Fasting and refeeding modulate the expression of stress proteins along the gastrointestinal tract of weaned pigs

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of young mammals is submitted to aggressions early in life and GIT stress proteins are up-regulated in pigs following weaning. We hypothesized that transient food deprivation may contribute to these changes. Therefore, the effects of fasting and refeeding on GIT stress proteins in weaned pigs were investigated. A complete block experimental design with three groups of five pigs each was set up with the following treatments: A - food offered, B - fasted for 1.5 days, C - fasted for 1.5 days and then re-fed for 2.5 days. After slaughter, the GIT was removed, weighed and sampled. Intestinal villi and crypts were measured and alkaline phosphatase activity was determined. GIT tissue stress protein concentrations were measured by Western blotting. Fasting led to intestinal mucosa and villous-crypt atrophy (p < 0.01) and reduced mucosal alkaline phosphatase total activity in the proximal small intestine (p < 0.05). Heat shock proteins HSP 27 and HSP 90 (but not HSP 70) and neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) increased (p < 0.01) in the stomach, mid-intestine and proximal colon with fasting. Inducible NOS (iNOS) did so in the stomach (p < 0.001). Refeeding partially or totally restored GIT characteristics and stress protein concentrations, except for gastric HSP 90 and iNOS. Significant correlations (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001) were found among stress proteins, between nNOS and digesta weight, between HSP 27 or HSP 90 and intestinal mucosa weight, and between intestinal or colonic HSP or nNOS and alkaline phosphatase. In conclusion, fasting and refeeding modulate GIT HSP proteins and nNOS in pigs following weaning. Changes in digesta and intestinal mucosa weights and alkaline phosphatase activity may be involved in the modulation of stress proteins along the GIT.     

Technical note: preservation of tissues and gastrointestinal tract portions by plastic coating or plastination.

Two methods to preserve gastrointestinal tract (GIT) organs and tissues, plastic coating (PC) and plastination (PN), were investigated and compared. Specimens to be preserved were removed from animals within 2 h of death and immediately cleaned with water. Digesta contents were removed by flushing desired portions of GIT with water until the exiting water was clear. In the PC method, cleaned specimens were dehydrated by immersion in an isopropanol solution, dried with forced air after positioning and orientation as in situ, and finally coated on the outer and inner surfaces with a clear plastic material. In the PN procedure, specimens were filled with, and submerged in, a low-formaldehyde fixative, then dehydrated by immersion in a cold acetone solution. Dehydrated specimens were immersed in silicone and placed in a freeze drier for impregnation under low vacuum, followed by overnight gas curing with a silicone crosslinker. Finally, viewing windows were cut out with a scalpel in GIT preserved by both methods. Preserved GIT and tissues had an appearance similar to their appearance in vivo. The PC method was simple and inexpensive. Plastinated specimens were more flexible, durable, and lifelike than those preserved by the PC method. In addition, many body parts, such as muscles, nerves, bones, ligaments, and central nervous system specimens, were preserved by PN. Both methods were found to be useful tools for postmortem studies of tissues and GIT organs.     

果寡糖对断奶前仔猪胃肠道组织形态、消化酶、有机酸及乳酸杆菌菌群的影响

选择6窝(8～10头仔猪/窝)健康的新生(杜长大)仔猪,随机分为对照组和试验组,每组3个重复,7 日龄(7 d)开始对照组辅喂常规开食料,试验组用果寡糖(FOS)代替1%的对照组开食料(按干物质折算),23 日龄(23 d)(断奶)时结束试验,试验开始和结束时每个重复选取1头仔猪屠宰,采集胰脏、胃肠道各部位组织和食糜样品,研究FOS对断奶前仔猪胃肠道组织形态、消化酶、有机酸和乳酸杆菌菌群的影响。结果表明,FOS组仔猪小肠绒毛高度、绒毛高度与隐窝深度之比均高于对照组 (P<0.05);FOS显著提高了仔猪胰腺和十二指肠中淀粉酶活性(P<0.05),蛋白酶和脂肪酶虽有增加但差异不显著;FOS显著提高了仔猪胃肠道内容物中挥发性脂肪酸(VFAs)浓度(P<0.05),降低了胃中乳酸浓度(P<0.05),显著提高了胃肠道乳酸杆菌菌群的相似性和多样性(P<0.05),增加了乳酸杆菌数量(P>0.05)。提示,FOS能够促进断奶前仔猪小肠形态的发育,减缓固体饲料对其损伤,一定程度上增加消化酶活性,提高胃肠道中总VFAs浓度,促进乳酸杆菌的增殖,这可能有利于仔猪平稳度过断奶期。     

