Correlation between villous height and the disaccharidase activity in the small intestine of piglets from nursing to growing

Early weaning induces villous atrophy in the small intestine. Reduction in villous height in the small intestine after weaning is associated with reductions in brush‐border enzyme activity. Body weight gain after weaning is, therefore, correlated with villous height. This evidence suggested that the maintenance of small intestinal structure and function after weaning is important for the growth of young pigs. On the other hand, the relationship between villous height and the activity of the digestive enzymes in the small intestine has not been studied with piglets from the suckling to the growing period. Five suckling piglets, four piglets in the proximal stage of weaning, four pigs in the distal stage of weaning and four growing pigs were used. The activities of lactase (LA), sucrase (SA) and maltase (MA) were determined. LA showed a positive correlation with villous height in weaning. SA and MA were positively correlated with villous height from suckling to growing. In a previous study, non‐infectious dyspeptic diarrhea was frequently observed in growing piglets on Japanese swine farms. The maintenance of villous height to retain disaccharidase activity may prevent dyspepsic diarrhea in this stage.     

Small intestinal morphology and activity of intestinal peptidases in piglets around weaning

The effect of weaning on small intestinal morphology and the activities of three intestinal peptidases was investigated from 3 days prior to weaning to 9 days post-weaning in 64 piglets. Villous height, crypt depth and mitotic counts were determined at three positions along the small intestine. The activities of aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were measured at five positions along the small intestine. The villous height was maximal on the day of weaning. Post-weaning, the villi shortened at the proximal positions of the small intestine and the minimal length was observed on day 3 after weaning. Villous height did not decrease distally in the small intestine. Increased crypt depth was observed from 3-7 days post-weaning at all positions examined. Mitotic counts showed increased proliferative activity in the crypts from the third day post-weaning. Weaning influenced the activity of aminopeptidase N and dipeptidylpeptidase IV. The activities declined until day 3 post-weaning. After that, the activities increased and they had reached pre-weaning values by day 9 post-weaning. Weaning had only minor effect on the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. In summary, weaning induced changes in small intestinal morphology and enzyme activity. The changes were maximal on day 3 post-weaning and during the following days, a gradual recovery of the small intestine was observed.     

Effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharide on villous height and disaccharidase activity of the small intestine,pH, VFA and ammonia concentrations in the large intestine of weaned pigs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to investigate changes in the lumen and wall of the intestinal tract of weaned pigs caused by fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and consequences for growth. Twelve male pigs weaned at 24 days were individually housed and fed either control, 0.25% FOS, or 3% FOS diets for 21 days after weaning. The pH of chyme in the caecum and proximal colon were lower (p<0.001) in 3% FOS compared to other treatments. Mean molar proportions (%) of total SCFA values along the large intestine were significantly affected by FOS diet. Acetic acid was significantly higher in control compared with other treatments. Butyric acid and isobutyric acid were significantly increased in 0.25 and 3% FOS compared to the control. Feed intake, empty body weight gain, disaccharidase activities and villous height in the small intestine were not significantly affected by FOS. It was concluded that dietary FOS stimulates fermentation in the large intestine, but does not significantly affect enzyme activity, ammonia content, villous height and growth.     

断乳前后乳猪消化道(胰、小肠内容物)几种消化酶活性变化的研究

测定乳猪胰脏、小肠内容物中淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、胰凝乳蛋白酶的活性以观察年龄对其影响。10头乳猪从21、28、35、42、49日龄分别被屠宰，乳猪在28日龄断奶。胰、小肠内容物中的淀粉酶，胰蛋白酶和胰凝乳蛋白酶的总活性从21日龄至35日龄均呈逐渐上升趋势；35日龄后出现下降，断奶可能会造成多数消化酶的活性降低。但随着进食刺激则酶活会很快恢复并呈上升趋势。     

Small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early-weaned piglets fed a diet containing spray-dried porcine plasma

