Villus Length Research Articles

Polystyrene nanoparticles aggravate the adverse effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on different segments of intestine in mice

Emerging evidence indicates that nanoplastics (NPs) can transport organic pollutants such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) into organisms and induce adverse health effects. Nevertheless, the toxic effects of NPs combined with DEHP on mammalian intestine are still unclear. In this study, the C57BL6J mice were exposed to polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs), DEHP or them both for 30 days to determine their effects on different segments of intestine and the gut microbiota. As a result, DEHP alone or co-exposure to DEHP and PSNPs induced histological damages in all intestinal parts, mainly manifested as the decreased villus lengths, increased crypt depths in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and decreased villus counts accompanied with decreased epithelial area in the colon. Moreover, decreased mucus coverage, down-regulated Muc2 expression levels as well as the broken tight junctions were observed in intestinal epithelium of mice, particularly obvious in the co-treatment groups. In general, as manifested by greater alterations in most of the parameters mentioned above, simultaneously exposed to PSNPs and DEHP seemed to induce enhanced toxic effects on intestine of mouse when compared with DEHP alone. Furthermore, the altered community composition of gut microbiota might at least partially contribute to these abnormalities. Overall, our results highlight the aggravated toxicity on different segments of intestine in mammalians due to co-exposure of PSNPs and DEHP, and these findings will provide valuable insights into the health risk of NPs and plastic additives.

Transition milk stimulates intestinal development of neonatal Holstein calves

Colostrum stimulates gastrointestinal development. Similar to colostrum, transition milk (TM; the first few milkings after colostrum) contains elevated nutrient levels and bioactive components not found in milk replacer (MR), albeit at lower levels than the first colostrum. We hypothesized that feeding neonatal calves TM, compared with MR, for 4 d following colostrum at birth would further stimulate intestinal development. Holstein bull calves were fed 2.8 L of colostrum within 20 min of birth, allocated to 1 of 11 blocks based on birth date and body weight (BW), randomly assigned to MR (n = 12) or TM (n = 11) treatments within block, and fed treatments 3 times per day. Milk from milkings 2, 3, and 4 (TM) of cows milked 2 times daily was pooled by milking number and fed at 1.89 L per feeding; milking 2 was fed at feedings 2 through 5, milking 3 at feedings 6 through 8, and milking 4 at feedings 9 through 12. TM was not pasteurized and contained 17% solids, 5% fat, 7% protein, 4% lactose, and 20 g of IgG per liter on average, whereas MR (as fed) contained 15% solids, 4% protein, 3% fat, 6% carbohydrate, and no IgG. Refusals were similar, so calves fed TM consumed 1.0 Mcal of metabolizable energy per day more than those fed MR. On the morning of d 5, calves were injected i.v. with 5 mg of bromodeoxyuridine per kg of BW and slaughtered 130 min later; then, intestinal sections were excised. Feeding TM, instead of MR, doubled villus length, villus width, villus to crypt ratio, and mucosal length in all intestinal sections, increased submucosal thickness 70% in the proximal and mid jejunum, and tended to increase submucosal thickness in duodenum and ileum. Mucosal surface area was also increased in both the ileum and mid jejunum when feeding TM by 19 and 36%, respectively. Treatment did not alter crypt depth. Bromodeoxyuridine labeling was increased 50% by TM compared with MR in the cells along the epithelium of the crypts and within the villi of all sections, indicating that TM increased cell proliferation compared with MR. Calves fed TM gained more BW than calves fed MR and had improved cough, fecal, nose, and ear scores. We conclude that feeding TM for 4 d following an initial feeding of colostrum stimulates villus, mucosal, and submucosal development in all sections of the small intestine in the first few days of life and improves health and growth.

Induction of leaky gut by repeated intramuscular injections of indomethacin to preweaning Holstein calves

