Villus Height Research Articles

Changes in performance, cecal microflora counts and intestinal histology of Japanese quails fed diets containing different fibre sources

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate how various fiber sources impact the performance, microbial population, and intestinal histology of Japanese quail that was performed in a completely randomized design for 42 days. The dietary treatments involved a fiber-free corn-soybean meal-based diet (control, CTL), and CTL with added levels of sunflower hulls (SFH) and sugar beet pulp (SBP) (20 and 40 g kg-1). Body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) were recorded weekly. Carcass characteristics, cecal microbial population, blood variables and intestinal histology were measured on the 42 day of age. Adding 40 g kg-1 of SBP led to a significant decrease in body weight gain and an increase in the feed conversion ratio of birds from 1 to 21 days (P < 0.05). The relative weight of the gastrointestinal tract and gizzard increased significantly in birds that consumed SFH. Blood triglyceride concentration decreased with the inclusion of fiber in the diet. However, there was a notable increase in blood cholesterol concentration in the birds that were fed SBP (20 and 40 g kg-1) in comparison to those fed SFH (P < 0.05). The population of E. Coli in the cecum increased significantly in the birds that were fed 4 g kg-1 of SBP as opposed to those fed 20 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH (P < 0.05). The villus height of the jejunum in birds that were fed 20 g kg-1 and 40 g kg-1 of SFH demonstrated a significant increase in comparison to the other treatments (P < 0.05). In general, the findings of this research indicated that the inclusion of 40 g kg-1 of SBP in the diet had a negative impact on performance and other physiological parameters. However, the use of SFH and 20 g kg-1 of SBP yielded similar results to birds in the CTL, and in some cases, even better outcomes.

Exploring the relationship between rearing system and carcass traits of Danzhou chicken: a microbial perspective

This study investigated the effects of free-range (FR) and cage-rearing (CR) systems on intestinal health, carcass traits, and microbial diversity in the Danzhou chicken breed. Two groups of 125 hens in each group, aged 42 wk, were reared under FR and CR systems. At 50 wk, 50 hens from each group were randomly selected for carcass analysis and 10 hens for intestinal morphology and microbiota profiling. Results indicated a significant increase in villus height (VH) in the duodenum (P < 0.05), jejunum (P < 0.01), and ileum (P < 0.001) of the CR group. Additionally, the ratio of VH to crypt depth (VR) significantly (P < 0.001) increased in the jejunum, while crypt depth (CD) decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the same section in the CR group. Carcass traits, including dress weight (DW), eviscerated with giblet weight (EGW), eviscerated weight (EW), and leg muscle weight (LW) significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the CR group. Microbial diversity showed significant β-diversity differences, with Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Oxalobacteraceae as dominant biomarkers in the CR group. Conversely, Actinomycetaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Eubacterium, Actinomyces, Scardovia, and Lachnospiraceae were dominant in the FG group. Correlation analysis showed duodenum Lactobacillus was positively correlated with VH (P < 0.05), EW (P < 0.05), and LW (P < 0.001). Jejunum Lactobacillus was positively correlated considerably with VH (P < 0.01), VR (P < 0.05), DW (P < 0.05), EGW (P < 0.01), and LW (P < 0.001). Ileum Lactobacillus was positively correlated with EGW (P < 0.01), EW (P < 0.05), and LW (P < 0.01). Aeriscardovia in duodenum was positively (P < 0.01) associated with EGW. Enterococcus in the duodenum was positively (P < 0.05) associated with EGW and in Jejunum positively correlated with VH (P < 0.05) and VR (P < 0.01). The study concludes that cage rearing improves intestinal health, carcass traits, and microbial diversity in Danzhou chickens, with Lactobacillus and Enterococcus playing key roles.

Effects of Dietary L-glutamic acid on the Growth Performance, Gene Expression Associated with Muscle Growth-Related Gene Expression, and Intestinal Health of Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)