The purpose of this study was to test whether dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in early-weaned piglets prevents small intestinal villus atrophy by trophic or protective activity. Fifty-four weaned, 18-day-old piglets were used to determine the effect of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth, enterocyt mitotic activity and brush border enzyme activities during the first week after weaning. The piglets were offered a diet containing either 8% SDPP or 8% casein. At 2 and 7 days after weaning, piglets were anaesthetized to provide samples of the small intestinal wall and killed immediately afterwards. There were no differences in daily gain and daily feed intake between the two dietary treatments. At day 2 after weaning, all piglets showed a marked reduction in villus height when compared with baseline values. In all piglets, small intestinal enterocyte mitotic activity had decreased by day 2 and was increased again on day 7. There were no significant effects of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth and enterocyt mitotic activity. This indicates that SDPP has no trophic effect on the small intestinal mucosa and that it does not protect against the damaging effect on the small intestinal villi that is associated with the process of weaning. There was no effect of SDPP on lactase-, sucrase- or maltase-specific activities that are a measure of the digestive function of the small intestine. It can be concluded that SDPP versus casein has no effect on small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early weaned piglets kept under low infection pressure.     

断奶应激对仔猪肠黏膜形态的影响

在仔猪断奶过渡期，胃肠结构受损是很普遍的，断奶后一段时间内，胃肠结构受损程度不同，本文研究了断奶后7d内（断奶后0-6d)，仔猪小肠黏膜形态的变化，试验仔猪28日龄断奶。试验分7组，每组6头仔猪。从断奶当天开始，每1d定时定点剖杀取小肠前段，小肠中部，小肠后段作组织切片，观察其绒毛高度，隐窝深度。结果表明，断奶后前4d，绒毛高度缩短，隐窝加深，断奶后第4d绒毛高度最短，断奶后第5d开始恢复。     

Influence of creep feeding and weaning on brush border enzyme activities in the piglet small intestine

The activities of the enterocyte brush border enzymes lactase (beta-D galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.23) and sucrase (sucrose alpha-D glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.48) were measured at set percentage lengths along the small intestines of 112 piglets killed between 21 and 32 days of age. The influences on these activities of consumption of creep feed and of weaning were recorded. Weaning at three weeks old resulted in large, rapid reductions in lactase activity at most sites along the small intestine; sucrase activity declined temporarily and then recovered. Minimum values were recorded about four to five days after weaning. Similar changes were observed whether or not creep feed was consumed before weaning. Continued consumption of creep feed by unweaned pigs over the 21 to 32 day period also produced small but significant reductions in lactase activities. The large loss of digestive enzyme activities at brush borders in weaned animals coincided with a reduced ability to absorb xylose and to checks in growth rate in otherwise healthy piglets.     

Evaluation of the heat‐killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis against villous atrophy in early‐weaned mice and pigs

Early weaning induces villous atrophy in the small intestine (SI) of piglets. Oral administration of live lactic acid bacteria (LAB) can improve villous shortening. In this study, we evaluated the oral administration of a heat‐killed and dried cell preparation of Enterococcus faecalis (a LAB) strain EC‐12 against villous atrophy in early‐weaned mice (Experiment 1) and pigs (Experiments 2 and 3). Twelve 16‐days‐old mice were divided into two groups in Experiment 1: gavage of EC‐12 (10 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day), or control. On day 21, SI was collected. Eighteen 21‐day‐old pigs were divided into two groups in Experiment 2: gavage of EC‐12 (10 mg/kg BW/day), or control. After 10 days, the villous height of jejunum was measured. Six 21‐day‐old pigs were divided into two groups in Experiment 3: the basal diet supplemented with EC‐12 at 0.05%‐fed group, or the basal diet‐fed group. After 10 days, the villous height of jejunum was measured. The villous heights in SI were significantly higher by EC‐12 administration in all experiments. EC‐12 successfully improved the villous atrophy in the early‐weaned mice and pigs when EC‐12 was administered orally.     

