Villous Height In Duodenum Research Articles

Supplementing functional amino acids and polyphenols at low dose can restore performance and amino acid digestibility in broilers challenged with coccidiosis

In broiler chickens, commercial intensive practices exacerbate the pressure of gut heath challenges such as coccidiosis. Coccidiosis impairs nutrient digestion, performance, livability of broiler chickens and reduces overall farm profitability. Literature reports that functional amino acids (AA; arginine, threonine, glutamine) and polyphenols could exert beneficial effects in broilers facing this challenge. The current study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the supplementation of arginine, threonine and glutamine together with grape extract polyphenols (MIX) on performance, AA digestibility and gut morphology in broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis.Two hundred eighty-eight (288) newly hatched male broiler chicks of commercial strain (Ross 308) were allocated to 3 treatments with 8 replications. For all except one treatment (Uninfected Untreated Control – UUC), birds were artificially challenged with ADVENT® coccidiosis vaccine 10x dose on day 14. Broiler chickens from the two challenged groups received either no supplementation (Infected Untreated Control – IUC) or a mix of arginine, threonine and glutamine together with grape extract polyphenols at a dose of 1 kg/Ton (IUC+MIX) from day 0 to day 35. Performance and livability were followed during the 35 days of the trial. Lesion scoring, duodenum morphology and fecal oocyst count were assessed on day 21. On day 25 nutrient digestibility was measured on a subset of birds. All data were subjected to an ANOVA and differences among means were detected by multiple range tests.During the course of the trial, coccidiosis challenge reduced growth (-3 g/d, P = 0.008) and feed conversion ratio (-3 pts, P = 0.013) without altering feed intake. It also increased total and species related lesion scores and oocyst counts in feces at d 21 (P < 0.0001). The supplementation of the additive mix restored performance to the same level as the UUC treatment but had no effect on lesion scores and fecal oocyst count. Interestingly, the coccidiosis challenge reduced villous height in duodenum (P = 0.016) which translated into lower digestibility of all AA (P < 0.05), except phenylalanine. The addition of the mix mitigated partially the effect of the challenge on digestibility and to a lesser extent on gut morphology. This study reports that the supplementation of a selected combination of functional amino acids and grape extract polyphenols can fully restore performance of coccidiosis-challenged birds with an improvement of AA digestibility. The results of this study suggest that the mode of action of the mix does not rely on a direct effect on lesion scores, oocyst count or gut morphology and still needs to be determined.

Effects of soybean isoflavone on intestinal antioxidant capacity and cytokines in young piglets fed oxidized fish oil.

To investigate the effect of glycitein, a synthetic soybean isoflavone (ISF), on the intestinal antioxidant capacity, morphology, and cytokine content in young piglets fed oxidized fish oil, 72 4-d-old male piglets were assigned to three treatments. The control group was fed a basal diet containing fresh fish oil, and the other two groups received the same diet except for the substitution with the same dosage of oxidized fish oil alone or with ISF (oxidized fish oil plus ISF). After 21 d of feeding, supplementation of oxidized fish oil increased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized glutathione (GSSG), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), nuclear factor κ B (NF-κB), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NO, and Caspase-3 in jejunal mucosa, and decreased the villous height in duodenum and the levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and IL-4 in the jejunal mucosa compared with supplementation with fresh oil. The addition of oxidized fish oil plus ISF partially alleviated this negative effect. The addition of oxidized fish oil plus ISF increased the villous height and levels of sIgA and IL-4 in jejunal mucosa, but decreased the levels of IL-1β and IL-2 in jejunal mucosa (P<0.05) compared with oxidized fish oil. Collectively, these results show that dietary supplementation of ISF could partly alleviate the negative effect of oxidized fish oil by improving the intestinal morphology as well as the antioxidant capacity and immune function in young piglets.

Dietary Nucleotides Supplementation Improves the Intestinal Development and Immune Function of Neonates with Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction in a Pig Model.