The present research examined the impact of L-glutamic acid (Glu) supplementation on the growth performance, muscle composition, gene expression correlated with muscle growth, and intestinal health of largemouth bass. There were 525 fish in total, which were distributed randomly into five groups. Each group had three replicates, and each replicate consisted of 35 fish. Groups with control and experimental diets were assigned glutamic acid amounts of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%. The findings demonstrated that glutamic acid supplementation enhanced growth performance, feed intake (FI), and condition factor (CF), with the best value being attained at 0.4% Glu. The mean muscle fiber area was increased and the muscle fiber density was decreased in the 0.6% Glu group. The levels of total amino acids and specific amino acids, such as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, valine, alanine, and glycine, were shown to be higher in the 0.6% Glu group. In the 0.6% Glu group, the mRNA expression levels of atrogin-1, murf-1, foxo3a, and 4e-bp1 were decreased compared to the control group. Conversely, the mRNA expression levels of myf5, myog, myod, s6k1, tor, akt, and pi3k were increased in the 0.6% Glu group compared to the control group. The 0.4% Glu group had higher intestinal amylase, lipase, and protease activities and greater villus height, villus width, and muscle thickness. In summary, Glu can support largemouth bass growth, muscular development, intestinal digestion, and absorption.

Effects of gastric bypass on the digestibility and postprandial metabolic fate of 15N dietary protein in rats.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass may be associated with an alteration of protein bioavailability in relation to intestinal remodeling. Our study aimed to test this hypothesis by Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass. Diet-induced obese rats underwent Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery (RYGB rats) while a Sham-operated control group was used. All rats received a 15N-labeled protein meal 1 or 3 months after surgery and were euthanized 6h later. Protein digestibility, 15N recovered in organs and urea pool, fractional protein synthesis rate, and intestinal morphometry were assessed. Protein digestibility was similar in all groups (94.2±0.3%). The small intestine was hypertrophied in RYGB rats 1 month after surgery, weighing 9.1±0.2g vs. 7.0±0.3g in Sham rats (P = 0.003). Villus height and crypt depth were increased in the alimentary limb and ileum of RYGB rats. However, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass had no impact on the fractional synthesis rate. In the gastrointestinal tract, 15N retention only differed in the ileal mucosa and was higher in RYGB rats at 1 month (0.48±0.2% vs. 0.3±0.09%, P = 0.03). 15N recovery from the liver, muscle, and skin was lower in RYGB rats at 1 month. 15N recovery from urinary and plasma urea was higher in RYGB rats at both times, resulting in increased total deamination (13.2±0.9% vs. 10.1±0.5%, P<0.01). This study showed that Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass did not affect protein digestibility. Dietary nitrogen sequestration was transitorily and moderately diminished in several organs. This was associated with a sustained elevation of postprandial deamination after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, whose mechanisms merit further studies.

Investigation into the supplementation of a ferric sillen core-linked polymer on the health and physiological performance of broiler chickens

Poultry is a ubiquitous and highly sought-after protein source valued for its accessibility, notable protein content, and lack of religious constraints. However, the demand for poultry has resulted in a surge in intensive production practices. The transition from subsistence agricultural practices to intensive food production resulted in the widespread adoption of antibiotics for both therapeutic and economic purposes. These interventions were intended to enhance meat yield, promote bird health, and enhance cost-effectiveness of production. However, this inadvertently contributed to the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Therefore, the need to explore alternative approaches to mitigate the problems associated with AMR has become increasingly pressing. In response, metal-based compounds have emerged as a promising substitute to conventional antibiotics. In this study, the effects of a water soluble metallo-antimicrobial supplement, ferric sillen core-linked polymer (FSCLP), on body weight gain, feed conversion, water intake, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production, cecal microbiome and intestinal morphology in broilers was examined. The findings of this study suggested that the addition of the FSCLP resulted in better bird performance, even during a period of heat stress. Volatile fatty acids (VFA) analysis of cecal contents indicated that there were significantly higher levels (p < 0.05) of butyric and valeric acids. Cecal microbiome analysis confirmed significantly lower abundance (p < 0.05) of Proteobacteria (e.g., E. coli) and a significantly greater abundance of VFA-producing bacteria such as Intestinimonas butyriciproducens, Blautia and Lachnospiraceae. The intestinal morphology data showed supplementation with the FSCLP at 80 ppm resulted in a significantly higher (p < 0.05) villus height of the jejunum.This study emphasises the potential of FSCLP as a feasible solution to the issues faced by AMR in chicken production, providing insights into its beneficial impacts on performance, microbial composition, and intestinal health.

