1 (pgm1) mRNA expression, but increased intestinal villi height, glycogen content, glycogen synthase (gs), glycogen branching enzyme (gbe), sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 and 2 (sglt1, sglt2) and glucose transporter 2 (glut2) mRNA expression, solute carrier family 5 member 1 (SGLT1) protein expression, and dietary VD3 group alleviated HCD-induced variations of these indices mentioned above. Compared to the control, HCD group significantly suppressed pyruvate carboxylase b (pcxb), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck), interleukin10 (il10), NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2 (nrf2), superoxide dismutase 2 (sod2) and catalase 1 (cat1) mRNA expression, and also inhibited the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), but increased hexokinase 1 (hk1), glucokinase (gk), 1-phosphofructokinase (pfkb), interleukin 1β (il1β), interleukin 6 (il6), tumor necrosis factor a and β (tnfa, tnfβ) mRNA expression, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content; dietary VD3 group further suppressed gluconeogenic genes (pcxb, pepck) expression, but significantly enhanced the expression of glycolytic genes (hk1, gk, pfkp). Dietary VD3 also alleviated HCD-induced variations of these indices involved in antioxidant and inflammatory responses in yellow catfish intestine. Based on these results, our study indicated that dietary VD3 contributed to alleviate HCD-induced adverse effects on intestinal carbohydrate utilization and health. Our study also elucidated the innovative insights into the interaction of HCD and VD3 in fish, and provided the potential strategies for improving dietary carbohydrate utilization of fish via VD3 addition in aquafeeds. These findings can potentially contribute to cost savings for businesses and serve as a reference for optimizing feed formulations.

Evaluation of dietary Fe on juvenile mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort) in recirculating aquaponic system

In this study, we assessed the effects of dietary Fe level on the growth performance, nutritional status and health condition of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio var. specularis) (12.59 ± 1.73 g), production and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa var. ramosa Hort) in recirculating aquaponic system for a 60-day feeding trial. Five semi-purified diets with ferrous sulfate as the iron source were used in the feeding trail, which were: T1 (53.81 mg Fe/kg); T2 (118.83 mg Fe/kg); T3 (209.24 mg Fe/kg); T4 (328.44 mg Fe/kg); T5 (498.74 mg Fe/kg). The findings indicated the following: (1) The growth results showed that compare to other groups, the weight gain of mirror carp in Group T2 was the highest, and the feed conversion ratio was the lowest (P < 0.05). (2) The body composition results showed that muscle crude fat and crude protein of the mirror carp significantly increase in the T2 group compared to the T1 group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the C20:5n-3 levels in both the T2 and T3 groups were significantly higher than that of T1 group (P < 0.05). (3) Group T2 exhibited the highest liver superoxide dismutase activity, with significantly elevated catalase activity compared to the other groups (P < 0.05), and the liver malondialdehyde content in group T2 was significantly lower than the T4 and T5 groups (P < 0.05). (4) The morphological measurements of intestinal tissues in mirror carp showed that compared to Group T1 and Group T5, Group T2 exhibited the highest villus length and muscular layer thickness (P < 0.05). (5) The lowest yield of lettuce is in the T1group (3.35 kg/m2/month), and the highest yield (3.96 kg/m2/month) is in the T5 group, along with the highest chlorophyll and soluble sugar content (P < 0.05). (6) The T5 group had the highest nitrogen utilization efficiency (69.44%), while the T1 group had the lowest nitrogen utilization efficiency (58.37%). In addition, the different dietary iron levels did not adversely affect the water quality of the aquaponic systems. Based on the line regression analysis of weight gain and feed conversion ratio with feed iron content, it was found that the most suitable iron content in feed is 118.22–120.44 mg/kg, and the production and quality of lettuce will increase with the increase of feed iron content. According to the results of fish and vegetable growth, as well as nitrogen utilization efficiency, it is suggested that the dietary iron level in the feed of juvenile mirror carp utilized within aquaponic systems should ideally fall within the range of 120–200 mg/kg.