This study was designed to develop a protocol for repeated intramuscular indomethacin injections to replicate leaky-gut-like symptoms in male Holstein calves to model and study the detrimental effects of leaky gut on gut tissue function and inflammatory response. A generalized randomized block design was used to evaluate how repeated indomethacin intramuscular injections affected the development of leaky gut in 18 male Holstein calves. Animals were enrolled at 3 ± 1 d of life, and after 21 d of adaptation, they were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments consisting of intramuscular saline or indomethacin injections every 12 h for 48 h: (1) control (CTL), saline injection, (2) low intramuscular indomethacin (INDO-L) dosed at 1.2 mg/kg of body weight (BW), and (3) high intramuscular indomethacin (INDO-H) dosed at 2.4 mg/kg of BW. During the challenge, milk intake, starter intake, fecal scores, and rectal temperature were measured daily, and BW was measured at the beginning and at the end of the challenge. Plasma samples were used to measure the recovery of markers of intestinal permeability before and after the challenge by dosing lactulose, d-mannitol, and chromium-EDTA. In addition, several cytokines were measured in plasma during the challenge. Calves were dissected at the end of the challenge to obtain tissue and digesta samples from the gastrointestinal tract and liver. No treatment differences were observed for starter and milk intakes, fecal scores, BW, and rectal temperature. The difference in marker concentrations between pre and post challenges was higher for INDO calves compared with CTL calves in the case of lactulose and chromium-EDTA. In addition, chemokine ligand 2 and 4 and IL-6 were higher for INDO-H calves compared with CTL. Both doses of indomethacin resulted in reductions in villus length and surface area in the distal jejunum and ileum and reductions in crypt depth and width in the colon. We showed that repeated indomethacin injections over a 48-h period induced leaky-gut-like symptoms in a region-specific manner, affecting mainly the distal section of the intestine. This outcome was characterized by histomorphological changes in the distal jejunum, ileum, and colon and by increased gut permeability. Interestingly, changes in liver morphology and immune function also occurred, possibly due to the increased translocation of foreign antigens breaching the epithelial cell wall. The leaky gut challenge model described here could be used to improve understanding of the pathogenesis of intestinal disorders in cattle and provide a reliable alternative for testing feed additives with intestinal health benefits.

58-LB: Antidiabetic Effects of Pediococcus acidilactici pA1c on HFD-Induced Mice

Prediabetes (PreD) , which is associated with impaired glucose tolerance and fasting blood glucose, is a potential risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) . Growing evidence suggests the role of the gastrointestinal microbiota in both PreD and T2D, which opens the possibility for a novel nutritional approach, based on probiotics, for improving glucose regulation and delaying disease progression of PreD to T2D. In this light, the present study aimed to assess the antidiabetic properties of Pediococcus acidilactici pA1c (pA1c) in a murine model of high-fat diet (HFD) -induced T2D. For that purpose, C57BL/6 mice were given HFD enriched with either probiotic (1×10E10 CFU/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. We determined body weight, fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β index, C-peptide, GLP-1, leptin, and lipid profile. We also measured hepatic gene expression (G6P, PEPCK, GCK, IL-1β, and IL-6) and ex-amined pancreatic and intestinal histology (% of GLP-1+ cells, % of goblet cells and villus length) . We found that pA1c supplementation significantly attenuated body weight gain, mitigated glucose dysregulation by reducing fasting blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance test, leptin levels, and insulin resistance, increased C-peptide and GLP-1 levels, enhanced pancreatic function, and improved intestinal histology. These findings indicate that pA1c improved HFD-induced T2D derived insulin resistance and intestinal histology, as well as protected from body weight increase. Together, our study proposes that pA1c may be a promising new dietary management strategy to improve metabolic disorders in PreD and T2D. Disclosure M. Cabello: None. M. Oneca: Employee; GENBIOMA APLICACIONES SL. M. J. Pajares: None. J. Ayo: Board Member; Genbioma Aplicaciones S. L., Employee; Genbioma Aplicaciones S. L. I. J. Encío: Other Relationship; Genbioma Aplicaciones SL. M. Araña: None. M. Barajas: None. Funding Government of Navarre (Ref 0011-1365-2020-000290) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) . Maria Oneca is supported by Torres-Quevedo grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and innovation (Ayudas para contratos Torres Quevedo PTQ2019-010384/AEI/10.13039/501100011033)

Responses of growth, blood health, pro-inflammatory cytokines genes, intestine and liver histology in Red Seabream (Pagrus major) to camelina meal