Linking gastrointestinal tract structure, function, and gene expression signatures to growth variability in broilers: a novel interpretation for flock uniformity

Variation in body weight (BW) within broiler flocks is a significant challenge in poultry production. Investigating differences in gut-related parameters between low (LBW) and high BW (HBW) chicks may provide insights into the underlying causes of BW heterogeneity. 908 day-old male broiler chicks were reared until d 7 and then ranked into LBW and HBW groups. Thereafter, performance parameters were compared between BW groups periodically. On d 7, 14, and 38, visceral organ characteristics, intestinal permeability, and duodenal and ileal histomorphology were examined. Expression profiles were analyzed for 79 ileal genes related to gut barrier function, immune function, nutrient transport, gut hormones, nutrient receptors, metabolism, and oxidation using high-throughput qPCR. Student's t-tests were performed to compare measurements. Multivariate statistics, including partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis, were applied to identify combinations of key genes discriminating BW groups, offering predictive capability for phenotypic variations. The HBW group remained heavier at each timepoint, which could be explained by higher feed intake. The HBW group had shorter relative small intestine length but higher villus height and villi height/crypt depth ratios. The LBW group demonstrated increased intestinal permeability on d 38. The LBW group showed upregulation of immune response genes including TNF-α on d 7 and CYP450 on d 38, while the HBW group showed higher AHSA1 and HSPA4 expressions on d 7. The LBW group had upregulation of the metabolism genes mTOR and EIF4EBP1 on d 7 and the satiety-induced hormone cholecystokinin on d 14, while the HBW group tended to increase expression of the hunger hormone ghrelin on d 38. Genes related to gut barrier function, nutrient transport, and oxidation categories were consistently upregulated in the HBW group. PLSR models revealed 4, 12, and 11 sets of key genes highly predictive of BW phenotypes on d 7, 14, and 38, respectively. These findings suggest that growth rates are linked to the intestinal size, structure, and function of broiler chickens, offering insights into the underlying mechanisms regulating BW.

Maternal chromium supplementation improves oxidation resistance, immunity, and intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with lipopolysaccharide

This study evaluated the effects of maternal chromium (Cr), supplemented with Cr propionate (CrPro) during perinatal period of does, on antioxidant capacity, immune response, and intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Forty LeZhi black does at 90 days of pregnancy were divided into four groups based on body weight (52.36±8.24 kg) with 10 replicate pens for each treatment and one doe for each replicate pen. Treatments consisted of 0, 0.4, 1.2, or 2.0 mg of supplemental Cr per head per day (head-1 d-1) from CrPro. After birth, the goat kids were allowed to suckle until 21 days. At 21-day-old, one male goat kid per replicate was sacrificed 2 h after LPS injection. Individual weight and litter weight of goat kids on birth and 21 d were not affected by maternal Cr supplementation. Chromium concentrations in umbilical cord, colostrum and liver of goat kids were linearly increased by maternal Cr supplementation (P<0.05). Maternal Cr supplementation quadratically increased serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity of goat kids (P<0.05). Goat kids from maternal Cr supplementation groups had higher serum T-SOD activity than those from control group (P<0.05). Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of goat kids was linearly decreased, whereas serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was linearly increased as maternal Cr increased (P<0.05). Maternal Cr supplementation linearly increased colostrum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) concentrations (P<0.05), and quadratically increased serum IgG and IgM concentration of goat kids with the greatest response detected at 0.4 mg head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation group (P<0.05). The villus height (VH) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) in duodenum of goat kids increased quadratically as maternal Cr increased, and both reached the highest in maternal 1.2 mg head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation group. Maternal Cr supplementation linearly decreased ileal crypt depth (CD) of goat kids. The results indicate that 0.4-2.0 mg (0.47-2.41 mg by analysis) head-1 d-1 maternal Cr supplementation from CrPro could improve antioxidant capacity, immune response, and small intestinal morphology of goat kids injected with LPS.

Effects of high-level dietary distillers dried grains with solubles supplemented with multienzymes on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology, and pellet quality in broiler chickens.