Bacillus subtilis and xylo-oligosaccharide ameliorates NaHCO3-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and autophagy by regulating intestinal microflora and PI3K/Akt pathway of crucian carp (Carassius auratus)

This study was to demonstrate that the alleviate effect of synbiotics (Bacillus subtilis and xylo-oligosaccharide) on NaHCO3-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and autophagy of crucian carp (Carassius auratus). In a 2×2 factorial design, crucian carp were divided into 4 groups, fed with diets contained two levels of synbiotics (0 and 1× 108 CFU/g) and treated with two levels of NaHCO3 (0 and 50 mmol/L) for 56 days. The results showed that NaHCO3 and synbiotics significantly affected intestinal fold height, permeability, the mRNA expression of tight junction, antioxidant capacity, immunity function (except LZM), inflammation response, the mRNA and protein expression of autophagy (except Beclin1 protein) and PI3K/Akt pathway (P<0.05). Intestinal muscular layer thickness, the levels of LZM and the protein expression of Beclin1 only affected by NaHCO3 (P<0.05). In addition, the interaction between NaHCO3 and synbiotics was observed for intestinal fold height, the mRNA expression of Claudin 4, Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, SOD, GPX4a, GPX4b, TNF-α, IL-6, PI3K, ATG5 and ATG7, the levels of ROS and ACP, the protein expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, ATG5, ATG7, Beclin1 and LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ (P<0.05). Additionally, this study highlights that the synbiotics facilitated the colonisation Bacillus and Cetobacterium, while concurrently inhibited the growth of Aeromonas in intestines. These findings suggested that dietary synbiotics (Bacillus subtilis and xylo-oligosaccharide) can effectively alleviated NaHCO3-induced intestinal dysfunction oxidative stress and autophagy by regulating intestinal microflora and PI3K/Akt pathway.

Impact of feeding native Caatinga pasture on the rumen histomorphometry of sheep raised in semi-extensive management.

In the northeastern region of Brazil, sheep and goat farming, encompassing around 20 million animals, is predominantly a subsistence activity. Forage quality plays a crucial role in animal productivity, posing a complex interplay between plant and animal aspects. The Caatinga biome, vital for livestock in the region, serves as a significant source for animal diet through pastures. This study aimed to conduct a histomorphometric evaluation of sheep rumens in a semi-extensive system, comparing those feeding on native Caatinga pastures to those on cultivated pastures. Histological processing followed standard protocols, with morphometry focusing on six viable rumen papillae and the submucosa and muscular layer thickness. Statistical correlation analysis revealed morphological differences in papillae across various rumen regions. Morphometric data indicated no significant difference in papillae area between the groups, with average values in Group A surpassing those in Group B, except for width. This study establishes a morphological and morphometric pattern for rumen regions linked to diet types-native or cultivated. The findings not only enhance understanding of the dietary foundation in the Caatinga's extensive system, but also contribute valuable insights for formulating nutritional strategies to enhance sheep production in the region. This research sheds light on the intricacies of forage-based animal nutrition, particularly in semi-extensive systems, offering a foundation for future studies and practices to optimise livestock management in the northeastern Brazilian context.

P410 Intraoperative Ultrasonography of the Small Bowel in the evaluation of resection margins during surgery for Crohn's Disease

Abstract Background Histological involvement of surgical resection margins in Crohn’s Disease (CD) is considered an important risk factor for disease recurrence after surgery. The extent of resection is currently left to preoperative investigations and surgeon's experience. Aim of the study is to evaluate usefulness of intra-operative ultrasonography (IOUS) of the small bowel to best identify the surgical site of resection and reduce the risk of histological involvement of resection margins. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CD (ileocaecal or ileal resections for first or repeated surgery) from April 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively enrolled (IOUS group). All patients underwent to IOUS through a small mini-laparotomy with a linear wireless probe performed by an expert gastroenterologist and the location of the proximal ileal resection was decided considering the absence of intraoperative small bowel ultrasonographic signs of CD (wall thickness, mucosal, submucosal and muscular layer thickness, echogenicity of the wall stratification and mesenteric fat). A control group from the historical cohort of patients undergoing the same surgical procedures was included; for whom the site of the proximal ileal resection was decided only on the basis of the absence of macroscopic signs of disease as usually assessed. To minimize the selection bias, a propensity score analysis was performed identifying a subgroup of the historical cohort (non-IOUS group) matched for location of disease and repeated surgery. The primary endpoint was histological involvement of the resection margins, judged positive in case of granulomas or signs of active ulcerative inflammation. Results 27 patients (59% male, mean age 39.3 y [SD 16.5], mean BMI 21.24 [SD 2.03]) were consecutively enrolled in the IOUS group. A 1:1 propensity score matching analysis was performed identifying 27 patients included in the non-IOUS group . The two groups were homogeneous in terms of gender, age, smoking, BMI, behavior of disease and surgical technique (laparoscopic or open technique). IOUS group presented a lower rate of histological positive margins compared to the non-IOUS group (18.5% vs 48.1% p = 0.021). No significant differences were found in terms of mean duration of surgery between the two groups (254.2 min vs 225 min [49.3-77.8]; p = 0.11) or in terms of mean length of surgical specimen (24.1 cm vs 34.1 cm [SD 13.5 -23.1]; p = 0.058) Conclusion IOUS of the small bowel appears to be a useful tool for IBD-surgeon in order to obtain a lower rate of histologically positive margins with a comparable duration of the surgery and no significant difference in length of the intestinal specimen.