The current study aimed to determine whether dietary nucleotides supplementation could improve growth performance, intestinal development and immune function of intra-uterine growth restricted (IUGR) neonate using pig as animal model. A total of 14 pairs of normal birth weight (NBW) and IUGR piglets (7 days old) were randomly assigned to receive a milk-based control diet (CON diet) or diet supplemented with nucleotides (NT diet) for a period of 21 days. Blood samples, intestinal tissues and digesta were collected at necropsy and analyzed for morphology, digestive enzyme activities, microbial populations, peripheral immune cells, expression of intestinal innate immunity and barrier-related genes and proteins. Compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets had significantly lower average daily dry matter intake and body weight gain (P<0.05). Moreover, IUGR markedly decreased the villous height and villi: crypt ratio in duodenum (P<0.05), as well as the maltase activity in jejunum (P<0.05). In addition, IUGR significantly decreased the serum concentrations of IgA, IL-1βand IL-10 (P<0.05), as well as the percentage of peripheral lymphocytes (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the down-regulation of innate immunity-related genes such as TOLLIP (P<0.05), TLR-9 (P = 0.08) and TLR-2 (P = 0.07) was observed in the ileum of IUGR relative to NBW piglets. Regardless of birth weight, however, feeding NT diet markedly decreased (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio, increased the villous height in duodenum (P<0.05), activities of lactase and maltase in jejunum (P<0.05), count of peripheral leukocytes (P<0.05), serum concentrations of IgA and IL-1β as well as gene expressions of TLR-9, TLR-4 and TOLLIP in ileum (P<0.05). In addition, expressions of tight junction proteins (Claudin-1 and ZO-1) in ileum were markedly increased by feeding NT diet relative to CON diet (P<0.05). These results indicated that IUGR impaired growth performance, intestinal and immune function, but dietary nucleotides supplementation improved nutrients utilization, intestinal function and immunity.

Supplementation of pre-weaning diet with l-arginine has carry-over effect to improve intestinal development in young piglets

This study tested the hypothesis that pre-weaning supplemental arginine may have a carry-over effect on intestinal growth and development of piglets immediately after weaning. Fifty-four [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] piglets were fed a milk replacer diet supplemented with 0 (control), 4, or 8 g kg−1 of l-arginine from d 4 to 21 of age (6 replicate pens of 3 piglets per group). Piglets were then weaned to a common corn–soybean meal diet and fed for another 21 d. On day 42, 6 pigs per treatment were randomly selected for blood and tissue sampling. Arginine supplementation improved body weight of the piglets on d 42, average daily gain during d 22–31 (P &lt; 0.05). Supplementation of 8 g kg−1 arginine decreased feed:gain (F:G) ratio in piglets during d 22–31 (P = 0.010). Compared with controls, 8 g kg−1 arginine improved villous height in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum; villous area in duodenum and jejunum; relative intestine weight; and plasma contents of insulin at d 42 (P &lt; 0.05). Arginine supplementation increased mucosal protein content in all 3 segments of the small intestine (P &lt; 0.05). These novel results clearly demonstrate a carry-over effect of pre-weaning supplementation with arginine on enhanced intestinal growth and development in the early post-weaning period.

Effects of low-protein diets supplemented with indispensable amino acids on growth performance, intestinal morphology and immunological parameters in 13 to 35 kg pigs

