外源粪菌干预对E.coli K88感染仔猪肠形态及肠道屏障功能的影响

选取胎次一致、体质量接近的25日龄杜×长×大三元杂交断奶仔猪12头,随机分为对照组和粪菌移植(fecal microbiota transplantation,FMT)组。2组仔猪均先用E.coli K88攻毒3d,然后给FMT组仔猪灌服金华猪粪便菌悬液3d,对照组灌服等量无菌磷酸钾缓冲液。结果显示:外源粪菌可以改善受体仔猪肠绒毛形态及大肠杆菌引起的肠绒毛损伤,可以抑制K88攻毒引起的肠道通透性增加,提高空肠、结肠中杯状细胞数目,也可相应提高MUC2、紧密连接蛋白(ZO-1,Occludin)的蛋白表达水平。结果表明:粪菌移植可缓解E.coli K88攻毒引起的肠道损伤,改善肠道黏蛋白表达,并提高紧密连接蛋白表达从而增强肠道上皮屏障功能。     

外源精胺对断奶仔猪血液精胺含量、脏器发育和生产性能的影响

研究外源精胺对仔猪血液精胺含量、脏器发育和不同阶段仔猪平均日增重的影响。将9窝胎次和初生体重相近的7日龄"杜×长×大"哺乳仔猪随机分配到0、12和15 mg/kg外源精胺处理组,每组3窝。所有仔猪从7日龄起补饲各自含不同外源精胺添加量的饲粮,21日龄断奶后继续补饲断奶前饲粮,29日龄起停喂外源精胺,3个处理组仔猪采食相同的饲粮至35日龄结束。29日龄早晨空腹称重后,从每窝选2头接近平均体重的仔猪,采集其血液用于检测精胺含量,然后屠宰,测定其脏器重量。结果表明:仔猪血液中的精胺含量随饲粮中外源精胺添加量的增加而升高,3个外源精胺处理组仔猪血液中的精胺含量之间有极显著差异(P0.01);饲粮中添加外源精胺可增加仔猪胃、脾和心脏的重量,但3个处理组之间无显著差异(P0.05);添加外源精胺提高了7~21日龄阶段仔猪的平均日增重(P0.05)并极显著地提高了22~28日龄仔猪的平均日增重(P0.01),且在停喂外源精胺后,外源精胺处理组仔猪29~35日龄的平均日增重仍然大于未补饲外源精胺组仔猪(P0.05)。因此,通过饲粮途径给哺乳仔猪补饲外源精胺能促进仔猪脏器发育并提高仔猪断奶前后的平均日增重,预防仔猪断奶后的失重。     

早期粪菌移植对仔猪肠道发育、肠道菌群组成和肠道激素分泌的影响

本试验旨在研究早期粪菌移植(FMT)对仔猪肠道发育、肠道菌群组成、肠道激素分泌的影响。选取相同出生日期的新生"长×荣"二杂仔猪6窝,分为2组,每组3窝。在出生后3～7 d,FMT组仔猪每天灌喂1 mL健康成年猪的粪便菌悬液,对照组仔猪灌喂等量无菌生理盐水。28日龄时,每组挑选接近平均体重的6头健康仔猪采集静脉血后屠宰,收集相应肠道及内容物样品用于组织形态、激素水平、基因表达和肠道菌群组成的检测。结果表明:1)与对照组仔猪相比,FMT组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)提高了约20%(P0.01),十二指肠绒毛高度极显著降低(P0.01),而隐窝深度极显著增加(P0.01)。2)与对照组仔猪相比,FMT组仔猪血清中胆囊收缩素(CCK)、胰高血糖素样肽-1(GLP-1)和饥饿素(ghrelin)这3种肠道激素的水平不同程度增加,其中GLP-1和ghrelin的水平达到显著水平(P0.05);FMT组仔猪回肠中CCK和ghrelin表达水平显著或极显著增加(P0.05或P0.01),CCK的受体胆囊收缩素A受体(CCKAR)和胆囊收缩素B受体(CCKBR)的mRNA相对表达量同样显著或极显著增加(P 0.05或P 0.01),而ghrelin的受体生长激素促分泌素受体(GHSR)的mRNA相对表达量无显著变化(P0.05);FMT组仔猪结肠中GLP-1的表达水平极显著升高(P0.01),其受体胰高血糖素样肽-1受体(GLP-1R)的mRNA相对表达量有上升趋势(P0.05)。3)FMT明显改变了受体仔猪回肠中的菌群结构,增加了结肠菌群的alpha多样性。在门水平上,与对照组仔猪相比,FMT组仔猪回肠中厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)的相对丰度增加,而变形菌门(Proteobacteria)的相对丰度减少;在属水平上,与对照组仔猪相比,FMT组仔猪回肠中乳杆菌属(Lactobacillus)的相对丰度减少,SMB53、Sarcina和棒状杆菌属(Corynebacterium)的相对丰度增加。2组仔猪的结肠菌群组成差异不明显。4)将肠道中相对丰度排在前3位的菌群与肠道激素表达水平进行Spearman相关性分析,发现回肠中韦荣球菌属(Veillonella)和嗜血杆菌属(Haemophilus)的相对丰度与GLP-1表达水平呈显著负相关(P0.05);结肠中颤螺菌属(Oscillospira)的相对丰度与GLP-1表达水平呈极显著正相关(P0.01),密螺旋体属(Treponema)的相对丰度与CCK表达水平呈显著正相关(P0.05),而瘤胃球菌属(Ruminococcus)和拟杆菌属(Bacteroides)的相对丰度与CCK表达水平呈显著负相关(P0.05)。这些结果表明早期FMT能够加速受体仔猪的生长和肠道发育,并通过干预肠道菌群组成的变化影响肠道激素的分泌和传递。     