Dietary encapsulated fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) essential oil supplementation improves performance, modifies the intestinal microflora, morphology, and transcriptome profile of broiler chickens.

Global antimicrobial resistance has led to a ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters (AGPs) in poultry farming, encouraging the use of natural phytogenic feed additives that provide similar effects to AGPs without causing resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the addition of encapsulated fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) essential oil (FEO) into the diets on the performance, intestinal microflora, morphology, and transcriptomic profiling of broiler chickens. In the study, 400 one-d-old male chicks of the Ross-308 genotype were randomly distributed into five groups, each with 16 replicates of five birds. The experiment included a control group fed on basal diets without the addition of FEO and treatment groups supplemented with 50 (FEO50), 100 (FEO100), 200 (FEO200), or 400 (FEO400) mg of encapsulated FEO/kg. Body weight and the European Production Efficiency Factor values were higher in the FEO100, FEO200, and FEO400 groups (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio significantly improved at all FEO levels (P < 0.05). FEO supplementation improved duodenum, jejunum, and ileum morphologies. It enhanced mucosal layer thickness in the duodenum and jejunum, and muscular layer thickness in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). It also increased the number of Lactobacillus spp. in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.05). According to the transcriptome profile obtained from the microarray analysis of samples taken from small intestine tissues, the mRNA expression levels of 261 genes in the FEO50 group (206 upregulated and 55 downregulated), 302 genes in the FEO100 group (218 upregulated and 84 downregulated), 292 genes in the FEO200 group (231 upregulated and 61 downregulated), and 348 genes in the FEO400 group (268 upregulated and 80 downregulated) changed compared to the control group. Most upregulated genes were associated with catalytic activity, binding, transcription regulators and transcription factors, anatomical structure and cellular development, and protein binding activity modulators. The downregulated genes mostly belonged to the transporter, carrier, and protein-modifying enzyme classes. Besides, the anti-inflammatory IL-10 gene (4.41-fold) increased significantly in the FEO100 group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, FEO improved the performance of broiler chickens by regulating biological processes such as performance and intestinal health, with the 100mg FEO/kg supplementation being the most prominent.

Effects of Sodium Acetate Supplementation on Growth, Hematologic and Plasma Biochemical Parameter, Lipid Deposition, and Intestinal Health of Juvenile Golden Pompano Trachinotus ovatus Fed High‐Lipid Diets

Experimental diets were formulated including the suitable lipid level (10%, PC), the high‐lipid level (16%, HL), and HL containing sodium acetate diets (HS). Three diets were fed golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) (initial body weight: 12.88 ± 0.03 g) for 8 weeks. The results showed HL diets significantly increased hepatosomatic index (HSI) and abdominal fat percentage (ASF), aggravated liver lipid deposition, and caused blood metabolic disorder and liver damage (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the fish fed HL diets significantly decreased intestinal villus number (VN) and muscular layer thickness (MLT) (P &lt; 0.05), accompanied with an increased trend in the relative abundance of intestinal pathogenic bacteria such as Mycoplasma and Photobacterium. However, the fish fed HS diets significantly decreased the HSI and AFP, relieved hepatic lipid deposition, improved blood and liver metabolism, and intestinal morphology in comparison to the fish fed HL diets (P &lt; 0.05). More importantly, sodium acetate addition improved intestinal microbiota by inhibiting the proportion of pathogens (Mycoplasma and Vibrio) and increasing the abundance of probiotics (Bacteroidales_S24-7_group_norank, Cetobacterium, Bacteroides, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group). Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between these bacteria (Mycoplasma, Vibrio, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Bacteroidales_S24-7_group_norank, Bacteroides, and Cetobacterium) and main physiological indices. In conclusion, sodium acetate improved blood performance, alleviated hepatic lipid deposition induced by HL diets, and boosted the growth and intestinal health for golden pompano.