The current work assessed the inclusion impacts of oilseed camelina meal (CM) as a protein source in red sea bream (Pagrus major) diets. A 45 day assessment period with 180 juveniles (6.47 ± 0.17 g) were allocated in triplicates to 4 experimental groups and fed formulated diets in which fish meal (FM) was subrogated at graded series of 0% (T1), 20.5% soybean meal (T2), 20.5% camelina meal (T3), and 33% camelina meal (T4). No noticeable alterations were observed in specific growth rate, feed intake, survival rate, hepatosomatic index, and Fulton's condition factor among the experimental groups. Fish fed the T4 diet showed considerably reduced (P < 0.05) final weight and body protein content when compared to those fed T2, T3, and basal diets. Plasma biochemical parameters show no differences (P > 0.05) in glucose, total bilirubin, total protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvate transaminase. Hematocrit levels decreased noticeably (P < 0.05) in fish groups fed camelina meal in comparison to the control group. Liver and intestinal histology showed a healthy status and an increase in villus length and goblet cell number in camelina groups. Fish fed the T4 diet displayed higher expression levels (P < 0.05) of relative mRNA interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to other groups. The inclusion of camelina meal (up to 20%) in red sea bream diets produced similar outcomes to specimens fed fish meal and soybean meal.

A crosstalk between gut and brain in sepsis-induced cognitive decline

BackgroundSepsis is a potentially fatal disease characterized by acute organ failure that affects more than 30 million people worldwide. Inflammation is strongly associated with sepsis, and patients can experience impairments in memory, concentration, verbal fluency, and executive functioning after being discharged from the hospital. We hypothesize that sepsis disrupts the microbiota–gut–brain axis homeostasis triggering cognitive impairment. This immune activation persists during treatment, causing neurological dysfunction in sepsis survivors.MethodsTo test our hypothesis, adult Wistar rats were subjected to cecal–ligation and perforation (CLP) or sham (non-CLP) surgeries. The animals were subjected to the [11C]PBR28 positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging at 24 h and 10 days after CLP and non-CLP surgeries. At 24 h and 10 days after surgery, we evaluated the gut microbiome, bacterial metabolites, cytokines, microglia, and astrocyte markers. Ten days after sepsis induction, the animals were subjected to the novel object recognition (NOR) and the Morris water maze (MWM) test to assess their learning and memory.ResultsCompared to the control group, the 24-h and 10-day CLP groups showed increased [11C]PBR28 uptake, glial cells count, and cytokine levels in the brain. Results show that sepsis modulates the gut villus length and crypt depth, alpha and beta microbial diversities, and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). In addition, sepsis surviving animals showed a significant cognitive decline compared with the control group.ConclusionsSince several pharmacological studies have failed to prevent cognitive impairment in sepsis survivors, a better understanding of the function of glial cells and gut microbiota can provide new avenues for treating sepsis patients.

Ameliorative effect of nanocurcumin and Saccharomyces cell wall alone and in combination against aflatoxicosis in broilers

BackgroundThe adverse effect of aflatoxin in broilers is well known. However, dietary supplementation of Saccharomyces cell wall and/or Nanocurcumin may decrease the negative effect of aflatoxin B1 because of the bio-adsorbing feature of the functional ingredients in Yeast Cell Wall and the detoxification effect of curcumin nanoparticles. The goal of this study was to see how Saccharomyces cell wall/Nanocurcumin alone or in combination with the aflatoxin-contaminated diet ameliorated the toxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on broiler development, blood and serum parameters, carcass traits, histology, immune histochemistry, liver gene expression, and aflatoxin residue in the liver and muscle tissue of broilers for 35 days. Moreover, the withdrawal time of aflatoxin was measured after feeding the aflatoxicated group an aflatoxin-free diet. Broiler chicks one day old were distributed into five groups according to Saccharomyces cell wall and/or nanocurcumin with aflatoxin supplementation. The G1 group was given a formulated diet without any supplements. The G2 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) in the formulated diet. The G3 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and Saccharomyces cell wall (1 kg/ton diet) in the formulated diet. The G4 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and nanocurcumin (400 mg/kg) in the formulated diet. The G5 group was supplemented with aflatoxin (0.25 mg/kg diet) and Saccharomyces cell wall (1 kg/ton diet) in combination with nanocurcumin (200 mg/kg) in the formulated diet.ResultsAccording to the results of this study, aflatoxin supplementation had a detrimental impact on the growth performance, blood and serum parameters, carcass traits, and aflatoxin residue in the liver and muscle tissue of broilers. In addition, aflatoxin supplementation led to a liver injury that was indicated by serum biochemistry and pathological lesions in the liver tissue. Moreover, the shortening of villi length in aflatoxicated birds resulted in a decrease in both the crypt depth ratio and the villi length ratio. The expression of CYP1A1 and Nrf2 genes in the liver tissue increased and decreased, respectively, in the aflatoxicated group. In addition, the aflatoxin residue was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased in the liver tissue of the aflatoxicated group after 2 weeks from the end of the experiment.ConclusionSaccharomyces cell wall alone or with nanocurcumin attenuated these negative effects and anomalies and improved all of the above-mentioned metrics.