21日龄断奶对仔猪肠道形态、肠道通透性及肠黏膜屏障的影响

本试验旨在研究21日龄断奶对仔猪肠道形态、肠道通透性及肠黏膜屏障的影响。采用2×3双因子完全随机试验设计,组别(哺乳组、断奶组)和日龄(22、24和28日龄)为2个主效应。选取6窝体况相近的健康大白仔猪,每窝选取6头平均体重为(6.1±0.2)kg的仔猪,随机分为2组,分别为断奶组和哺乳组,每组18头,分别于22、24和28日龄时屠宰,测定其生长性能、肠道形态、肠道通透性及肠黏膜屏障。结果表明:1)28日龄时,断奶组仔猪的末重和平均日增重均极显著低于哺乳组(P0.01)。2)组别和日龄对仔猪的空肠隐窝深度和绒毛高度/隐窝深度、回肠绒毛高度有极显著交互作用(P0.01);断奶组的空肠、回肠隐窝深度极显著高于哺乳组(P0.01),空肠、回肠绒毛高度和绒毛高度/隐窝深度极显著低于哺乳组(P0.01);哺乳组28日龄时的空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度极显著高于22和24日龄时(P0.01),24日龄时的回肠绒毛高度极显著高于22日龄时(P0.01)。3)组别和日龄对仔猪的空肠黏膜二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性有显著交互作用(P0.05),断奶组的空肠、回肠黏膜DAO活性显著低于哺乳组(P0.05)。4)组别和日龄对仔猪空肠黏膜闭锁蛋白(occludin)的mRNA表达量有极显著交互作用(P0.01);空肠黏膜闭锁小带蛋白1(ZO-1)和哺乳组空肠黏膜occludin的mRNA表达量随着日龄的增加先升高后降低(P0.05);与哺乳组相比,断奶组回肠黏膜ZO-1、occludin和24日龄时空肠黏膜occludin的mRNA表达量显著降低(P0.05);24日龄时回肠黏膜ZO-1的mRNA表达量显著高于22日龄时(P0.05)。5)组别和日龄对仔猪空肠黏膜肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的mRNA表达量有显著交互作用(P0.05);断奶组24和28日龄时空肠黏膜TNF-α的mRNA表达量显著高于哺乳组(P0.05),空肠黏膜白细胞介素10(IL-10)的mRNA表达量显著低于哺乳组(P0.05)。回肠黏膜白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)的mRNA表达量随着日龄的增加而降低(P0.05)。综上所述,哺乳仔猪22~28日龄时肠道发育趋于成熟,而断奶会破坏仔猪肠道上皮细胞的结构和紧密连接蛋白的mRNA表达,引起肠道绒毛变短和脱落、肠道通透性增加和炎症反应,降低平均日增重。     