Intestinal Enzymes and Lactid Acid Bacteria of Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) Fed Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae and Probiotics

This study aimed to determine the effect of probiotics on the intestinal digestive enzyme, morphology and total bacteria of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) fed maggot BSF (Hermetia illucens) larvae. The research was conducted using randomized design of two treatments (with probiotics and without probiotics) in three replications. Tilapia (average weight 70 g) were reared for 60 days with diet composition of commercial feed and black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae at 7:3, respectively. Oral probiotics (Lactococcus sp. JAL 37 and Bacillus sp. PCP 1 (107 cell/g feed) and water probiotic (Klebsiella sp. A2, 105 cell/ml) were administered in seven days interval. We found that administration of maggot BSF (Hermetia illucens) larvae provide no defects on the fish gut morphology. The probiotics application did not change the intestinal cellulose enzyme activity, as well as the intestinal histology parameters, such as villi length, muscular layer thickness and amount of goblet cells. However, the probiotic application significantly enhanced protease and lipase activity (p&lt;0,05), reduced total number of Aeromonas and enhanced total number of lactic acid bacteria (p&lt;0,05).

Effects of different combinations of koumine and gelsemine on growth performance, intestinal health, and transcriptome of Cyprinus carpio

Koumine (KM) and gelsemine (GS) have shown significant benefits in livestock production, but their potential in aquaculture remains largely unexplored. This study examined the impact of different KM and GS combinations as feed additives on C. carpio (90 fish per group, initial weight 1.95 ± 0.08 g). KM and GS were introduced in ratios of 2:2 (mg/kg), 2:1 (mg/kg), and 2:0.67 (mg/kg) over a 10-week aquaculture experiment. The results demonstrate that the 2:1 (mg/kg) group increases the villus length, muscular layer thickness, crude protein, and crude fat content. Regarding fatty acid content, KM and GS enhance the levels of various fatty acids, including the total saturated fatty acid and total monounsaturated fatty acid. Additionally, KM and GS improve the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota. The 2:1 (mg/kg) group significantly elevates the enzymatic activities of SOD, MDA, CAT and upregulates the expression of immune-related genes such as toll-like receptor 2, transforming growth factor β, and glutathione S-transferase. Transcriptomic analysis suggests that KM and GS may have potential benefits for nutrient utilization and immune regulation in C. carpio. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the use of KM and GS as feed additives in aquaculture.

Effects of dietary enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. in low fish meal diet on growth, antioxidation, metabolism and intestinal health of Micropterus salmoides

The excessive substitution of fish meal (FM) by Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) could reduce the growth performance and disrupt the intestinal structural integrity of Micropterus salmoides. In order to solve this problem, an eight-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary enzymatically treated Artemisia annua L. (EA) in low FM diet containing high-CAP on growth, antioxidation capacity, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and intestinal microbiota of M. salmoides. Six isonitrogenous and isolipid experimental diets were produced containing 0 g/kg, 0.25 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg, 2.0 g/kg and 4.0 g/kg of dietary EA, which were named EA0, EA0.25, EA0.5, EA1.0, EA2.0 and EA4.0, respectively. After the feeding trial, the weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly increased in EA0.25, EA0.5 and EA 1.0 groups compared to EA0 group. The digestive enzyme activities in stomach and intestine, and the villus width and muscular layer thickness of the intestine were increased by dietary EA. Dietary EA improved the antioxidation capacity and serum lipid level of M. salmoides. The expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1-c (srebp1-c), acetyl-coa carboxylase alpha (accα), fatty acid synthase (fan), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coa reductase (hmgcr) and accβ were significantly upregulated by 4.0 g/kg of dietary EA. The mRNA level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (pparα) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (cpt-1) were upregulated by 4.0 g/kg and 0.5 g/kg of dietary EA, respectively. Besides, the glucose content in serum was decreased by EA. The expressions of forkhead box o1 (foxo1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (pepck), fructose bisphosphatase (fbp), glucokinase (gk) and pyruvate kinase (pk) were significantly improved by 4.0 g/kg of dietary EA, and the level of phosphofructokinase (pfk) was upregulated by 0.5 g/kg of dietary EA. The addition of 0.5 g/kg of dietary EA could optimize beneficial Cetobacterium and reduce harmful Mycoplasmataceae abundances in intestine of M. salmoides. In summary, the appropriate amount of dietary EA could be added to the high-CAP diet to improve the growth performance, antioxidation, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, liver and intestinal health of M. salmoides. This study will provide scientific guidance for replacing FM with non-food proteins.