Starch supplementation improves the reproductive performance of sows in different glucose tolerance status

This study was to evaluate the effects of glucose tolerance status, maternal starch supplementation and soybean substitution in diets on the performance of dams and their offspring. Eighty-eight pregnant sows (Landrace × Large White) were selected from an initial total of 120 sows, based on blood glucose test values, and assigned to 4 experimental treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The factors were glucose tolerance status (glucose intolerant [GIT] vs. normal glucose tolerant [NGT]) or dietary treatments (corn starch diet [CS] vs. soybean substitution diet [SS]). A higher area under the curve (AUC) for post-meal glucose was observed (P < 0.05) in the GIT group than in the NGT group on d 109 of gestation. The CS group had a lower value of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance than the SS group (P < 0.05) on d 109 of gestation. Corn starch supplementation for sows decreased the stillbirth rate (P < 0.05), regardless of the sows' glucose tolerance status. The villus height of the jejunum and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of the ileum were greater in normal birth weight piglets from the CS group than from the SS group (P < 0.01), and so was the activity of sucrase in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01). Compared with the SS group, the CS group showed a reduction in pre-weaning mortality rate, an increase in the number of high-birth-weight piglets, and a decrease in the number of low-birth-weight piglets (P < 0.05) under GIT status. In conclusion, sows fed CS decreased stillbirth rate and improved insulin resistance, as well as improving the intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities of their progeny, regardless of glucose tolerance status. Additionally, the CS group improved birth weight distribution and decreased pre-weaning mortality rate of piglets under GIT status.     

An immunohistochemical study of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in the BALB/c mouse

The distributions and frequencies of some endocrine cells in the eight portions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of BALB/c mouse were studied. Endocrine cells were stained using immunohistochemical method with seven types of antisera against bovine chromogranin (BCG), serotonin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, somatostatin, glucagon and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP), and the regional distributions and their relative frequencies were observed in the eight portions of the GIT of BALB/c mice. All seven types of immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified. Most of the IR cells in the intestinal portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open type cell) while round-shaped cells (closed type cell) were found in the intestinal gland and stomach regions occasionally. Their relative frequencies varied according to each portion of the GIT. BCG-IR cells were observed throughout the whole GIT except for the rectum and they were most predominant in the pylorus. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole GIT and they showed the highest frequency in the fundus. Gastrin- and CCK-IR cells were restricted to the pylorus and duodenum with a majority in the pylorus and rare or a few frequencies in the duodenum. Compared with other mammals, somatostatin-IR cells were restricted to the fundus and pylorus with a few frequencies, respectively. In addition, glucagon- and HPP-IR cells were restricted to the fundus and duodenum, respectively, with relative low frequencies. Some species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies of endocrine cells were observed in the GIT of BALB/c mouse compared with other rodents.     

Salvage of blood urea nitrogen in sheep is highly dependent on plasma urea concentration and the efficiency of capture within the digestive tract