不同断奶日龄仔猪血液中生长相关激素的检测

为探讨断奶日龄对仔猪血液生长相关激素指标的影响,试验从8窝"杜×长×大"仔猪中选取出生日龄相近、初生体重一致的健康仔猪24头,随机分为4个试验组,每个试验组设6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,4组仔猪分别于14、21、28、35日龄断奶。至42日龄时,所有仔猪宰杀采血,利用放射免疫分析法进行血浆生长激素(GH)、胰岛素(INS)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)和四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)含量检测。结果表明,不同日龄组断奶仔猪血浆GH、T3和T4水平无显著性差异(P0.05);35日龄组断奶仔猪血浆INS含量显著高于14日龄断奶组(P0.05)。结果提示,不同断奶日龄对仔猪生长相关激素无显著影响。     

断奶日龄对仔猪心肌、背最长肌和半腱肌抗氧化功能的影响

为研究不同断奶日龄对仔猪心肌、背最长肌和半腱肌抗氧化功能的影响,试验选取受试仔猪24头,随机分为4个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,各处理仔猪分别在14日龄、21日龄、28日龄和35日龄断奶,所有仔猪在42日龄宰杀取样.测定仔猪相应组织的MDA含量和抗氧化酶活性.结果表明,随着断奶日龄的推迟,仔猪心肌、背最长肌和半腱肌中MDA含量逐渐降低,35日龄断奶组仔猪心肌MDA含量显著低于14日龄组（P＜0.05）,28日龄和35日龄断奶组背最长肌和半腱肌MDA含量显著低于14日龄组（P＜0.05）;与28日龄和35日龄断奶组相比,14日龄断奶组心肌T-SOD、GSH-Px活性（P＜0.05）以及半腱肌GSH-Px活性均显著降低（P＜0.05）,各断奶日龄组仔猪背最长肌抗氧化酶活性无显著差异.以上结果提示,仔猪断奶日龄越早,其肌肉组织脂质过氧化反应越强,抗氧化功能越低.     

日粮蛋白质来源对早期断奶仔猪胃内消化酶活性的影响

本试验将95头新生迪卡小公猪随机分为4组,第1、2、3组每组19头,均由两头经产母猪哺乳喂养,21日龄断奶。第4组仔猪38头,由4头经产母猪哺乳喂养,35日龄断奶。7日龄起至35日龄各组仔猪分别饲喂不同蛋白质来源的日粮。试验各组仔猪在24、28和35日龄进行屠宰试验,取胃内样品进行酶活性测定。试验结果表明:21日龄断奶使仔猪胃内蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性显著降低,酶活性在1周内不能得到完全恢复,胃蛋白酶活性可在断奶后2周得到恢复;全植物性蛋白日粮使早期断奶仔猪胃内蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性显著降低;日粮中加一定量乳清粉和动物性蛋白质饲料能有效提高胃蛋白酶和脂肪酶的活性。因此,断奶及日粮蛋白质来源显著影响早期断奶仔猪胃内消化酶活性。     

Differences in the development of the small intestine between gnotobiotic and conventionally bred piglets

The effects of age, weaning and breeding conditions on the small intestinal morphology and the distribution of immunocompetent cells were investigated. The villus height and numbers of CD3+ T-lymphocytes, measured in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, were determined in both the gnotobiotic and conventionally bred piglets. The diet of gnotobiotic piglets was composed of milk-replacement and feed mixtures. The application of milk replacement was finished on day 28. Conventional piglets were fed on sow's milk and feed mixtures. The animals were weaned on day 28. Small intestines were collected from 12 conventional and 12 gnotobiotic piglets slaughtered at the age of 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days. The morphology results demonstrated that duodenal and ileal villi were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in gnotobiotic piglets during the entire period of the experiment. However, the weight of conventional piglets was higher during the experiment, in some cases significantly (p < 0.05). A marked reduction, in some cases significant (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively), of the villi height on day 7 after the diet change for both groups of animals was recorded. The results demonstrate the differences in the gut development between both groups and their relationship to the breeding conditions. Nevertheless, the effect of crucial diet changes was observed independently of them. The immunohistochemistry results showed significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively) higher numbers of CD3+ T-lymphocytes in the jejunal villi of conventionally bred piglets. Similar results, in some cases significant (p < 0.001, p < 0.01 respectively), were also obtained from the other parts of the small intestine. These observations confirm reduced microorganism exposure under the gnotobiotic conditions.     