Effects of Stocking Density on Intestinal Health of Juvenile Micropterus salmoides in Industrial Aquaponics

Stocking density is a key factor affecting the health of aquatic organisms in industrial aquaponics. In this study, Micropterus salmoides were assigned to one of two density groups (160 and 120 fish/m3) for 40 days. The growth performance, intestinal morphology, enzyme activity, and microbial communities were compared between the two density groups. The findings revealed that the higher stocking density condition exhibited an increased weight gain rate and specific growth rate during the developmental phase of the juvenile M. salmoides. Moreover, remarkable increases in villi height, villi width, and muscular layer thickness were observed. Additionally, this elevated stocking density condition also enhanced the activity of intestinal antioxidant enzymes, consequently improving the structural integrity of the intestine and augmenting the digestive and absorptive capacities of the juvenile M. salmoides. With regard to the intestinal microbial community, the dominant phyla detected were Firmicutes and Proteobacteria. However, under the higher stocking density condition, there was a significant upsurge in the abundance of Mycoplasma. Consequently, it is advised to mitigate the abundance of such pathogenic microorganisms through the regulation of the water environment during the aquacultural process. Drawing from recent investigations on the impact of various factors on the intestinal microbiota of M. salmoides, it can be deduced that the composition of the intestinal microbiota is closely intertwined with factors including aquaculture practices, feed composition, water environment, and developmental stage. In summary, the aforementioned research findings possess noteworthy implications for the control of stocking density in the cultivation of juvenile M. salmoides.

Influence of Dietary Chitosan Supplementation on Growth Indicators, Nutrient Digestibility, Immunity, Cecal Microbiota, and Intestinal Morphology of Growing Male Rabbits

Abstract The present study aimed to assess the influence of dietary chitosan on production performance, nutrient digestibility, slaughter traits, immune function, cecal microbiota, and intestinal histomorphometry of growing rabbits for 56 days. In total, sixty New Zealand White male rabbits aged 35 days (574±7.26 g, mean ± SEM) were arbitrarily assigned to four dietary groups. The experimental diets were fortified with chitosan powder at 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg per kg diet, respectively. It was found that final weight, specific growth rate, daily weight gain, and feed: gain enhanced linearly (P&lt;0.05) with increasing chitosan levels in the diet. No significant differences were found for all slaughter traits, including hot carcass weight, carcass yield, and internal organ weights, besides carcass parts, including head, fore, intermediate and hind parts. Hematocrit percentage (linear, P = 0.024), serum lysozyme activity (linear, P = 0.004), immunoglobulin M, and complement C3 concentrations (linearly, P&lt;0.001) increased with increasing chitosan supplementation levels. The organic matter (P = 0.009), dry matter (P = 0.008), and nitrogen-free extract (P = 0.012) digestibilities were enhanced quadratically by dietary supplementation with chitosan. Cecal lactobacilli, E. coli, coliform and Salmonella spp. populations (linear, P&lt;0.05) decreased in response to chitosan supplementation. All the dietary chitosan levels increased villus width, villus length, and crypt depth (linear, P&lt;0.001), whereas muscular layer thickness decreased (linear, P=0.002). In summary, supplementing the diet of growing rabbits with chitosan can improve growth indicators, immunity, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal morphology, as well as reduce pathogenic cecal bacteria.