Growth performance, fatty acid profile, gut, and muscle histo-morphology of Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides post larvae fed short-term host associated probiotics

Host associated probiotics (HAPs) provide health benefits to the host when administered as dietary supplement. However, a short-term probiotics application strategy has yet to be optimized. A 90-days study was conducted to evaluate the response of Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides post larvae fed with basal diet enriched HAPs for 30-days, and its response following another 60-days feeding with only basal diet. Three experimental diets (Enterococcus faecalis strain 2674 (T1), Aeromonas sp. strain A8-29 (T2) and E. faecalis strain FC11682 (T3)) were prepared by spray-coating each HAPs on a basal diet at 1 × 108 CFU/g feed. Differences in growth performances, whole-body proximate and fatty acid composition, muscle morphometry, and gut morphology were evaluated. Results showed that after 30 days, T3 fish produced highest growth. All HAP treatment groups showed better muscle distribution profile, improved fatty acid composition, and higher villus length, width and area, than control group. After 90 days, the growth of T3 fish was still the highest. Muscle distribution profile and villus growth were higher in HAP treatments, although only total n-6 PUFA, total MUFA, linoleic acids, and linolenic acids in HAP treated fish remained high after probiotics withdrawal. No difference in whole-body proximate composition was observed in both 30 and 90 days. Collective findings demonstrated that short-term application of HAPs at an early stage could be used to boost T. tambroides growth, with E. faecalis strain FC11682 showing the best efficacy.

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.

Oral Intake of Slowly Digestible α-Glucan Such as Resistant Maltodextrin Leads to Increased Secretion of Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 in Rats and Helps Thicken Their Ileal Mucosae.

To investigate whether the oral intake of slowly digestible α-glucan (SDG) could have a trophic (i.e., thickening) effect on their ileal mucosae, for 10 d, rats were given control (non-SDG), 10% isomaltodextrin (IMD) or 10% resistant maltodextrin (RMD) diets. In addition, experimental rat groups were further divided into two groups each and their diets either had or had not 1% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) added as a thickening agent. In the jejuna and the ilea, compared with control rats, the villus length and the mucosal thickness, but not the crypt depth, were significantly greater in the RMD-fed rats, with the trophic effect being weaker in the IMD-fed rats than in the RMD-fed rats. The colonic crypt depth was significantly greater in SDG groups than in the control group. The concentration of plasma glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-2 in the portal veins of the RMD group but not the IMD group was significantly higher than in the control group, with no effect of CMC supplementation on its concentration. The concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids did not significantly increase with SDG supplementation except for propionate concentration of the IMD-supplemented rats, compared with those in the control rats. We concluded that SDGs, especially RMD, thickened the mucosae of the rat distal small intestines. In particular, this effect of RMD but not IMD could have resulted from increased glucose available as a secretagogue of the trophic hormone GLP-2, in the ileum.

Dietary ε-Polylysine Affects on Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites Profiling in Mice.

Given the antibacterial effects of ε-polylysine acting on cell membranes, and that glycerol phospholipids are important components of the cell membrane, we hypothesized that ε-polylysine may regulate glycerophospholipid metabolism by modifying the gut microbiota. To test this hypothesis, we treated post-weaning C57 mice with different levels of ε-polylysine (0, 300, 600, and 1,200 ppm) in their basic diet. The growth performance and morphology of intestine were then determined. Modification of the gut microbiota and their function were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing. Metabolite identification was performed using the LC-MS method. The results showed that body weight decreased with an increasing supplemental level of ε-polylysine from 5 to 7 weeks (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed after 8 weeks (P > 0.05). Supplementation with 1,200 ppm ε-polylysine changed the morphology of the jejunum and ileum, increased the villus length, decreased the crypt depth of the jejunum, and decreased the villus length and crypt depth of the ileum (P < 0.05). ε-Polylysine shifted the intestine microbiota by changing alpha diversity (Chao 1, observed species, Shannon, and Simpson indices) and varied at different times. ε-polylysine decreased Firmicutes and increased Bacteroidetes at 4 week, but increased Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidetes at 10 week. ε-Polylysine regulated genera associated with lipid metabolism such as Parabacteroides, Odoribacter, Akkermansia, Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, Collinsella, Ruminococcaceae, and Intestinimonas. During the adult period, the genera Alistipes, Lachnospiraceae UCG-001, and Streptomyces were positively associated with PC, PE, LysoPC, LysoPE, 1-Arachidonoylglycerophosphoinositol and OHOHA-PS (R > 0.6, P < 0.001), but changes in Blautia, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Odoribacter, Allobaculum, Ruminococcaceae UCG-004, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, and Lachnospiraceae UCG-010 were negatively correlated with glycerophospholipid metabolites (R < −0.6, P < 0.001). The abundance of glycerophospholipid metabolites, including PC, PE, lysoPC, and lysoPE, were decreased by ε-polylysine. Furthermore, ε-polylysine reduced the incidence of the genera including Ruminococcus, Prevotella, Prevotellaceae, Butyricimonas, and Escherichia-Shigella and reduced the abundance of Faecalibaculum, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002. In conclusion, ε-polylysine modified gut microbiota composition and function while also restraining pathogenic bacteria. The glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway and associated metabolites may be regulated by intestinal bacteria.