不同断奶日龄对仔猪脾脏生长相关基因表达的影响

为研究不同断奶日龄对仔猪脾脏中生长激素受体(growth hormone receptor,GHR)、胰岛素样生长因子-1(insulin like growth factor-1,IGF-1)和胰岛素样生长因子-1受体(insulin like growth factor-1 receptor,IGF-1R)基因表达的影响,试验选取体重相近、健康的杜×长×大仔猪24头,随机分为4组(14、21、28和35日龄断奶组),每个试验组6个重复,每个重复1头仔猪,至42日龄时全部宰杀取样,用RT-PCR方法检测脾脏中上述基因的相对表达水平.结果表明,14和21日龄断奶组仔猪脾脏GHR mRNA的相对表达量显著高于35日龄断奶组(P<0.05);不同断奶日龄组仔猪脾脏中的IGF-1 mRNA的相对表达量均无显著性变化(P>0.05);35日龄断奶组仔猪脾脏中IGF-1R mRNA的相对表达量显著高于28日龄断奶组(P<0.05).结果提示,不同断奶日龄对仔猪脾脏相关生长基因表达影响的模式不同;不同断奶日龄脾脏IGF-1R mRNA的表达可能受脾脏自身局部IGF-1的调控.     

胎儿宫内发育迟缓对新生仔猪小肠消化酶发育的影响

利用自然选择法从14窝初生仔猪选择14头正常仔猪和14头宫内发育迟缓（IUGR）仔猪，随机分成3组：初生组（DO）、母乳饲喂3d组（D3）和母乳饲喂7d组（D7），分别在0、3、7d屠宰以研究胎儿宫内发育迟缓对新生仔猪小肠消化酶发育的影响。初生时，正常仔猪小肠乳糖酶的总活性和比活性都显著高于IUGR仔猪。IUGR仔猪小肠氨基肽酶的总活性和比活性都低于正常仔猪，其中总活性的差异极显著。IUGR仔猪小肠的麦芽糖酶总活性显著低于正常仔猪，但比活性在2组间没有显著差异。2组间碱性磷酸酶的比活性和总活性都没有显著差异。生长至3日龄时，正常仔猪和IUGR仔猪间麦芽糖酶和碱性磷酸酶活性没有显著差异，而2组间乳糖酶总活性和氨基肽酶总活性的差异显著。7日龄时，正常仔猪和IUGR仔猪乳糖酶、麦芽糖酶、氨基肽酶和碱性磷酸酶活性均没有显著差异。试验结果表明宫内发育迟缓抑制了小肠乳糖酶和氨基肽酶的成熟，而麦芽糖酶和碱性磷酸酶表现出早熟。同时又表明，胎儿宫内发育迟缓仔猪的肠道功能发育在生后1周内能部分实现补偿生长，而且补偿生长的实现是随着日龄增加逐步完全的。     

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 50 d of age in Treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. This was equivalent to 12 h, 3 d, 1 week, 2 week postweaning in Treatment 1; 12 h, 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.     

谷氨酰胺对早期断奶仔猪生长性能及肠道形态发育的影响

选21日龄断奶的杜大长仔猪72头,按试验要求分为2组,每组3个重复,每重复12头。分别饲喂基础日粮和含1%谷氨酰胺(Gln)日粮,试验期21 d,在断奶后0 d、7 d和14 d分别屠宰取小肠测重,并取十二指肠、空肠、回肠测定绒毛高度和隐窝深度。试验结果表明:断奶后7 d,日粮中添加Gln可显著提高仔猪的平均日增重和小肠相对重量,提高十二指肠和空肠绒毛的高度,降低十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度;断奶后14 d,日粮中添加Gln对断奶仔猪的生长和肠道形态发育影响与基础日粮组相比差异不显著。     