The objective of this study was to determine if a moderate or high reduction of dietary CP, supplemented with indispensable amino acids (IAA), would affect growth, intestinal morphology and immunological parameters of pigs. A total of 40 barrows (initial BW=13.50±0.50 kg, 45±2 day of age) were used in a completely randomized block design, and allocated to four dietary treatments containing CP levels at 20.00%, 17.16%, 15.30% and 13.90%, respectively. Industrial AA were added to meet the IAA requirements of pigs. After 4-week feeding, blood and tissue samples were obtained from pigs. The results showed that reducing dietary CP level decreased average daily gain, plasma urea nitrogen concentration and relative organ weights of liver and pancreas (P<0.01), and increased feed conversion ratio (P<0.01). Pigs fed the 13.90% CP diet had significantly lower growth performance than that of pigs fed higher CP at 20.00%, 17.16% or 15.30%. Moreover, reducing dietary CP level decreased villous height in duodenum (P<0.01) and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P<0.01). The reduction in the dietary CP level increased plasma concentrations of methionine, alanine (P<0.01) and lysine (P<0.05), and decreased arginine (P<0.05). Intriguingly, reducing dietary CP level from 20.00% to 13.90% resulted in a significant decrease in plasma concentration of IgG (P<0.05), percentage of CD3+T cells of the peripheral blood (P<0.01), also down-regulated the mRNA abundance of innate immunity-related genes on toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (P<0.01) and nuclear factor kappa B (P<0.05) in the ileum. These results indicate that reducing dietary CP level from 20.00% to 15.30%, supplemented with IAA, had no significant effect on growth performance and had a limited effect on immunological parameters. However, a further reduction of dietary CP level up to 13.90% would lead to poor growth performance and organ development, associated with the modifications of intestinal morphology and immune function.

Abord supra-tentoriel dans le cadre des adénomes hypophysaires : indications, résultats, complications, intérêts et inconvénients. À propos d’une série rétrospective de 17 cas

Aspergillus niger-fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FR) and its comparative effect with non-fermented G. biloba leaves (NF) were investigated on growth performance, small intestinal structure and function of broiler chicks. A total of 300 d-old Arbor Acress broilers were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments, which were then denoted as the control group (basal diet), and the NF group (containing 0.35% and 0.7% NF in the starter and grower diets, respectively), FR1, FR2 and FR3 groups containing 0.2%, 0.35% and 0.5% FR in the starter diets and 0.4%, 0.7% and 1.0% FR in the grower diets, respectively. The results showed that, compared with the control and NF groups, reduced (P<0.05) feed/gain ratio of FR2 group and higher (P<0.05) mucosal alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities in duodenum and jejunum of groups FR2 and FR3 were observed. Villous height of duodenum and jejunum was improved (P<0.05) as increased FR levels, while crypt depth of jejunum was decreased (P<0.05). FR supplementation led to an increase in the protease activities in pancreas, duodenum and jejunum, as well as amylase activity in the duodenum and jejunum (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively). In addition, the sodium glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) mRNA level in duodenum was increased in birds fed with FR2 and FR3 diets. Furthermore, birds supplemented with FRs had increased (P<0.05) plasma d-xylose levels. Whereas compared with the control, broilers had lower (P<0.05) serum urea nitrogen (SUN) levels when they were provided with the FR2 and FR3 diets. The present study may indicate that the improved feed efficiency and intestinal functions in the group supplemented with FR are directly connected with physiological mechanisms such as the regulation of the SGLT1 mRNA expression.

Effect of feeding Aspergillus niger-fermented Ginkgo biloba-leaves on growth, small intestinal structure and function of broiler chicks