The aims of this study were 1) to determine whether transfer of blood urea to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or the efficiency of capture of urea N within the GIT is more limiting for urea N salvage, and 2) to establish the relationship between plasma urea concentration and recycling of urea N to the GIT. We used an i.v. urea infusion model in sheep to elevate the urea entry rate and plasma concentrations, thus avoiding direct manipulation of the rumen environment that otherwise occurs when feeding additional N. Four growing sheep (28.1 +/- 0.6 kg of BW) were fed a low-protein (6.8% CP, DM basis) diet and assigned to 4 rates of i.v. urea infusion (0, 3.8, 7.5, or 11.3 g of urea N/d; 10-d periods) in a balanced 4 x 4 Latin square design. Nitrogen retention (d 6 to 9), urea kinetics([(15)N2]urea infusion over 80 h), and plasma AA were determined. Urea infusion increased apparent total tract digestibility of N (29.9 to 41.3%) and DM (47.5 to 58.9%), and N retention (1.45 to 5.46 g/d). The plasma urea N entry rate increased (5.1 to 21.8 g/d) with urea infusion, as did the amount of urea N entering the GIT (4.1 to 13.2 g/d). Urea N transfer to the GIT increased with plasma urea concentration, but the increases were smaller at greater concentrations of plasma urea. Anabolic use of urea N within the GIT also increased with urea infusion (1.43 to 2.98 g/d; P = 0.003), but anabolic use as a proportion of GIT entry was low and decreased (35 to 22%; P = 0.003) with urea infusions. Consequently, much (44 to 67%) of the urea N transferred to the GIT returned to the liver for resynthesis of urea (1.8 to 9.2 g/d; P < 0.05). The present results suggest that transfer of blood urea to the GIT is 1) highly related to blood urea concentration, and 2) less limiting for N retention than is the efficiency of capture of recycled urea N by microbes within the GIT.     

Effects of barley grain processing and dietary ruminally degradable protein on urea nitrogen recycling and nitrogen metabolism in growing lambs

The objective of this study was to determine how interactions between dietary ruminally degradable protein (RDP) level and ruminally fermentable carbohydrate (RFC) alter urea N transfer to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the utilization of this recycled urea N in rapidly growing lambs fed high-N diets. Four Suffolk ram lambs (34.8 +/- 0.5 kg of BW) were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design with 21-d periods and a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments. The dietary factors studied were 1) dry-rolled vs. pelleted barley as the principal source of RFC and 2) dietary levels of RDP of 60 vs. 70% (% of CP). All diets contained 28.8 g of N/kg of DM. Experimental diets were composed of 80% concentrate mixture and 20% barley silage (DM basis) and were fed twice daily at 0900 and 1700 as total mixed rations. Nitrogen balance was measured from d 15 to 20, and urea N kinetics were measured from d 15 to 19 using intrajugular infusions of [(15)N(15)N]-urea. Nitrogen intake (P = 0.001) and fecal (P = 0.002) and urinary (P = 0.03) N excretion increased as dietary RDP level increased, but the method of barley processing had no effect. Feeding dry-rolled compared with pelleted barley (P = 0.04) as well as feeding 60% RDP compared with 70% RDP (P = 0.04) resulted in a greater N digestibility. Whole-body N retention was unaffected (P >/= 0.74) by dietary treatment. Dietary treatment had no effect on endogenous production of urea N and its recycling to the GIT; however, across dietary treatments, endogenous production of urea N (45.8 to 50.9 g/d) exceeded N intake (42.3 to 47.9 g/d). Across dietary treatments, 30.6 to 38.5 g/d of urea N were recycled to the GIT, representing 0.67 to 0.74 of endogenous urea N production; however, 0.64 to 0.76 of urea N recycled to the GIT was returned to the ornithine cycle. In summary, although dietary treatment did not alter urea N kinetics, substantial amounts of hepatic urea N output were recycled to the GIT under the dietary conditions used in this study, and additional research is required to determine how this recycled urea N can be efficiently captured by bacteria within the GIT.     