Effects of phenylpyruvate on the growth performance and intestinal microbiota in broiler chicken

ABSTRACT 1. The purpose of this study was to see how dietary supplementation with phenylpyruvate affected broiler growth, slaughter performance, gut health microbiota and immunity. This information can be used to develop alternative approaches to antibiotic replacement in modern poultry production and health. 2. A total of 288, one-day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned to one of four groups (six replicates each replicate has 12 chickens). A control basal diet (NC), basal diet plus antibiotic virginiamycin 15ppm (PC), basal diet plus phenylpyruvate 1 kg/t or 2 kg/t, respectively (LCP and HCP). 3. Results showed that the birds in the PC group had higher ADFI during the first 21 d, and better FCR than the NC group. The HCP-fed group had a higher all-eviscerated ratio than the NC group and less abdominal fat than the birds fed LCP. The birds fed HCP had increased villus length and crypt depth in the ileum compared to the NC group. 4. The bursa index was lower in the HCP group whereas the thymus index was lower in LCP and PC groups. In contrast, birds fed HCP has lower pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1, as well as lower TLR4. Phenylpyruvate improved number in the Selenomonadaceae, genus Megamonas bacteroides spp., which are known for their beneficial effects on the maintenance of the cell surface structure, regulating aromatic amino acids and Clostridia jejuni-suppressive treatment respectively. 5. It was concluded that phenylpyruvate can be utilised in feed to improve growth performance and positively modulate gut microbiota. However, this was less efficient than antibiotics in improving growth performance, although more efficient in improving productive performance and gut morphology. Moreover, a high dose of phenylpyruvate is more effective than a low dose.

Effects of acid-hydrolyzed soybean meal on growth performance, jejunal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, nutrient utilization, and intestinal microbial population in broiler chickens.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of soybean meal (SBM) treated with acetic or citric acids on growth performance, microbial population, digestive enzyme activities, nutrient digestibility, and jejunal morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 350 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into 7 experimental groups with 5 replicates per each. Experimental treatments were diets containing untreated SBM (control) and SBM treated with two acid sources and their concentrations including 5, 10, and 15% acetic acid (A1, A2, and A3) or 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75% citric acid (C1, C2, and C3). Results showed that trypsin inhibitors and lectins as the main SBM anti-nutrients significantly reduced in acid-treated SBM compared with untreated SBM (P < 0.05). During 1-24days, body weight gain increased in chicks fed the C2 diet (P < 0.05). Feeding of the C2 diet increased feed intake compared with A1, A2, and C3 groups (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio improved in chicks fed with C2, C3, and A2 diets compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The greatest villus length, villus length to crypt depth ratio, and villus surface area were observed in the C2 diet (P < 0.05). A significant increase in protease and lipase activity was found in broilers which received a C2 diet compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed with the C2 diet had a higher organic matter and crude protein digestibility than the chicks which received the control diet (P < 0.05) and dry matter digestibility was the lowest in broilers fed with the A3 diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the acid hydrolyzing process had a beneficial effect on the nutritional value of SBM. In addition, data showed that acid-hydrolyzed SBM had the potential to exert positive influences on growth performance, jejunal morphology, and nutrient utilization in broiler chickens.

Effects of the In Ovo Injection of Vitamin D3 and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 in Ross 708 Broilers Subsequently Challenged with Coccidiosis: II Immunological and Inflammatory Responses and Small Intestine Histomorphology.