With the increasing cost of bulk raw materials and advancements in the feed enzyme industry, corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) have shown more opportunities for use in broiler diets. Supplementation with multiple enzymes could mitigate anti-nutritional factors in DDGS, enhance nutrient digestibility, and thereby increase its utilization in broiler diets, leading to reduced feed costs. This study evaluated the effects of multienzyme supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal morphology, and pellet quality in broiler chickens fed diets containing conventional levels of DDGS (C-DDGS) and higher levels of DDGS (H-DDGS). A total of 800 1-day-old Cobb 500 chicks was assigned to four dietary treatments with eight replicates of 25 birds each: C-DDGS (5% DDGS in Starter and 10% in Grower), C-DDGS + Enzyme (C-DDGS diet supplemented with multienzyme), H-DDGS (10% and 20%) + Enzyme (H-DDGS diet supplemented with multienzyme, 10% DDGS in Starter and 20% in Grower), and H-DDGS (15% and 30%) + Enzyme. The C-DDGS + enzyme diet increased (p < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG), reduced the feed conversion ratio, enhanced (p < 0.05) digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein, and hemicellulose (HC), and improved (p < 0.05) intestinal villus height and villus: crypt ratio of broilers. The H-DDGS (10% and 20%) + enzyme diet exhibited no difference in (p > 0.05) growth performance, nutrient digestibility (except HC), and intestinal morphological parameters, whereas the H-DDGS (15% and 30%) + enzyme diet decreased (p < 0.05) feed intake and BWG and reduced (p < 0.05) energy and DM digestibility by impact (p < 0.05) intestinal morphology compared with the C-DDGS enzyme-free diet. The H-DDGS diet had lower (p < 0.05) pellet hardness and poorer durability than the C-DDGS diet. Supplementing multienzyme in the C-DDGS (5% and 10%) diet improved growth performance from day 0 to 28 and diminished growth performance in the H-DDGS (15% and 30%) diet by influencing intestinal morphology and feed pellet quality in broiler chickens. In addition, when supplemented with multienzyme, the dietary DDGS level can be safely included at levels of 10% in 0-7 days and 20% in 8-28 days of age.

Dietary sanguinarine supplementation improves the growth performance and intestinal immunity of broilers

Dietary sanguinarine (SAN) can enhance the growth performance of poultry and livestock, but the regulatory mechanism of the SAN monomer on intestinal homeostasis and how it promotes growth performance has not yet been clarified. In this study, 200 chickens were divided into four groups and fed different doses of SAN (0, 0.225, 0.75, 2.25mg/kg) for transcriptome and microbiota analysis. The data showed that different doses of SAN supplementation increased the feed conversion rate (FCR) of 22 to 42 d old and 1 to 42 d old broilers (P < 0.01), and 0.225 mg/kg SAN reduced the contents of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine (CREA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum (P < 0.01). Dietary SAN increased the villus height and the villus height/crypt depth (V/C) ratio in the ileum (P < 0.01). The levels of tight junction proteins (zonula occludens-1, occludin and claudin-1) were up-regulated in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01) and the levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM, IgG, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ were up-regulated in the serum and ileum (P < 0.01). RNA-seq analysis revealed 385 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2 fold change| ≥ 1, FDR < 0.05) between the SAN group and CON group. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed 15 pathways mostly associated with the immune system. Additionally, the reverse transcription-PCR results showed that the relative mRNA expression of β-defensin and mucin 2 were up-regulated (P < 0.01) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR 4 mRNA were down-regulated by SAN (P < 0.01), which was consistent with the transcriptomic analysis. Western blot analysis also showed that SAN reduced the expression of inflammatory proteins such as TLR4, nuclear factor-kappa B and IL-1β in the ileum (P < 0.01). In addition, at the genus level, SAN significantly increased the relative abundance of bacteria (Bacteroides, unclassified_f__Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus and Romboutsia) involved in acetate and butyrate production in the cecum, which are associated with enhanced intestinal immune function and maintaining intestinal health. In conclusion, SAN ameliorates the growth performance of broilers, enhances intestinal immune function, regulates the structure of microbiota and maintains intestinal health.

Effects of Akkermansia muciniphila on Gut Morphology, Antioxidant Indices, and Gut Microbiome of Mice Under Heat Stress.

Nutritional manipulations can reduce the detrimental effects of heat stress on animal health and production. Akkermansia muciniphila (AM) is an innovative beneficial bacteria and can be used for conventional use as dietary supplements and pharmaceutical application. This study aimed to investigate the effects of administering AM on gut morphology, antioxidant indices, and gut microbiome of mice during heat stress. A total of 24 BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to three groups including the control group (CON), heat stress group (HS), and AM administration under heat stress group (AM). Our results showed heat stress significantly increased the water consumption of mice. Administration of AM did not improve feed intake or weight gain. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase as well as antioxidant parameters were not different among the three groups. Heat stress decreased the jejunal villus height, and AM could reverse this effect. AM administration significantly increased the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiota at the phylum level. At the genus level, heat stress and AM groups tended to have a lower abundance of Alloprevotella. In addition, AM tended to increase the relative abundance of [Eubacterium]_xylanophilum_group in comparison with the other two groups. In summary, administration of AM can alleviate the damage of heat stress to the jejunum. However, it has no effect on serum antioxidant parameters, and its effect on the cecal microbiota is limited.