Feeding different amounts of colostrum or only milk replacer modify receptors of intestinal insulin-like growth factors and insulin in neonatal calves

Colostrum intake influences growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in several species and colostral insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), and insulin are involved in neonatal intestinal tissue growth. We have studied IGF type 1, IGF type 2, and insulin receptors in the intestine of 8-day-old calves fed different amounts of colostrum or only milk replacer. Calves were fed colostrum of the first six milkings on the first 3 days and then milk replacer (GrC(6)) or colostrum only once and then milk replacer (GrC(1)) or they were fed only milk replacer from the beginning, i.e., no colostrum (GrM). Competitive binding studies and ligand blots confirmed the presence of IGF type 1, IGF type 2, and insulin receptors in mucosal cell membranes of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon. The IGF type 1 receptor number in ileum and total intestine in GrC(6) was greater (P<0.05) than in GrC(1) and in GrM, and IGF type 2 receptor number in total intestine was greater (P<0.05) in GrC(6) than in GrM. Insulin binding was best fitted by a model with two binding sites. High affinity insulin receptor numbers in duodenum, ileum, and total intestine were greater (P<0.05) in GrC(6) than in GrM. The data demonstrate that IGF type 1, IGF type 2, and insulin receptors in intestinal mucosa of neonatal calves are influenced by feeding.     

Immunohistochemical study on localization of serotonin immunoreactive cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the European catfish (Silurus glanis,L.)

In this study, it was aimed to identify the distribution of serotonin immunoreactive cells within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of European catfish (Silurus glanis). For this purpose, the tissue samples were taken from the stomach (cardia, fundus and pylorus region) and intestine (anterior, middle and posterior region). They were examined by applying the avidin‐biotin‐immunoperoxidase method. The serotonin containing immunoreactive cells are presented in all regions of the GIT. It was determined to be localized generally in different distribution within the stomachs and intestines of S. glanis. It was found that the most intensive regions of immunoreactive cells were the cardia stomach and posterior of intestine.     

Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep managed under traditional husbandry system in Kashmir valley

The present study was conducted with the objective to investigate the seasonal epidemiological prevalence of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) nematodes in different age groups, sexes and breeds (genotypes) of sheep through necropsy and faecal analysis over a period of 2 years in Kashmir valley, India. A total of 1533 sheep were examined [faecal examination: 1035 (year 1: 561, year 2: 474); necropsy: 498 (year 1: 232, year 2: 266)]. Out of these, 945 (61.64%) were found infected [faecal examination: 697 (67.34%, year 1: 390 (69.51%), year 2: 307 (46.99%); necropsy: 248 (49.79%, year 1: 123 (53.01%), year 2: 125 (64.69%)] with GIT nematodes. The over all prevalence of GIT nematodes in sheep in year 1 was 64.76 and 58.37% in year 2 (P=0.04). The parasites in decreasing order of prevalence (%) in sheep were Haemonchus contortus (59.6); Ostertagia circumcincta (38.0); Bunostomum trigonocephalum (37.7); Chabertia ovina (37.7); Trichostrongylus spp. (33.9); Nematodirus spathiger (29.4); Oesophagostomum columbianum (28.4); Trichuris ovis (23.5) and Marshallagia marshalli (22.1). Season, sex, age, and genotype were the factors that influenced the epidemiological prevalence of GIT nematodes in sheep in the present study. The maximum nematode infection was observed in summer season and lowest in winter (P=0.0005). Local Kashmiri breed was less infected as compared to other genotypes (P>0.05). Lower age groups were more infected than adult animals (P>/=0.05). Prevalence was higher in rams (males) than eves (females) (P>0.05). The present study will initially be of great significance to add to the existing knowledge of the epidemiology of GIT nematodes of small ruminants and the findings will be quite helpful to devise the appropriate control and prophylactic strategies for GIT nematodiasis of sheep reared under the temperate agro-climatic conditions.     

Histopathological and parasitological study of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum

Background

The aim of this study was to provide a systematic pathological and parasitological overview of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon, of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania.

Methods

Twenty mongrel dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and obtained from the Control Zoonosis Center of the Municipality of Ribeirão das Neves, Belo Horizonte Metropolitan area, Minas Gerais (MG) state, Brazil, were analyzed. The dogs were divided into two groups: Group 1 comprised nine clinically normal dogs and group 2 comprised 11 clinically affected dogs. After necropsy, one sample was collected from each GIT segment, namely the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon. Furthermore, paraffin-embedded samples were used for histological and parasitological (immunohistochemistry) evaluation and a morphometrical study were carried out to determine the parasite load (immunolabeled amastigote forms of Leishmania). The Friedman and the Mann Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis. The Friedman test was used to analyze each segment of the GIT within each group of dogs and the Mann Whitney test was used to compare the GIT segments between clinically unaffected and affected dogs.