Nano-selenium impacts on growth performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant, immune resistance and histopathological scores of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus against Aspergillus flavus infection

The present study examined the impacts of varying amounts of selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) as a natural antioxidant and metabolic regulator on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, digestive enzymes and immune resistance of Oreochromis niloticus challenged to Aspergillus flavus infection. For 60 days, fish were fed the experimental diet of 30% crude protein up to apparent satiation three times a day. Se-NPs were added to the control diet at different levels of 0.0 (control), 0.5 (T1), 1.0 (T2) and 1.5 (T3) mg/kg diet to fed monosex Nile tilapia fingerlings with average initial weight (4.5 ± 0.5 g). Fish were randomly distributed in 12 tanks 100 L at a density of 20 fish per tank after 2-week acclimation to represent four treatments in triplicates. The results indicated that the growth indices, feed efficiency and survival rate were significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) by incorporating Se-NPs up to 1 mg/kg diet. Furthermore, the haemato-biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes activity and antioxidant capacity of the fish were significantly improved (P < 0.05) at T2. When the fish were challenged with Aspergillus flavus, a decreasing mortality rate was observed, which clearly shows that selenium nanoparticles boosted the fish’s immune response at T2. The intestinal morphology as villus length, villus width, muscular fibres layer thickness and absorption intestinal zone after challenged with A. flavus infection were considerably enhanced (P < 0.05) by incorporating all Se-NP levels. Histopathological score significantly improved (P < 0.05) for the hepatopancreatic, intestinal, gills and muscle tissues at T2. The present study concludes that selenium nanoparticles up to 1.0 mg/kg diet can be efficiently used in tilapia feed to help boost fish production, immune system response and histopathological parameters.

Glutamine improves growth and intestinal health in juvenile hybrid groupers fed high-dose glycinin

Glutamine addition can improve immunity and intestinal development in fish. This study examined the protective roles of glutamine on growth suppression and enteritis induced by glycinin in juvenile hybrid groupers (female Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × male Epinephelus lanceolatus). The experiment set four isonitrogenous and isolipidic trial diets: a diet containing 10% glycinin (11S), 10% of 11S diet supplemented with 1% or 2% alanine-glutamine (1% or 2% Ala-Gln), and a diet containing neither 11S nor Ala-Gln (FM). A feeding trial was conducted in hybrid grouper for 8 weeks. Weight gain and specific growth rates in Groups 1% and 2% Ala-Gln were significantly higher than those of the 11S group but were similar to those of the FM group. The intestinal muscular layer thickness, plica height and width of the 2% Ala-Gln group were significantly higher than those of Group 11S. The enterocyte proliferation efficiency of the 11S group was significantly lower compared to other groups. Compared with the 11S group, Groups 1% and 2% Ala-Gln fish had increased intestinal lysozyme activities, complement 3 and immunoglobulin M as well as cathelicidin contents. The mRNA levels of tnf-α, il-1β, ifn-α, and hsp70 genes were more downregulated in Groups 1% and 2% Ala-Gln than in Group 11S. Compared with FM group, fish from the 11S group had significantly lower mRNA levels of myd88, ikkβ, and nf-κb p65 genes. These three values in the 2% Ala-Gln group were significantly lower than those in Group 11S but not significantly different from those of Group FM. The relative abundance of Vibrio in Group 11S was higher than that in Groups FM and 2% Ala-Gln. Intestinal glutamine, glutaminase, glutamic acid, α-ketoglutarate, malate dehydrogenase and ATP contents were higher in Groups 1% and 2% Ala-Gln than in Group 11S. These results suggest that glutamine is a useful feed additive to enhance growth and intestinal immunity, alleviate inflammation, and modulate gut microbiota in hybrid grouper fed high-dose glycinin.