Rumen Microbiota Transplantation Alleviates Gossypol Diet-Induced Reproductive, Liver, and Intestinal Damage in Male Mice.

Ruminants exhibit stronger tolerance to gossypol, an anti-nutritional factor, compared to monogastric animals. We transplanted Hu sheep rumen microbiota into male mice to investigate the role of rumen microbiota in animal gossypol tolerance. Thirty specific-pathogen-free (SPF) male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal diet (CK group), gossypol diet (FG group), and rumen microbiota transplantation (FMT group, gossypol diet). The pathological changes in the liver and small intestine of the mice, the organ coefficient, and sperm parameters were analyzed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in the blood and lactate dihydrogen-X (LDH-X) levels in the testicular tissue were also measured. The results showed that body weight, feed intake, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and LDH-X levels in the FMT group increased (p < 0.05) compared with the FG group, while the enzyme activities of ALT, AST, and AST/ALT decreased (p < 0.05). In the FMT group, the injury to liver cells was alleviated, the structure of the small intestine was intact, and the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V/C) were higher than those in the FG group (p < 0.05). And there were no differences in various organ coefficients and sperm deformity rates among the three groups (p > 0.05), but compared with the FG group, mice in the FMT group showed tendencies closer to those in the CK group. Rumen microbiota transplantation relieved the reproductive toxicity and liver damage induced by gossypol in male mice and improved the tolerance of recipient animals to gossypol. Additionally, rumen microbes improved the intestinal structural integrity of recipients.

Dietary supplementation with mulberry leaf flavonoids and carnosic acid complex enhances the growth performance and antioxidant capacity via regulating the p38 MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of mulberry leaf flavonoids and carnosic acid complex (MCC) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant, and p38 MAPK/Nrf2 pathway in broilers. A total of 256 healthy 8-day-old female yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: a control group (CON) fed a basal diet, an antibiotic group (CTC) supplemented with 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline, and two experimental groups (MCC75, MCC150) fed basal diets with 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg of MCC, respectively. The experiment lasted for 56 days, with days 1-28 designated as the initial phase and days 29-56 as the growth phase. The results on the growth performance showed that diets supplemented with MCC and CTC decreased the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G), diarrhea rate, and death rate, while significantly increasing the average daily weight gain (ADG) (p < 0.05). Specifically, the MCC150 group enhanced intestinal health, indicated by reduced crypt depth and increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (V/C) as well as amylase activity in the jejunum. Both the MCC and CTC groups exhibited increased villus height and V/C ratio in the ileal (p < 0.05). Additionally, all treated groups showed elevated serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and significant increases in catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were observed in both the MCC150 and CTC groups. Molecular analysis revealed an upregulation of the jejunal mRNA expression levels of PGC-1α, Nrf2, and Keap1 in the MCC and CTC groups, as well as an upregulation of ileum mRNA expression levels of P38, PGC-1α, Nrf2, and Keap1 in the MCC150 group, suggesting activation of the p38-MAPK/Nrf2 pathway. These findings indicate that dietary supplementation with MCC, particularly at a dosage of 150 mg/kg, may serve as a viable antibiotic alternative, enhancing growth performance, intestinal health, and antioxidant capacity in broilers by regulating the p38-MAPK/Nrf2 pathway.

Dietary supplementation of Cannabis sativa residues in broiler chickens affects performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology, blood biochemistry profile and oxidative stability

Public interest in the cannabis plant has increased after its legalization in many countries. Cannabis sativa residues (CR) are a part of the plant waste in the cannabis industry. The CR contain medicinal properties that could be used as a feed additive in poultry production. The trial was conducted to investigate the effects of CR on growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemistry profile of broiler chickens. In a completely randomized design, 256 one-day-old male Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to 4 treatments with 8 replicates and 8 birds per replicate. These 4 dietary treatments included a basal diet with 0, 0.5, 1 and 2% CR for 40 d. The results showed that 2% CR supplementation reduced feed intake (FI) in the starter phase (d 3-23, P < 0.05). The birds in the CR groups had lower FI in the finishing phase (d 24-40, P < 0.01) and the whole raising period (d 3-40, P < 0.01) than the control. However, the body weight and carcass yield were not different (P > 0.05). In addition, the CR diet had no adverse effects on the blood biochemistry profile, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin, albumin, and direct bilirubin (P > 0.05). In addition, total bilirubin and malondialdehyde were better in the plasma of CR-supplemented birds than in the control groups (P < 0.05). The observations on intestinal morphology showed that CR supplementation improved the ratio between villus height and crypt depth in the ileum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CR supplementation can improve intestinal morphology and oxidative stability of broiler chickens. This suggests that CR could potentially be used as an alternative feed additive in broiler production.