Results

The infected dogs had an increased number of macrophages, plasma cells and lymphocytes, but lesions were generally mild. Parasite distribution in the GIT was evident in all intestinal segments and layers of the intestinal wall (mucosal, muscular and submucosal) irrespective of the clinical status of the dogs. However, the parasite load was statistically higher in the caecum and colon than in other segments of the GIT.

Conclusion

The high parasite burden evident throughout the GIT mucosa with only mild pathological alterations led us to consider whether Leishmania gains an advantage from the intestinal immunoregulatory response (immunological tolerance).     

Sites of nutrient digestion in growing pigs: effect of dietary fiber

The impact of dietary fiber on fecal digestion is well-known and provides a comprehensive approach toward nutrient digestibility and availability. Little quantitative information is available on digestion of fiber in the different segments of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The objectives of this study were to obtain a method allowing the quantification of the digestive process in different segments of the GIT and to study the impact of dietary fiber on nutrient digestibility. Six barrows (average initial BW of 30 kg and fitted with a simple T-cannula at the proximal duodenum and caudal ileum) were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. In each period, pigs were offered 1 of 3 diets differing in fiber content (low, medium, and high). Differences in fiber content were created by replacing wheat and barley with wheat bran. Titanium dioxide was included in the diet as an indigestible marker to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients in different segments of the GIT. The apparent digestibility of ash, CP, DM, and OM increased in the different segments of the GIT. Duodenal digestibility coefficients were negative for ash (e.g., -39.9% for the medium- and high-fiber diets), indicating important endogenous mineral secretions by the stomach and digestive glands. The duodenal digestibility of other nutrients and OM were positive but close to zero and numerically lower in the diets with the greater fiber contents. The fiber content in the diet did not affect the apparent ileal digestibility of nutrients. Increasing the fiber content in the diet affected the fecal digestibility of CP, ether extract, and energy (P < 0.01). The method used for studying sites of digestion in the digestive tract provides promising results, but it is limited due to the high variability that is likely caused by sampling limitations and variation between animals.     

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin inhibits the gastrointestinal transit in mice

Epsilon toxin produced by Clostridium perfringens type B and D is a potent toxin that is responsible for a highly fatal enterotoxemia in sheep and goats. In vitro, epsilon toxin produces contraction of the rat ileum as the result of an indirect action, presumably mediated through the autonomic nervous system. To examine the impact of epsilon toxin in the intestinal transit, gastric emptying (GE) and gastrointestinal transit (GIT) were evaluated after intravenous and oral administration of epsilon toxin in mice. Orally administered epsilon toxin produced a delay on the GIT. Inhibition of the small intestinal transit was observed as early as 1 h after the toxin was administered orally but the effects were not observed after 1 week. Epsilon toxin also produced an inhibition in GE and a delay on the GIT when relatively high toxin concentrations were given intravenously. These results indicate that epsilon toxin administered orally or intravenously to mice transitorily inhibits the GIT. The delay in the GIT induced by epsilon toxin could be relevant in the pathogenesis of C. perfringens type B and D enterotoxemia.     

采用聚合酶链式反应-变性梯度凝胶电泳技术分析小熊猫胃肠道菌群的多样性

本试验旨在研究小熊猫胃肠道菌群多样性。采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)-变性梯度凝胶电泳(DGGE)技术结合条带的克隆测序、聚类分析和主成分分析(PCA)检测小熊猫胃肠道菌群结构及多样性。结果表明:1)PCR-DGGE图谱显示小熊猫胃肠道中有大量菌群,且不同部位的菌群结构存在一定的差异,相邻肠段菌群结构具有一定的相似性。结肠和粪便样品的菌群多样性较高,其次为胃和直肠样品,而空肠和回肠样品菌群多样性较低。2)小熊猫胃肠道菌群PCR-DGGE图谱中测序的条带大多数归为厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroides)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)和疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia),共性条带主要是未培养拟杆菌门细菌(uncultured Bacteroidetes bacterium)、粪肠球菌(Enterococcus faecalis)、未培养梭状芽孢杆菌(uncultured Clostridium sp.)、乳酸乳球菌(Lactococcus lactis)和食窦魏斯氏菌(Weissella cibaria),其中厚壁菌门为优势菌群;特异性条带主要是丛毛单胞菌(Comamonas sp.)、梭菌属(Clostridium sp.)和Akkermansia。由此可见,小熊猫胃肠道中栖息着大量菌群,且其多样性按照胃肠道由前至后的顺序呈现高-低-高的趋势。     