Simple SummaryVitamin D3 sources serve as immunomodulators and improve intestinal morphology, which can promote broiler performance. The in ovo injection of vitamin D3 sources has been shown to enhance immunity as well as histomorphological variables in unchallenged conditions. One of the main diseases affecting poultry production is coccidiosis. Because of this, the current study was designed to determine the effects vitamin D3 (D3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) alone or together on the inflammatory reaction and small intestine morphology of broilers that were challenged with coccidiosis. In this study, it is shown that the in ovo administration of 2.4 μg of 25OHD3 alone increased villus length to crypt depth ratio (VCR) with the D3 + 25OHD3 treatment being intermediate two weeks post-challenge (28 day of age). Furthermore, chickens that received of 25OHD3 alone experienced lower plasma nitric oxide concentration as a systemic inflammatory indicator in comparison to all other treatments. It is concluded that the in ovo injection of 2.4 μg of 25OHD3 at 18 days of incubation can enhance intestinal histomorphology as well as inflammatory reaction of broilers when infected with coccidiosis.In broilers challenged with coccidiosis, effects of in ovo vitamin D3 (D3) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) administration on their inflammatory response and small intestine morphology were evaluated. At 18 d of incubation (doi), a 50 μL volume of the following 5 in ovo injection treatments was administrated: non-injected (1) and diluent injected (2) controls, or diluent injection containing 2.4 μg D3 (3) or 2.4 μg 25OHD3 (4), or their combination (5). Four male broilers were randomly allocated to each of eight isolated replicate wire-floored battery cages at hatch, and birds were challenged at 14 d of age (doa) with a 20x live coccidial vaccine dosage. One bird from each treatment–replicate (40 birds in each of 8 replicates per treatment) was bled at 14 and 28 doa in order to collect blood for the determination of plasma IL-1β and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations. The duodenum, jejunum, and ilium from those same birds were excised for measurement of villus length, crypt depth, villus length to crypt depth ratio (VCR), and villus surface area. In ovo injection of 2.4 μg of 25OHD3 resulted in a reduction in plasma NO levels as compared to all other treatments at 28 doa. Additionally, duodenal VCR increased in response to the in ovo injection of 25OHD3 when compared to the diluent, D3 alone, and the D3 + 25OHD3 combination treatments at two weeks post-challenge (28 doa). Therefore, it can be concluded that 2.4 μg of 25OHD3, when administrated in ovo at 18 doi, may be used to decrease the inflammatory reaction as well as to enhance the small intestine morphology of broilers during a coccidiosis challenge.

Condensed tannins protect against aflatoxin B1-induced toxicity in Lateolabrax maculatus by restoring intestinal integrity and regulating bacterial microbiota

Condensed tannins (CT) have been shown to enhance the exogenous stress resistance of fish, whereas the protective effects of CT against damage induced by dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the growth and health of fish have not been evaluated. A 56-day feeding trial was carried out to assess the effects of CT on alleviating dietary AFB1-induced damages in growth, antioxidant and immune response, intestinal integrity and bacterial microbiota of the Chinese sea bass (Lateolabrax maculatus). Three diets were formulated to contain 0 mg/kg of AFB1 and 0 g/kg of CT (G1), 1 mg/kg of AFB1 and 0 g/kg of CT (G2), and 1 mg/kg of AFB1 and 1 g/kg of CT (G3), respectively. Each diet was randomly assigned to three tanks with 40 fish in each tank. Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Results indicated that fish fed G2 had lower (P < 0.05) final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, feed intake, viscerosomatic index, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme, but higher (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde, diamine oxidase and lipopolysaccharide compared to those of fish fed G1 and G3. Fish fed G3 had higher (P < 0.05) villus length and intestinal tight junction protein gene expression (ZO-1, Claudin-3 and Occludin), but lower (P < 0.05) villus width than G2. Fish had similar growth performance, serum parameters and intestinal morphology between G1 and G3. In the top 10 dominant genera of intestinal microbiota, the relative abundance of Pseudomonas was higher in G2 but lower in G3 than in G1 (P < 0.05). Compared with G1, G2 and G3 had higher relative abundances of Aeromonas and Klebsiella, but lower relative abundance of Plesiomonas (P < 0.05). Dietary treatments did not alter the alpha and beta diversity of bacterial communities. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of 1 mg/kg of AFB1 reduced feed intake and decreased growth of L. maculatus. AFB1 reduced serum antioxidant capacity and immunity, increased intestinal permeability, induced intestinal damage and altered bacterial microbiota of fish. Supplementation of 1 g/kg of grape seed CT effectively protected against AFB1 toxicity by alleviating the negative impacts of dietary AFB1 exerted on fish. This study provides a rational for the application of CT in aquaculture to prevent fish from AFB1-induced damage.