P38 MAPK在断奶应激致仔猪肠黏膜屏障损伤中的作用

选用21日龄杜长大仔猪60头,随机分成3组,每组20头.①哺乳组:不断奶继续哺乳;②断奶组;③试验组:断奶前1h腹腔注射P38 MAPK通路抑制剂(SB203580)2 mg/kg,之后隔日同一时间同剂量注射.仔猪21日龄断奶,试验期为7d.分别于21,22,24,28日龄屠宰仔猪取样待测.结果表明,在22和24日龄时,试验组绒毛高度分别高于断奶组12.06％和13.49％,差异显著(P＜0.05);24和28日龄时,试验组隐窝深度分别低于断奶组11.21％和12.12％,差异显著(P＜0.05);22,24,28日龄时,试验组绒毛高度隐窝深度之比显著高于断奶组(P＜0.05).试验组血浆D乳酸含量和DAO活性在22,24,28日龄时均显著低于断奶组(P＜0.05).与断奶组相比,试验组显著降低了22日龄空肠、24日龄和28日龄回肠肠黏膜TNF α的含量(P＜0.05),而与哺乳组相比差异不显著(P＞0.05).试验结果提示:阻断P38MAPK通路可能通过降低肠黏膜TNF-α的产生,缓解断奶仔猪的肠道炎症,保护肠黏膜屏障;P38 MAPK信号通路在断奶应激致小肠黏膜屏障受损过程中起调控作用.     

妊娠后期母猪和仔猪补饲外源精胺对初生和28日龄仔猪肠道形态结构及二糖酶活性的影响

本文通过研究妊娠后期母猪和仔猪补饲外源精胺对初生和28日龄仔猪肠道形态结构和二糖酶活性的影响,初步探讨干预“仔猪早期断奶综合征”的技术措施.试验第1阶段,选择6头体重和膘情相近、胎次为3、已怀孕91 d的健康“长×大”母猪,随机分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ3个组,每个组设2个重复,每个重复1头母猪.Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组妊娠母猪饲粮中外源精胺的添加量为0、1.5和3.0 mg/kg,饲喂至分娩结束;第2阶段,分娩后母猪采食同一种不含外源精胺的饲粮,Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ组哺乳仔猪于7日龄起相应补饲外源精胺添加量为0、3.0和6.0 mg/kg的哺乳仔猪饲粮至28日龄.在仔猪初生和28日龄时,分别从每窝仔猪中选1头接近平均体重的健康仔猪进行屠宰,用于胃肠发育指标的测定.结果表明:与未添加外源精胺相比,妊娠母猪饲粮添加3.0 mg/kg外源精胺显著提高了初生仔猪十二指肠和回肠的柱状细胞数量、十二指肠和空肠的杯状细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著增加了空肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05),显著提高了麦芽糖酶和蔗糖酶比活力(P＜0.05);哺乳仔猪饲粮添加6.0 mg/kg外源精胺显著增加了28日龄仔猪空肠黏膜重(P＜0.05),显著提高了十二指肠和空肠的麦芽糖酶和蔗糖酶比活力(P＜0.05),极显著增加了空肠柱状细胞和杯状细胞数量(P＜0.01),极显著增加了十二指肠和空肠隐窝深度(P＜0.01).因此,在妊娠后期母猪和哺乳仔猪饲粮中添加外源精胺有利于初生和28日龄仔猪肠道形态结构的改善和二糖酶活性的提高.     

粪菌液来源及添加量对断奶仔猪生长性能与下痢率的影响

为研究粪菌液来源及添加量对断奶仔猪生长性能与下痢率的影响,试验选用360头杜×长×大断奶健康仔猪,随机分为12组,每组3个重复,每个重复10头仔猪,其中1~3组为对照组,饲喂基础饲粮;4~12组为试验组,在饲喂基础饲粮的基础上,分别灌喂由健康怀孕母猪、哺乳母猪、断奶仔猪粪便制成的粪菌液。每种粪菌液添加量设10、30、50 mL 3个梯度。从断奶第1天起,每天上、下午各灌喂1次,连续灌喂4 d,4 d后仅喂基础饲料。结果表明:不同来源的粪菌液对仔猪的生长性能与下痢率均无显著影响(P0.05),粪菌来源与添加量对仔猪的生长性能与下痢率的影响均无显著交互作用(P0.05);随着粪菌添加量的增加,对各组仔猪的生长性能和下痢率作用效果显著增加(P0.05)。在本试验条件下,健康怀孕母猪、哺乳母猪和断奶仔猪均可作为粪菌供体,最适粪菌液添加量为50 mL。     