Effect of Different Weaning Ages on Main Digestive Enzymes Activities in the Small Intestinal Contents of Lamb

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different weaning ages on pH and the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents of lamb. Fifty-five male lambs of Gansu modern breeding sheep group with(3.43±1.15)kg initial body weight were divided into 3 treatments randomly that were control group (sucking,25 lambs), group Ⅰ (weaning at 28 days old, 15 lambs), and group Ⅱ(weaning at 42 days old,15 lambs).5 lambs from each group were slaughtered at 12 h,7 d and 14 d after weaning,respectively,and the the change of pH and activities of α-amylase,trypsin,chympotrypsin and lipase were measured in the small intestinal contents. The results showed that the effects of pH and the main digestive enzymes activities could be expressed sensitively in the contents of duodenum. From duodenum to ileum,the effects of weaning turned weakening gradually,and it did not show a high-impact on pH,trypsin and lipase activities. There was no significant influence in the recovery time to the normal levels of the main digestive enzymes activities in the small intestinal contents by different weaning ages,the recovery time of α-amylase in group Ⅰ was shorter than group Ⅱ. In this trail condition,it was feasible to wean at 28 days of age,and it had no significant difference in the recovery ability of main digestive enzymes in the small intestinal contents weaning at 28 and 42 days old.     

断奶日龄对舍饲羔羊小肠内容物中主要消化酶活性的影响

为研究早期断奶日龄对羔羊小肠各段pH及主要消化酶活性的影响,选用55只初生重为（3.43±1.15）kg的甘肃现代肉羊育种群哺乳公羔,按同质原则分成3组,即对照组（正常吮乳组,25只）、Ⅰ组（28日龄断奶组,15只）和Ⅱ组（42日龄断奶组,15只）。在断奶12 h、7 d和14 d后从每个处理中随机抽取5只羔羊屠宰,测定小肠各段pH、α-淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶、糜蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性变化。结果显示,十二指肠食糜能够更为敏感地表达断奶对小肠pH及主要消化酶活性的影响。从小肠近端至远端,断奶对各肠段内容物pH及主要消化酶活性的影响逐渐减弱;断奶对小肠内容物pH、胰蛋白酶活性和脂肪酶活性影响较小;断奶日龄对羔羊小肠主要消化酶活性恢复所需要的时间影响不大,28日龄断奶组小肠α-淀粉酶活性恢复时间较42日龄断奶组短。本试验条件下,对羔羊实施28日龄断奶可行,且羔羊小肠主要消化酶活性恢复能力不逊于42日龄断奶羔羊。     

Pre-weaning eating activity and morphological parameters in the small and large intestine of piglets

The effect of pre-weaning eating activity on the intestinal morphology in piglets was investigated on the day of weaning and 5 days post-weaning. The eating activity of each piglet was recorded by means of direct observations. On day 5 post-weaning the villous heights were reduced and the crypt depths were increased irrespective of the pre-weaning eating activity. In the caecum and colon the crypt depth was increased post-weaning and no effect of pre-weaning eating activity was observed. The muscle thickness in the small intestine did not change during the immediate post-weaning period whereas the muscle thickness in the large intestine was doubled in the same period. In conclusion, pre-weaning eating activity did not affect the structural alterations of the small and large intestine. However, the actual number of piglets consuming creep feed prior to weaning was low and the eating activity was highly variable. Therefore, more or later weaned piglets may be needed to show effects of pre-weaning eating activity.     

宫内发育迟缓仔猪小肠形态和屏障功能相关基因的表达特征

为了研究宫内发育迟缓(IUGR)仔猪小肠形态和屏障功能相关基因的表达特征,选取24窝"长白×大白"杂交新生仔猪,每窝选取1头IUGR仔猪和1头正常出生体重(NBW)仔猪,分别于7、21和28日龄屠宰8头IUGR仔猪和8头NBW仔猪,采集小肠样品进行分析.结果表明:1)与NBW仔猪相比,IUGR仔猪7日龄时空肠绒毛高度、...