Effect of sage (Salvia officinalis L.) extract in antioxidant status and intestinal morphology of pulmonary hypertensive chickens.

The effects of dietary sage on the growth performance, antioxidant status, intestinal mucosa morphology, and pulmonary hypertensive response were investigated in broiler chickens with pulmonary hypertension. Chicks (Ross 308) were reared under cold stress for 35 days and treated with 0.05% vitamin C (positive control) and 0 (control), 0.1 or 0.2% sage extracts, then performance, oxidant and antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology were evaluated. The index of pulmonary hypertension (RV:TV) was decreased, and weight gain (days 22-35) was increased in all treatments (except for sage 0.1%) compared with control (P<0.05). Lipid peroxidation was decreased, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPX, CAT, and SOD) was increased in the sage 0.2% group compared with control (P<0.05). In the lung, SOD, CAT, and GPX transcripts were decreased in the sage 0.2% group compared with control (P<0.05). In the right ventricle of the heart, SOD and CAT transcripts were increased in the sage 0.2% group compared with other groups of chickens, whereas GPX transcript was decreased (P<0.05). The jejunal villus length in the chickens fed sage was significantly lower than in control (P<0.05). The ileal villus width, villus surface area, and lamina proporia thickness in the chickens fed sage (0.2%) were increased compared with control (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation of sage (0.2%) could modulate pulmonary hypertensive response, improve antioxidant status (enzymatic activity), intestinal morphometry, and absorptive surface in the broiler chickens.

Immune-antioxidant trait, Aeromonas veronii resistance, growth, intestinal architecture, and splenic cytokines expression of Cyprinus carpio fed Prunus armeniaca kernel-enriched diets

Currently, the intervention of plant by-products in the fish diet has gained tremendous attention owing to the economic and high nutritious value. The current study is a pioneer attempt to incorporate the apricot, Prunus armeniaca kernel powder (PAKP) into the Common carp, Cyprinus carpio diets, and assess its efficacy on growth, digestion, intestinal morphology, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and splenic cytokines expression, besides the antibacterial role against Aeromonas veronii infection. Apparently healthy fish (N = 120) with an initial body weight of 24.76 ± 0.03g were allotted in 12 glass aquaria (60 L) and randomly distributed into four groups (triplicates, 10 fish/aquarium). The control group (PAKP0) was fed a basal diet without additives. The second, third, and fourth groups were provided PAKP diets with various concentrations (2.5 (PAKP2.5), 5 (PAKP5), and 10 g kg−1 (PAKP10)) respectively. After 60 days (feeding trial), sub-samples of the fish (12 fish/group) were intraperitoneally injected with 1 × 107 CFU mL−1 of A. veronii. Results revealed that body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rates were significantly augmented in the PAKP10 group in comparison to the other groups. The dietary inclusion of PAKP at all concentrations boosted the digestive capacity and maintained the intestinal morphology (average villus length, villus width, and goblet cells count) with a marked improvement in PAKP10. Moreover, fish fed on PAKP10 followed by PAKP5 then PAKP2.5 diets had noticeably elevated values of immunological biomarkers (IgM, antiprotease, and lysozyme activity) and antioxidant capabilities (the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione) as well as significant up-regulation of immune and antioxidant-related genes (TGF-β2, TLR-2, TNF-α, IL-10, SOD, GPx, and GSS). Fourteen days post-infection with A. veronii, the highest relative percentage survival of fish was observed in PAKP10 (83.33%), followed by PAKP5 (66.67%), and PAKP2.5 (50%). Our results indicated that a dietary intervention with PAKP could promise growth, digestion, immunity, and protect C. carpio against A. veronii infection in a dose-dependent manner. This offers a framework for future application of such seeds as a growth promotor, immune-stimulant, and antioxidant, besides an alternative cheap therapeutic antibacterial agent for sustaining the aquaculture industry.