低聚半乳糖对脂多糖刺激哺乳仔猪盲肠微生物区系、肠道炎症和屏障功能的影响

本试验旨在研究低聚半乳糖(GOS)对脂多糖(LPS)刺激的哺乳仔猪盲肠微生物区系、肠道炎症和屏障功能的影响。选取18头初始体重[(1.57±0.05)kg]相近的新生哺乳仔猪,随机分为对照组、LPS刺激组和GOS添加组,每组6头。GOS添加组的仔猪每天灌喂1 g/kg BW的GOS溶液,对照组和LPS刺激组的仔猪灌喂等量无菌生理盐水。第14天,LPS刺激组和GOS添加组的仔猪腹腔注射80μg/kg BW的LPS溶液,对照组的仔猪腹腔注射等量无菌生理盐水。所有仔猪在腹腔注射LPS溶液或无菌生理盐水2 h后屠宰取样。结果表明:1)与LPS刺激组相比,GOS添加组的Shannon指数有升高的趋势(P=0.051);在门水平上,GOS添加组盲肠食糜中厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)的相对丰度显著提高(P<0.05);在属水平上,GOS添加组盲肠食糜中粪杆菌真核菌群([Eubacterium]_coprostanoligenes_group)、考拉杆菌属(Phascolarctobacterium)、普氏菌属2(Prevotella_2)、毛螺菌科NK4A136群(Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group)和粪杆菌属(Faecalibacterium)的相对丰度显著或极显著提高(P<0.05或P<0.01)。2)与LPS刺激组相比,GOS添加组仔猪盲肠食糜中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总短链脂肪酸含量显著或极显著提高(P<0.05或P<0.01),盲肠食糜pH显著降低(P<0.05)。3)与LPS刺激组相比,GOS添加组盲肠黏膜中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量显著降低(P<0.05)。4)与LPS刺激组相比,GOS添加组盲肠黏膜中闭合蛋白-1(claudin-1)的蛋白表达水平显著提高(P<0.05),闭合小环蛋白-1(ZO-1)的蛋白表达水平有提高的趋势(P=0.075)。由此可见,早期GOS干预可以调节LPS刺激的哺乳仔猪的盲肠菌群结构,提高盲肠食糜中短链脂肪酸含量,并可以缓解LPS造成的肠道炎症反应和维持肠道屏障功能。     

母猪饲粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌对哺乳仔猪血浆生化参数、粪便微生物及其代谢产物的影响

本试验旨在研究母猪饲粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌对哺乳仔猪血浆生化参数、粪便微生物及其代谢产物的影响。试验选用2~4胎次、预产期相近的妊娠第85天的健康大白猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20头猪。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组在基础饲粮中添加250 g/t的枯草芽孢杆菌制剂。从母猪妊娠第85天开始饲喂至产后第21天结束。分别于仔猪7和21日龄,每组选取8窝仔猪,每窝选1头体重接近的仔猪,前腔静脉采血,测定血浆生化参数;采集新鲜粪便样品,测定其中微生物数量及短链脂肪酸、生物胺含量。结果表明:与对照组相比,试验组7日龄仔猪粪便中乙酸和色胺含量显著增加(P0.05),粪便中大肠杆菌数量显著降低(P0.05),粪便中亚精胺(P=0.068)和精胺(P=0.074)含量以及乳酸杆菌/大肠杆菌(P=0.053)呈增加趋势;试验组21日龄仔猪血浆尿素氮和甘油三酯含量以及粪便中亚精胺和精胺含量显著降低(P0.05)。综上所述,母猪饲粮中添加枯草芽孢杆菌可调控哺乳仔猪脂代谢和氮代谢相关血浆生化参数,减少肠道中大肠杆菌数量,增加肠道内容物生物胺和乙酸含量,从而改善哺乳仔猪的肠道健康和生长发育。     