Nano-emulsified black soldier fly oil concerning performance traits, health, and immunity of broilers

In the antibiotic-free era, traditional antibiotics have been suggested as alternatives to antibiotic-based growth promoters. Among the various methods, self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) are increasingly utilized to improve the bioavailability of oils containing essential substances. In this study, we evaluated the effects of black soldier fly oil (BSFO) SNEDDS in chicken drinking water on growth performance, small intestine histomorphology, and poultry health status. We divided 225 male Indian River strain broiler chickens into five treatment groups, each consisting of 5 replicates. The chickens were reared from to 0 to 35 d of age in a controlled environmental housing system. The BSFO SNEDDS was administered via drinking water. Treatments included ordinary drinking water (P1), bacitracin (P2), and 10 mL/L (P3), 20 mL/L (P4), and 30 mL/L (P5) BSFO SNEDDS. The observed parameters included growth performance, carcass yield, blood hematology, intestinal histomorphology, digestive microflora, and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's test. The results indicated that administering BSFO SNEDDS via drinking water improved feed conversion (P < 0.05), enhanced the performance index (P < 0.05), increased carcass percentage (P < 0.001), and increased the weight of the carcass parts. Additionally, it increased villus height (P < 0.01), lowered jejunal pH (P < 0.001), reduced pathogenic bacteria in the jejunum, and decreased the leukocyte count. BSFO SNEDDS in drinking water is expected to be used as a traditional antibiotic with the potential to replace synthetic antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chickens.

Dietary Triple-Strain Bacillus-Based Probiotic Supplementation Improves Performance, Immune Function, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Community in Weaned Pigs.

Probiotics provide health benefits and are used as feed supplements as an alternative prophylactic strategy to antibiotics. However, the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics containing more than two strains when supplemented to pigs are rarely elucidated. SOLVENS (SLV) is a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic. In this study, we investigate the effects of SLV on performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbial community in piglets. A total of 480 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) of 8.13 ± 0.08 kg and 28 days of age] were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design: P0: basal diet (CON); P200: CON + 200 mg SLV per kg feed (6.5 × 108 CFU/kg feed); and P400: CON + 400 mg SLV per kg feed (1.3 × 109 CFU/kg feed). Each treatment had 20 replicated pens with eight pigs (four male/four female) per pen. During the 31 d feeding period (Phase 1 = wean to d 14, Phase 2 = d 15 to 31 after weaning), all pigs were housed in a temperature-controlled nursery room (23 to 25 °C). Feed and water were available ad libitum. The results showed that the pigs in the P400 group increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and tended (p = 0.10) to increase ADG overall. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups tended (p = 0.10) to show improved feed conversion ratios overall in comparison with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups increased (p < 0.05) serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and haptoglobin on d 14, and serum C-reactive protein on d 31. The pigs in the P200 group showed an increased (p < 0.01) villus height at the jejunum, decreased (p < 0.05) crypt depth at the ileum compared with other treatments, and tended (p = 0.09) to have an increased villus-crypt ratio at the jejunum compared with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups showed increased (p < 0.05) goblet cells in the small intestine. Moreover, the pigs in the P400 group showed down-regulated (p < 0.05) interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions, whereas the pigs in the P400 group showed up-regulated occludin gene expression in the ileum. These findings suggest that SLV alleviates immunological reactions, improves intestinal microbiota balance, and reduces weaning stress in piglets. Therefore, SOLVENS has the potential to improve health and performance for piglets.