Comparison of the effects of probiotic-based formulations on growth, feed utilization, blood constituents, cecal fermentation, and duodenal morphology of rabbits reared under hot environmental conditions

Abstract The present study aimed to assess the effects of three probiotic-supplemented diets on growth, cecal fermentation, blood biochemical, and intestinal morphological features in growing rabbits reared under summer conditions. Rabbits were allotted into four groups: G1 rabbits were fed the basal diet (control), G2 rabbits received Enterococcus faecium (EF) and Clostridium butyricum (CB) complexes (1 × 108 and 2.5 × 106 cfu/kg diet, respectively), G3 rabbits were given CB (2.5 × 106 cfu/kg diet) and yeast complexes (1 g/kg diet), and G4 rabbits received EF (2 × 108 cfu/kg diet) and yeast (1 g/kg diet). G2 rabbits exhibited the highest performances in terms of enhanced body weight and weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed conversion ratio (P&lt;0.05). Serum total protein, globulin, immunoglobulin M, and highdensity lipoprotein concentrations were higher in probiotic-fed rabbits than those in controls. Additionally, lipid profile parameters were significantly reduced in the probiotic-fed rabbits, with the lowest concentrations measured in G4 rabbits (P&lt;0.05). Rabbits given EF and CB had the highest total volatile fatty acid (VFA ) and propionic acid levels and the lowest ammonia concentrations. Increased villi length and muscular layer thickness and reduced crypt depth were observed in rabbits receiving EF and CB compared with the values obtained in controls (P&lt;0.05). In summary, supplementing fattening rabbit diets with EF and CB, as a novel formulation, might be a promising and easy method to enhance growth performance under hot climate conditions by improving the feed utilization, immune response, serum lipid profile, cecal VFA production, and duodenal morphology.

Evaluation of Yeast Hydrolysate in a Low-Fishmeal Diet for Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

An eight-week feeding trial was performed to evaluate the effects of yeast hydrolysate (YH) supplementation in a low-fishmeal diet on the growth, immune responses, intestinal histology and disease resistance of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Five experimental diets were produced by supplementing YH at 0 (CON), 0.5 (YH0.5), 1 (YH1), 2 (YH2) and 4 (YH4) % to a basal diet containing 10% fishmeal and compared with a positive control with 25% fishmeal (FM25). Shrimp with an initial average weight of 0.43 ± 0.005 g (mean ± SD) were stocked in 18 tanks and fed the experimental diets (38% protein and 8% lipid) four times a day. Results showed that shrimp fed the FM25 diet exhibited significantly higher final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio than those fed CON, YH0.5, YH1 and YH2 diets (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between shrimp fed the YH4 and FM25 diets (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no significant differences in whole-body proximate composition, hemolymph biochemical parameters and non-specific immune responses among treatments. Intestinal villi length and muscular layer thickness of shrimp fed the YH4 and FM25 diets were significantly higher than the other groups. At the end of the bacterial (Vibrio parahaemolyticus) challenge test, shrimp fed YH4 and FM25 diets showed a significantly higher survival rate than those of shrimp fed CON, YH0.5 and YH1 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that supplementing 4% YH in diet containing 10% fishmeal could beneficially influence growth, intestinal morphology and disease resistance of whiteleg shrimp.

Effect of chitosan on common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry growth performance, feed utilization and nutriphysiological status

The aim of research was to analyse the impact of chitosan supplementation (1% and 2% doses) on the nutriphysiological status (selected blood biochemical indicators, the microstructure of the intestine and liver and the mineral profile in the meat of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fry (average 63 ± 4.9 g). The experiment was carried out with four replications per treatment, with 48 fish per tank in an open flow system. The average water temperature during the experiment was 20.7 °C, with a range from 18.0° to 22.8°C. The average water dissolved oxygen level was 4.6 mg dm−3 with a range of 4.0–6.2 mg dm−3. Experimental diets contained crude protein (37.5%) and crude fat (8.9%). There were no statistically significant differences between groups within the analysed growth and feed utilization parameters. As the blood analysis showed, chitosan supplementation significantly influenced (P < 0.05) the levels of total cholesterol (TCH), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P). The 2% chitosan led to a reduction in the Fe level in the meat, and dietary supplementation with chitosan at both doses caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the concentration of Cu in this tissue. This confirms the properties of chitosan as a dietary fibre that inhibits the absorption of Fe in the intestine by reducing its bioavailability for mucosal cells. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in crypt depth and muscular layer thickness was observed with the increase in dietary chitosan. Histopathological examination of the liver showed significant differences in hepatocyte vacuolization between groups supplemented with 2% chitosan and the control. Only mild to moderate pathological changes and no severe pathological changes were observed between the experimental groups. The obtained results indicate that the chitosan used in the experiment showed both prebiotic and dietary fibre properties.