饲喂人工乳对14日龄断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道抗氧化能力及屏障功能的影响

本试验旨在探究饲喂人工乳对14日龄断奶仔猪生长性能、肠道抗氧化能力及屏障功能的影响。选取14窝共112头平均体重为(4.79±0.56) kg的14日龄"长×大"二元杂交仔猪,随机分为21日龄断奶组和14日龄断奶组,每组7个重复,每个重复8头仔猪。21日龄断奶组仔猪14～21日龄时由原圈母猪饲喂母乳,14日龄断奶组仔猪断奶后饲喂人工乳至21日龄,2组均于22日龄时开始饲喂相同的教槽料,试验期14 d。结果表明:与21日龄断奶相比,1)14日龄断奶极显著降低仔猪15～21日龄时的平均日增重(ADG)(P0.01),显著提高22～28日龄时的平均日采食量(ADFI)(P0.05),显著降低21日龄体重和腹泻率(P0.05);2)14日龄断奶极显著降低仔猪的空肠隐窝深度(P0.01),极显著提高空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度(P0.01);3)14日龄断奶极显著提高仔猪回肠NLR家族Pyrin域蛋白3(NLRP3)的mRNA相对表达量(P 0.01),显著降低空肠黏膜过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性(P0.05)。综上所述,与21日龄断奶相比,人工乳饲喂14日龄断奶仔猪降低28日龄时仔猪的体重、空肠抗氧化能力和屏障功能,但对仔猪28日龄时的肠道形态有改善作用,并降低其腹泻率。     

益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道pH、黏膜形态结构和挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响

本试验旨在研究益生菌制剂对早期断奶仔猪肠道pH、黏膜形态结构和挥发性脂肪酸含量的影响.选用48头平均体重为(6.39±0.42)kg的(21±2)日龄“杜×长×大”三元杂交断奶仔猪,按性别、体重和窝源基本一致原则随机分为2个组,每个组4个重复,每个重复6头猪.试验1组为对照组,采用基础饲粮;试验2组为益生菌组,每千克基础饲粮中添加1×109 CFU活菌.试验期为21d.结果表明:1)28日龄时,益生菌组回肠内容物pH显著低于对照组(P＜0.05).2)和对照组相比,添加益生菌制剂,28日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度和上皮内淋巴细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著提高回肠杯状细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低回肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05);35日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度(P＜0.05),显著提高空肠上皮内淋巴细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低空肠、回肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05);42日龄时,显著增加空肠、回肠绒毛高度,显著提高空肠上皮内淋巴细胞和杯状细胞数量(P＜0.05),显著降低空肠隐窝深度(P＜0.05).3)28日龄时,益生菌组盲肠内容物中丁酸和乳酸含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05);35日龄和42日龄时,益生菌组盲肠内容物中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和乳酸含量显著高于对照组(P＜0.05).由结果可知,添加益生菌制剂能改善断奶应激对绒毛高度和隐窝深度的影响,提高肠道淋巴细胞数量和挥发性脂肪酸含量,降低肠道pH,从而缓解断奶应激对肠道环境的影响.     

早期断奶对仔猪空肠和回肠兴奋性氨基酸载体1表达的影响

本试验旨在研究仔猪出生后10~20 d,早期断奶仔猪小肠谷氨酸转运载体基因表达情况与哺乳仔猪的差异。试验分别从40头不同母猪的仔猪中各选出体重相近,10日龄的"杜×长×大"三元杂交仔猪1头,共40头仔猪,随机不配对分为2组,每组20头仔猪,对照组(哺乳组)为哺乳仔猪,随母猪喂养;试验组(断奶组)为断奶仔猪,隔离断奶饲养;试验期10 d。饲养结束,每组随机取12只仔猪,宰杀取空肠和回肠,测定谷氨酸转运载体兴奋性氨基酸转运载体1(EAAC1)蛋白质表达情况和游离氨基酸含量。结果显示,断奶显著降低了仔猪空肠和回肠EAAC1(57和73 ku)及其相关蛋白谷氨酸转运联合蛋白(GTRAP3-18)(50 ku)的蛋白质和mRNA表达量(P0.05)。断奶提高了仔猪空肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,却降低了仔猪回肠游离谷氨酸和总氨基酸含量,差异显著(P0.05)。结果提示,早期断奶降低EAAC1和GTRAP3-18的蛋白质含量,这可能与早期断奶仔猪遭受营养谷氨酸缺乏导致的肠道氨基酸吸收转运障碍有关。     