Aspergillus niger-fermented Ginkgo biloba leaves (FR) and its comparative effect with non-fermented G. biloba leaves (NF) were investigated on growth performance, small intestinal structure and function of broiler chicks. A total of 300d-old Arbor Acress broilers were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments, which were then denoted as the control group (basal diet), and the NF group (containing 0.35% and 0.7% NF in the starter and grower diets, respectively), FR1, FR2 and FR3 groups containing 0.2%, 0.35% and 0.5% FR in the starter diets and 0.4%, 0.7% and 1.0% FR in the grower diets, respectively. The results showed that, compared with the control and NF groups, reduced (P<0.05) feed/gain ratio of FR2 group and higher (P<0.05) mucosal alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities in duodenum and jejunum of groups FR2 and FR3 were observed. Villous height of duodenum and jejunum was improved (P<0.05) as increased FR levels, while crypt depth of jejunum was decreased (P<0.05). FR supplementation led to an increase in the protease activities in pancreas, duodenum and jejunum, as well as amylase activity in the duodenum and jejunum (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively). In addition, the sodium glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT1) mRNA level in duodenum was increased in birds fed with FR2 and FR3 diets. Furthermore, birds supplemented with FRs had increased (P<0.05) plasma d-xylose levels. Whereas compared with the control, broilers had lower (P<0.05) serum urea nitrogen (SUN) levels when they were provided with the FR2 and FR3 diets. The present study may indicate that the improved feed efficiency and intestinal functions in the group supplemented with FR are directly connected with physiological mechanisms such as the regulation of the SGLT1 mRNA expression.

Effects of Copper-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Intestinal Microflora and Morphology in Weaned Piglets

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with copper-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-Cu) on growth performance, intestinal microflora, and morphology in weaned piglets. A number of 90 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire), weaned at 21 days with body weight of 7.2 ± 0.81 kg, were randomly divided into three groups by weight and sex, each treatment including three replicates of ten pigs. The piglets were fed the same basal diet supplemented with 0 (the control group), 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu, and 100 mg/kg chlortetracycline (the positive group). The results showed that 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu significantly increased average daily gain and feed intake and decreased feed/gain ratio and diarrhea rate (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the amount of Escherichia coli in duodenum, jejunal, and caecum were significantly decreased by 100 mg/kg CNP-Cu; the number of lactobacillus in jejunal and caecum were increased (P < 0.05), and the amount of bifidobacterium in duodenum and caecum were also increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the villous height of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum mucosa was significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the crypt depth was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results indicated that CNP-Cu is beneficial to growth and intestinal microflora and morphology and could be a potential substitution of chlortetracycline in diets of weaned piglets.

Effect of Weaning on Small Intestinal Structure and Function in the Piglet

Fifty-four piglets were selected from 12 litters weaned at 17 (Treatment 1), 21 (Treatment 2), 28 (Treatment 3) and 35 (Treatment 4) days old, respectively, to determine the effect of weaning age on small intestinal villus morphology, immunology and histochemistry. From proximal duodenum, proximal jejunum, distal jejunum and middle ileum, intestinal samples with three replicates (piglets) in each treatment were taken at 18, 22, 28 and 36; 22, 28, 36 and 43; 28, 36, 43, and 50; and 18, 22, 28, 36, 43 and 50d of age in Treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. This was equivalent to 12h, 3d, 1 week, 2 week postweaning in Treatment 1; 12h, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week postweaning in Treatment 2 and 3, and all the same age in Treatment 4 as in Treatment 1, 2, 3, respectively. The results showed that villous height of duodenum and proximal jejunum decreased significantly in Treatment 1 and 3. Crypt depth in the duodenum, proximal jejunum and ileum also decreased significantly in Treatment 1. Date had significant effect on villous height of the duodenum, distal jejunum and ileum with the shortest on day 29 and crypt depth of all positions increased with piglet age except the crypt depth in proximal jejunum decreased on day 50. Weaning age and day of age had significant effects on intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) number and goblet cell (GC) number at all positions of small intestinal mucosa in piglets. The number of IEL at all segments of small intestinal mucosa in Treatment 3 increased significantly compared to those in other treatments, but IEL number at all locations of small intestinal mucosa in Treatment 2 decreased significantly compared to those in other treatments. The number of GC in small intestinal mucosa increased significantly in early-weaned (< day 21) piglets. It appears that providing fluid milk replacer for a few days postweaning could dramatically reduce the negative impact of weaning on villous morphology and digestive and absorptive function, especially in pigs weaned prior to 3 week of age. Finally, as weaning age was reduced, GC had a greater role in intestinal duct protection.