Dihydromyricetin improves growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enteric infection is a major cause of enteric disorder in neonatal pigs during the weaning transition. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural flavanonol compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata with numerous biological activities such as antioxidative and immunomodulatory functions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary dihydromyricetin supplementation on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). In total, 24 weaned DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) pigs were allotted to 3 treatments. Pigs fed with basal diet or basal diet containing 300 mg/kg DMY were orally infused with sterilized culture or ETEC (2.5 × 1011 colony-forming units). Dietary DMY supplementation significantly elevated the final weight and average daily gain (ADG) but reduced diarrhea incidence in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Compared to the ECON group, DMY also improved the digestibility of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), gross energy (GE), and ash of the EDMY group (p < 0.05). Moreover, DMY not only significantly decreased the ratio of albumin/globulin but also elevated serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA and IgG) in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V:C), and the activities of mucosal alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, and maltase in the duodenum and jejunum of the EDMY group were higher than those in the ECON group (p < 0.05). Importantly, DMY significantly elevated the expression levels of jejunal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1, cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1), and fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP-1) in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to the ECON group, DMY increased the concentrations of microbial SCFA metabolites (e.g., acetic acid and propanoic acid), but reduced the abundance of Escherichia coli in the cecum of the EDMY group (p < 0.05). Dietary DMY supplementation can attenuate the ETEC-induced growth retardation and intestinal injury, which was attributed to the amelioration of intestinal nutrient digestion and transport functions as well as the improved microbiota.

Effects of coated Enterococcus faecium on the growth performance, immunity, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphometry, and microbiota of crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of double-layer-coated Enterococcus faecium on the growth performance, liver biochemical indices, digestive enzyme activity, intestinal morphometry, immunity gene expression, and microbiota of crucian carps (Carassius auratus gibelio). A total of 320 fish (mean weight 11.0 ± 0.04 g) were randomly distributed into 3 treatment groups of 4 replicates per treatment (20 fish/replicate). Three different experimental diets were designed: dietary C without double-layer-coated E. faecalis, dietary LP supplemented with 1.0 × 107 CFU/g, and dietary HP supplemented with 1.0 × 108 CFU/g double-layer-coated E. faecalis. The fish was fed for 70 days with different diets, followed by a challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results showed that the weight gain and specific growth rate increased and the feed conversion rate decreased in the dietary HP (P < 0.05). The dietary LP had higher lipase and protease activities, and amylase activity increased in the dietary LP and HP after the LPS challenge (P < 0.05). The dietary HP had higher villi height (VH), thicker muscular thickness (MT), and higher VH/MT (VCR) in the intestine (P < 0.05). The intestines were damaged by the LPS challenge; the damage to the dietary HP was alleviated, showing a higher VH, thicker MT, and higher VCR (P < 0.05). The glutathione peroxidase activity of the liver was increased in the dietary HP (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in liver antioxidant capacity with the LPS challenge among all diets. There was no significant difference in the expression level of the Occludin and Claudin-12 genes among all diets that was up-regulated in dietary HP after LPS challenge (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing revealed that the supplementation of double-layer-coated E. faecium increased the species diversity of the intestinal. In conclusion, double-layer-coated E. faecium can improve the absorption of nutrients, enhance immunity, maintain balance in the intestine microbiota, and promote the growth of crucian carp. The supplementation of double-layer-coated E. faecium in the diet can alleviate the intestinal damage caused by LPS challenge.

Partial fishmeal replacement by soybean meal induces fish growth retardation and gut inflammation via gut mucosal barrier dysfunction and dysbiosis in largemouth bass

The study aimed to investigate the effect of partial fishmeal replacement by soybean meal on fish growth, gut histology, oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and tight junction proteins in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated: the FM diet contained 45 % fishmeal (FM diet) and did not contain soybean meal; diets SM25, SM50, and SM75 replaced 25 %, 50 %, and 75 % fishmeal protein in the FM group with soybean meal, respectively. Experimental fish (4.3 ± 0.1 g) were fed to apparent satiation for eight weeks. The results showed that replacing 25 % or more fishmeal decreased villus height, villus width, total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity levels, reduced glutathione contents, and Aurantimicrobium abundance; increased malonaldehyde contents and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) expression; downregulated nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), occludin, and zona occluding-1 (ZO-1), lysozyme (LYS) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression, compared with FM (P < 0.05). Moreover, SBM50 and SBM75 decreased final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate, and increased the lamina propria width than FM (P < 0.05). Furthermore, SBM25 dramatically reduced Actinobacteriota, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, and Streptococcus abundance (P < 0.05). Compared to SM25, SM75 dramatically increased Brucella abundance (P < 0.05). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin) and gut microbiota (Aurantimicrobium and Brucella) have a significant association with gut inflammation and fish growth (P < 0.05). These results showed that gut dysbiosis and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction are major contributors to the soybean meal-induced growth retardation and gut inflammation in fish.