补铁对高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪的影响

选用高原瘦肉型母系猪白系哺乳仔猪25窝261头，随机按窝分为两组。试验组13窝139头仔猪2日龄，采用深部肌肉注射的方法，头均补给右旋糖苷铁1ml（含铁100mg），对照组12窝122头不注射，在相同条件下哺乳至35日龄断奶。结果表明，试验组窝均成活8．6头，比对照组（7．8头）多0．8头，差异显著（P〈0．05）；断奶个体重分别为7．2kg和7．0kg差异不显著（P〉0．05）；窝均收入试验组比对照组提高13．3％，效益明显。     

The influence of suckling interval on milk production of sows

The objective of this study was to determine whether sow milk yield per gland could be increased by reducing the interval between suckles (suckling interval). Eighteen sows were allocated at their first farrowing to three treatments comprising litter sizes of 6 or 12 piglets or a cross-suckling treatment that was imposed to increase suckling frequency. The cross-suckled treatment comprised two groups of six piglets each. Each suckling group was allowed to suckle the sow during 30-min intervals each day between d 6 and d 28 of lactation. The suckling interval was shorter (P < .05) for cross-suckled sows than for sows suckling single litters of 6 or 12 piglets during early lactation (d 10 to 14) and late lactation (d 24 to 28). Average piglet growth rate between birth and 28 d of age was greatest (P < .05) for piglets in the single litters of six and lowest for piglets in the cross-suckled treatments. Single litters of 12 piglets had the highest (P < .05) litter growth rates, followed by the cross-suckled litters and then the single litters of six piglets. The concentration of lactose and fat in milk from sows remained relatively stable, although milk from the cross-suckled sows contained more protein in early lactation (P < .05). Milk yield of sows was not significantly increased (P > .05) by the cross-suckle treatment, although during early lactation, milk yield tended to be greater from sows in the cross-suckle treatment than from sows suckling single litters of six (8,920 g/d vs 7,819 g/d, P < .1). The concentration of DNA and total RNA and the RNA:DNA ratio in mammary glands was unaffected by treatment (P > .05). Sows with single litters of 12 piglets had the greatest total DNA in their udders (P < .05). However, individual gland weights were heavier (P < .05) in cross-suckled sows than in sows with single litters of 6 or 12 piglets. Increased suckling frequency seemed to play a role in increased mammary gland weight and milk production during lactation.     

Changes in caecal microbiota and mucosal morphology of weaned pigs

An experiment was designed to monitor the changes in caecal microbiota associated with early weaning. Twelve piglets (20+/-2 days) from six different litters were selected from a commercial source. For the two experimental groups, one animal from each litter was weaned onto a post-weaning diet (W) and the other remained with the sow (S). After 1 week, animals were sacrificed and caecal samples taken. Microbial counts for total bacteria, enterobacteria and lactobacilli populations were determined by quantitative PCR using SYBR Green dye. Microbial profiles were assessed by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (t-RFLP). Weaning promoted an increase in the enterobacteria:lactobacilli ratio (0.27 versus 1.67 log/log 16S rRNA gene copy number, P=0.05). Total bacteria and richness of the caecal microbial ecosystem (number of peaks) were similar in both experimental groups (49.3 for S and 53.4 for W, respectively, P=0.22), although the band patterns were clearly grouped in two different clusters by dendogram analysis. Weaning was also associated with a decrease in crypt density, an increase in mytotic index and a decrease in the number of goblet cells. A reduced immunological response was also observed and was manifested by an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes and lymphocyte density in the lamina propria. Weaning appears to be critical in the establishment of the caecal microbiota in pigs with important changes, particularly in microbial groups and in caecal mucosal architecture.     

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.     

强制补饲对早期断奶仔猪腹泻及消化道的影响

选用二元杂交仔猪10窝,随机分为对照组和试验组,8日龄时开始补饲,对照组自由采食,试验组在自由采食基础上,增加强制补饲至21日龄.结果表明,强制补饲可明显增加28日龄断奶仔猪断奶前的饲粮采食量:试验组(600.6±29.97)g,对照组(202.6±16.59)g(P<0.01);断奶前后日增重显著提高(P<0.01);断奶后仔猪腹泻频率显著降低:试验组(14.78±2.13)%,对照组(45.75±6.26)%(P<0.01);28日龄胃内pH值低于4,显著低于对照组(P<0.05);肠道内大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.01);35日龄时,试验组胃质量显著大于对照组(P<0.05),胃和十二指肠黏膜绒毛显著高于对照组(P<0.05).     