Effects of dietary Astragalus polysaccharides on growth, health and resistance to Vibrio harveyi of Lates calcarifer

It is generally accepted that Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) supplementation can makes beneficial effects to fish. However, the adverse effects of APS to fish remains poorly understood. In the present study, Asian seabass Lates calcarifer were studied to assess the influence of different doses of APS on growth, health and resistance to Vibrio harveyi. Results showed that supplemental APS with 0.10 to 0.20% significantly boosted the growth performance, the protease and lipase activities of L. calcarifer. Compared with control diet, the villus length of L. calcarifer fed with APS supplemented diets was significantly higher. L. calcarifer fed with APS supplementation diets also significantly facilitated the antioxidant capacity and immune function. Meanwhile, supplemental APS with 0.10 to 0.15% significantly promoted liver health by up-regulating the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and down-regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, survival rate of L. calcarifer challenged with V. harveyi was higher in diets supplemented with APS compared to the control. However, 0.20% APS significantly hindered the growth performance and caused immunostimulatory fatigue in L. calcarifer compared to 0.10% APS. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that supplementation APS with 0.10% is the optimal level for promoting the growth performance, health and resistance to V. harveyi of L. calcarifer, while 0.20% APS exerts adverse effects on L. calcarifer. Our findings provide novel recommendations for the application of APS supplementation in farmed fish.

Efficacy of whole wheat grain in combination with acidified drinking water on growth performance, gizzard development, intestinal morphology, and microbial population of broiler chickens

A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments was used to study the effects of acidified drinking water (ADW) as 0 or 350 mL acidifier/1,000 L with 3 different wheat forms including ground wheat (GW), whole wheat (WW), or pelleted whole wheat (PWW) on growth performance, gizzard and proventriculus development, intestinal morphology, and microbial population of broiler chickens fed pelleted corn-soybean meal-based diets. GW, WW, and PWW were added at 50, 100, and 150 g/kg of the diet during starter (d 0 to 10), grower (d 10 to 24), and finisher (d 24 to 35) phases, respectively. A total of 300 male broiler chickens at 1-d-old were randomly distributed into six treatments of five replicate pens each. During the starter and grower phases, GW inclusion tended to increase feed intake (P < 0.05), while WW improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) during all experimental phases (P < 0.05). Feed intake during the grower phase decreased and FCR during the starter and grower phases improved in broiler chickens, which received ADW (P < 0.05). An interaction between the wheat form and ADW were observed for the relative weight and muscular thickness of gizzard and pH of gizzard and proventriculus contents (P < 0.05). Inclusion of WW improved the relative weight, length, and width of gizzard and proventriculus and gizzard muscular thickness (P < 0.05). The gizzard weight increased in broiler chickens received ADW, while pH of gizzard contents decreased in those receiving ADW (P < 0.05). Feeding WW increased villus length (VL) and villus area (VA) compared to PWW inclusion, while the ratio of VL to crypt depth (CD) was the greatest in broilers fed WW (P < 0.05). An increase in VL, VA, or VL/CD was observed in broiler chickens, which received ADW (P < 0.05). In microbial population, ADW tended to increase Lactobacillus and decrease Escherichia coli populations (P < 0.05). Lactobacillus population increased in broiler chickens fed WW diet (P < 0.05). In conclusion, WW inclusion in combination with ADW was found to be a suitable promoting of growth performance, gizzard development, intestinal morphology, and microbial population in broiler chickens.

Improving Heat Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by Dietary Zinc Supplementation

In this study, we investigated the effects of zinc threonine supplementation on growth, immunity-related genes, antioxidative stress, and resistance to heat stress (HS) in Nile tilapia. A total of 300 Nile tilapia ( 76.69 ± 0.11 g) were randomly allocated into five zinc treatments, with three replicates of 20 fish in each treatment. Based on the control group with zinc-free feeds, dietary zinc levels of 20 or 40 mg/kg diet were added in the form of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and zinc threonine (Thr-Zn). After 45 days of feeding, part of the fish was exposed to HS. The highest performance of growth and feed intake was found in fish fed with zinc (ZnSO4 or Thr-Zn) at 40 mg/kg, which also significantly elevated the villus length and absorption area. Additionally, significantly higher values of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity but lower value of malondialdehyde both before and after the heat stress were documented in fish fed with zinc at 40 mg/kg in diets. After HS, dietary supplementation with zinc threonine significantly reduced the expression of HSP 70 in the liver but increased the expression of IL-10 and TNF-α. Our study demonstrated that zinc threonine supplementation at 40 mg/kg facilitated the coping of tilapia with HS by improving the growth, intestinal morphology, antioxidative resistance, and immune responses.