Pre-housing fasting and diet physical form impact broiler chicks’ gastrointestinal development along the first week of housing

This study aimed to evaluate body and gastrointestinal development in broilers chicks subjected or not to pre-housing fasting and different diet physical forms during the first week of housing. Nine hundred chicks were distributed into a completely randomized design in a 3×3 factorial arrangement: 0, 24 and 48 hours(h) of fasting; mashed (MM), crushed (CC) and micropelletized (MP) physical forms. For each fasting period, 300 animals were housed in protection circles with 100 chicks each. On days 1, 3, 5 and 7 of feeding, six animals were randomly selected, previously weighed and euthanized to obtain organs biometrical and histological data. Chicks fasted for 24 h and 48 h were lighter compared to the 0 h group and the 24-h fasting x MP interaction had a positive impact on body weight at d7 (P<0.05). Although fasted chicks presented lower body weight, small intestine, liver and gizzard were heavier, and presented greater yolk sac consumption (YSC; P<0.05). There were no alterations in the duodenal mucosa (DM) in pre-housing fasting animals (P>0.05). Despite the diet physical form and pre-housing fasting interactions for villus height (VH) and absorptive area (AA) on d1, only diet physical form affected DM, where greater VH and AA on d7 were observed in CC and MP groups (P<0.05). Animals fed MP after 48 h fasting presented smaller VH and AA compared to chicks fed the same diet after 24 h and were similar to the 0 h group (P<0.05). On d1, YSC was similar among groups of the same diet, but for those fed with MP(P<0.05). The 48 h-fasted group presented heavier intestines relative weights (IRW) at d1(P<0.05). Furthermore, the 0 h group fed with CC presented higher IRW, whereas MP showed the lowest IRW over the first week (P<0.05). The DM development (kinetics) showed an increase in VH and AA overtime in all groups, which was more pronounced in 48 h-fasting chicks throughout the first week, showing the highest increase in VH when fed with MP (P<0.05). VH:CD ratio was similar along the first week in MP groups, regardless of the fasting period but more pronounced in the 24 h group fed MM and CC (P<0.05). Therefore, 24 h fasting associated to MP diet may be the most efficient management practice. Collectively, these findings suggest pre-housing fasting is strongly associated with diet physical form at the first week of housing and should be considered to achieve greater performance in broilers.

Multi-Omics Revealed Resveratrol and β-Hydroxy-β-methyl Butyric Acid Alone or in Combination Improved the Jejunal Function in Tibetan Sheep.

Previous research studies confirmed that both resveratrol (RES) and β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyric acid (HMB) improved growth performance by altering intestinal microbiota. However, the mechanism underlying of RES and HMB on intestinal function remains unclear in ruminant. In this study, supplements of RES and HMB alone or in combination were evaluated as promoters of antioxidant capacity, immune response and barrier function, and modulators of the microbiota and metabolite profiles in the jejunum of Tibetan sheep. A total of 120 two-month-old Tibetan rams were randomly divided into four treatments (n = 30 per treatment), which were supplemented with a basal diet with 1.5 g RES/d (RES group), 1.25 g HMB/d (HMB group), 1.5 g RES/d plus 1.25 g HMB/d (RES-HMB group), and without additions (Control group). The results showed that RES and HMB improved the antioxidant capacity (CAT, GSH-Px, SOD, and T-AOC), immunity (IgA, IgG, and IgM), and digestive enzyme activity (α-amylase, lipase, and chymotrypsin) of the experimental lambs (p < 0.05). Additionally, jejunal morphology including villus width, villus height, and muscle layer thickness exhibited a significant difference when rams were fed diets supplemented with RES and HMB (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the determination of fermentation parameters showed that the butyrate concentration in the RES-HMB group was greater than those in the C and RES groups (p < 0.05). When compared to the C group, barrier-related gene expression (MUC-2, ZO-1, and IL-10) was significantly increased in the RES-HMB group (p < 0.05). Dietary RES and (or) HMB supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Methanobrevibacter, Actinobacteriota and Bacillus (p < 0.05). The abundance of differential bacteria was positively associated with butyrate concentration (p < 0.05). Metabolome analysis revealed that alpha ketoglutarate, succinic semialdehyde, and diacetyl as well as butanoate metabolism pathways connected to the improvements in butyrate concentration by RES and (or) HMB supplementation. Collectively, our results suggested that RES and (or) HMB supplementation improved butyrate concentration via regulating the microbial community (Methanobrevibacter, Actinobacteriota and Bacillus) and metabolism (alpha ketoglutarate, succinic semialdehyde, and diacetyl), thus contributing to jejunal morphology, antioxidant capacity, immune response, digestive enzyme activity, and barrier function.