Regional and age dependent changes in gene expression of Toll-like receptors and key antimicrobial defence molecules throughout the gastrointestinal tract of dairy calves

The primary aim of this study was to determine regional and age-dependent expression patterns of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), and β-defensin in rumen, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon of 3 week (n=8) and 6 month old (n=8) calves. The expression of most TLRs was significantly down-regulated throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with increasing age. TLR10 expression was significantly higher in ileum than all other gut regions, irrespective of age. TLR2 and TLR4 expression were significantly higher in the cecum and colon of 6 month old calves. Furthermore, expression of β-defensin, and PGLYRP1 was only detectable in 6 month old calves. The expression of TLRs was positively or negatively correlated with population of total bacteria and/or lactic acid bacteria depending on the GIT region. These observations indicate that innate immune responses to commensal microflora may vary significantly throughout the GIT and with age changes.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine-4 receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels and densities in gastrointestinal muscle layers from healthy dairy cows

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is involved in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) motor functions through binding to specific receptors located in the GIT walls. The objectives of the current study were to compare mRNA levels and binding sites of 5-HT(4) receptors (5-HTR(4)) in smooth muscle layers from the fundus abomasi, pylorus, ileum, cecum, proximal loop of the ascending colon (PLAC), and external loop of the spiral colon (ELSC) of healthy dairy cows, and to verify whether mRNA and protein expression were correlated. Smooth muscle samples were prepared by scraping the mucosa and submucosa from full-thickness intestinal wall samples. The mRNA levels of 5-HTR(4) were measured by real-time PCR and expressed relative to those of the housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase. Binding studies were performed using the 5-HTR(4) antagonist [(3)H]GR113808. The mRNA levels of 5-HTR(4) were affected (P < 0.05) by location along the GIT. The mRNA levels of 5-HTR(4) in the ELSC and the ileum were greater than in the PLAC (P = 0.05 and P = 0.07, respectively) but similar to those of all other locations. The competitive binding of [(3)H]GR113808 to suspended membranes from the fundus abomasi, pylorus, cecum, and ELSC was best fit by a 2-site receptor model, whereas it was best fit by a 1-site receptor model in the ileum and PLAC. The mRNA levels and numbers of 5-HTR(4) were not correlated (r = 0.14; P = 0.71). In conclusion, mRNA and binding sites for 5-HTR(4) are present in the smooth muscle layer of the entire GIT of dairy cows and may play a role with respect to motility. The effects of activation of this receptor subtype may be different among GIT locations due to differences in the amount of high- relative to low-affinity binding sites.     

Effects of colostrum feeding and dexamethasone treatment on mRNA levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-I and -II, IGF binding proteins-2 and -3, and on receptors for growth hormone, IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin in the gastrointestinal tract of neonatal calves