Effects of dietary Bacillus amyloliquefaciens supplementation on growth performance,intestinal morphology,inflammatory response,and microbiota of intra-uterine growth retarded weanling piglets

Background: The focus of recent research has been directed toward the probiotic potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(BA) on the gut health of animals. However, little is known about BA's effects on piglets with intra-uterine growth retardation(IUGR). Therefore, this study investigated the effects of BA supplementation on the growth performance,intestinal morphology, inflammatory response, and microbiota of IUGR piglets.Methods: Eighteen litters of newborn piglets were selected at birth, with one normal birth weight(NBW) and two IUGR piglets in each litter(i.e., 18 NBW and 36 IUGR piglets in total). At weaning, the NBW piglet and one of the IUGR piglets were assigned to groups fed a control diet(i.e., the NBW-CON and IUGR-CON groups). The other IUGR piglet was assigned to a group fed the control diet supplemented with 2.0 g BA per kg of diet(i.e., IUGR-BA group). The piglets were thus distributed across three groups for a four-week period.Results: IUGR reduced the growth performance of the IUGR-CON piglets compared with the NBW-CON piglets. It was also associated with decreased vil us sizes, increased apoptosis rates, reduced goblet cel numbers, and an imbalance between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the smal intestine. Supplementation with BA improved the average daily weight gain and the feed efficiency of the IUGR-BA group compared with the IUGR-CON group(P 0.05). The IUGR-BA group exhibited increases in the ratio of jejunal vil us height to crypt depth, in ileal vil us height, and in ileal goblet cel density. They also exhibited decreases in the numbers of jejunal and ileal apoptotic cel s and ileal proliferative cel s(P 0.05). Supplementation with BA increased interleukin 10 content, but it decreased tumor necrosis factor alpha level in the smal intestines of the IUGR-BA piglets(P 0.05). Furthermore, compared with the IUGR-CON piglets, the IUGR-BA piglets had less Escherichia coli in their jejunal digesta, but more Lactobacil us and Bifidobacterium in their ileal digesta(P 0.05).Conclusions: Dietary supplementation with BA improves morphology, decreases inflammatory response, and regulates microbiota in the smal intestines of IUGR piglets, which may contribute to improved growth performance during early life.     

Dietary fibre enrichment of supplemental feed modulates the development of the intestinal tract in suckling piglets

Background: Commercial pre-weaning diets are formulated to be highly digestible and nutrient-dense and contain low levels of dietary fibre. In contrast, pigs in a natural setting are manipulating fibre-rich plant material from a young age. Moreover, dietary fibre affects gastrointestinal tract(GIT) development and health in older pigs. We hypothesised that supplemental diets that contain vegetal fibres are accelerating GIT development in suckling piglets in terms of size and functionality. From d 2 of life, sow-suckled piglets had access to a low fibre diet(CON),a diet with a fermentable long-chain arabinoxylan(lc-AXOS), a diet with a largely non-fermentable purified cellulose(CELL), or a diet containing both fibres. During the initial 2 weeks, the control diet was a high-density milk replacer,followed by a dry and highly digestible creep meal. Upon weaning at 25 d, 15 piglets from each treatment group,identified as eaters and originating from six or seven litters, were sacrificed for post-mortem examination of GIT morphology, small intestinal permeability and metabolic profile of the digesta. The microbiota composition of the mid-colon was evaluated in a sub-set of ten piglets.Results: No major statistical interactions between the fibre sources were observed. Piglets consumed the fibrecontaining milk supplements and creep diets well. Stomach size and small intestinal permeability was not affected.Large intestinal fill was increased with lc-AXOS only, while relative large intestinal weight was increased with both fibre sources(P 0.050). Also, CELL decreased ileal pH and tended to increase ileal DM content compared to CON(P 0.050). Moreover, the concentration of volatile fatty acids was increased in the caecum(P 0.100) and midcolon(P 0.050) by addition of CELL. lc-AXOS only stimulated caecal propionate(P 0.050). The microbiota composition showed a high individual variation and limited dietary impact. Nonetheless, CELL induced minor shifts in specific genera, with notable reductions of Escherichia-Shigella.Conclusions: Adding dietary fibres to the supplemental diet of suckling piglets altered large intestinal morphology but not small intestinal permeability. Moreover, dietary fibre showed effects on fermentation and modest changes of microbial populations in the hindgut, with more prominent effects from the low-fermentable cellulose.