The somatotropic axis regulates growth of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In addition, colostrum feeding and glucocorticoids affect maturation of the GIT around birth in mammals. We have measured mRNA levels of members of the somatotropic axis to test the hypothesis that colostrum intake and dexamethasone treatment affect respective gene expression in the GIT. Calves were fed either colostrum or an isoenergetic milk-based formula, and in each feeding group, half of the calves were treated with dexamethasone (DEXA; 30 microg/kg body weight per day). Individual parameters of the somatotropic axis differed (P < 0.05) among different GIT sections and formula feeding increased (P < 0.05) mRNA levels of individual parameters at various sites of the GIT. Effects of DEXA on the somatotropic axis in the GIT partly depended on different feeding. In colostrum-fed calves, DEXA decreased (P < 0.05) mRNA levels of IGF-I (esophagus, fundus, duodenum, and ileum), IGF-II (fundus), IGFBP-2 (fundus), IGFBP-3 (fundus), IGF1R (esophagus, ileum, and colon), IGF2R (fundus), GHR (fundus), and InsR (esophagus, fundus), but in formula-fed calves DEXA increased mRNA levels of IGF-I (esophagus, rumen, jejunum, and colon). Furthermore, DEXA increased (P < 0.05) mRNA levels of IGF-II (pylorus), IGFBP-3 (duodenum), IGF2R (pylorus), and GHR (ileum), but decreased mRNA levels of IGFBP-2 (ileum), and IGF1R (fundus). Whereas formula feeding had stimulating effects, effects of DEXA treatment on the gene expression of parameters of the somatotropic axis varied among GIT sites and partly depended on feeding.     

First-pass splanchnic metabolism of dietary cysteine in weanling pigs

Cysteine is a semi-indispensable AA in neonates and is synthesized from the indispensable AA, methionine, by transsulfuration. We previously showed that the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a metabolically important site of methionine transsulfuration to cysteine, yet the metabolic fate of dietary cysteine in the GIT has not been established. Cysteine use by gut epithelial cells may play an important role for maintenance of glutathione synthesis and cellular redox function. Our aim was to quantify the extent of gastrointestinal first-pass cysteine metabolism in young pigs. Four-week-old weanling pigs (n = 10) were fed a liquid milk-replacer diet and given an intragastric and intravenous [1-(13)C]cysteine infusion on 2 separate days in a crossover design. Arterial and portal blood samples were collected for cysteine isotopic enrichment by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and for (13)CO(2) enrichment by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Our results indicated that dietary cysteine is metabolized during its first-pass splanchnic metabolism, accounting for about 40% of dietary cysteine intake. We also showed that intestinal absorption was the major metabolic fate of dietary cysteine, representing about 75% of intake, indicating that the GIT utilizes 25% of the dietary cysteine intake. Thus, utilization by the GIT represents about one-half (approximately 53%) of the first-pass, splanchnic uptake of dietary cysteine. Moreover, a substantial proportion of dietary splanchnic cysteine metabolism was consumed by the GIT via nonoxidative pathways. We conclude that the gut utilizes 25% of the dietary cysteine intake and that synthesis of mucosal epithelial proteins, such as glutathione and mucin, are a major nonoxidative metabolic fate for cysteine.     

A Pilot Study Exploring the Relationship Between Digesta Retention Time in the Equine Gastrointestinal Tract and Compartment Models

Digesta retention time within specific segments of the equine gastrointestinal tract (GIT) may be more relevant to scientific inquiries than total tract mean retention time (TTMRT); however, measuring retention time in individual segments requires access to the digestive tract. The objective of this study was to compare prececal, cecal, and colonic mean retention time (MRT) with model-derived compartment MRT. A cecally fistulated gelding was fed indigestible particulate and liquid markers to determine TTMRT and dosed with different pairs of particulate and liquid markers into the cecum (hindgut MRT) and into the right ventral colon through the cecocolic orifice (colon MRT). Fecal marker concentrations were fit to stochastic and mechanistic models using nonlinear least squares methods (MATLAB). Total tract MRT and MRT for each GIT segment were compared with model-derived compartment MRT using paired t-test to determine differences and two one-sided tests to determine equivalence. All models resulted in parameter estimates and an acceptable fit to fecal marker excretion curves, but some parameter estimates did not differ from zero (95% CI included 0). Model-derived TTMRT were equivalent (P < .05) to arithmetically calculated MRT. Most GIT segment MRT differed (P < .05) from model-derived compartment MRT. Differences ranged from −26.1 hours to 25.8 hours. In these exploratory data, model derived compartment retention times failed to pair with MRT in different GIT segments. Significant methodological and analytical challenges remain to describe retention time in individual segments of the equine GIT.