Effects of fermented plant product on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics, and intestinal histology in broilers

1. Fermented plant product (FPP) is a natural fermented food which is produced from a mixture of fermented fruit and vegetables, and rice bran (1:9).

2. To investigate the effects of FPP on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics and intestinal histology were determined in 192 broilers. They were divided into 4 groups, with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each; the chicks were provided ad libitum access to a diet consisting of 0, 0·5, 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP.

3. The crude protein and metabolisable energy concentrations of these diets were adjusted to 230?g CP/kg and 13·40?MJ ME/kg for the 7 to 21?d old chicks, and 200?g CP/kg and 13·40?MJ ME/kg for the 22 to 49?d old chicks, respectively.

4. At 49?d of age, feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations. Feed intake increased in the 4·0% dietary FPP group, BW gain increased in the 2·0% and 4·0% dietary FPP groups and feed efficiency increased in all experimental groups.

5. There were no differences among diets in the blood variables and carcase characteristics, except for total visceral organ weight, increased in all experimental groups.

6. Most of the intestinal villus heights, villus areas, epithelial cell areas and cell mitosis tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations; duodenal villus height and cell mitosis in the 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP groups, and jejunal cell mitosis in all experimental groups were significantly increased. Compared with flat cells on the villus apical surface in the 0% FPP group, all experimental groups had protuberant cells in all intestinal parts.

7. In conclusion, hypertrophy of the villi and epithelial cells was observed in the present study, indicating improved growth performance, especially in the 4·0% dietary FPP group. Furthermore, increased total visceral organ weights suggested that FPP has no harmful effects on broilers.     

Histological intestinal alterations in chickens fed low protein diet

To demonstrate whether that hypotrophied histological alterations of intestinal villi and epithelial cells are observed in chickens fed low crude protein (CP) diet, 36 male chickens were allotted into 10%, 16% and 22% CP diets groups for 35 days. The 10% CP group showed a lower value of weight gain and feed efficiency than the other two CP groups (p < 0.05). On the relative weight of visceral organs, the 10% CP group showed a heavier gizzard than the 22% CP group, a heavier jejunum than the other two CP groups and a heavier value of ileum and caeca than the 22% CP group (p < 0.05). On the relative length of intestines, the 10% CP group showed a longer value of duodenum and caeca than the other two CP groups, a longer jejunum than the 16% CP group and a longer colon than the 22% CP group (p < 0.05). The villus height and villus area of all intestinal segments did not change in all groups. The duodenal cell areas and cell mitosis numbers tended to be lower in 10% CP group than in the other two protein groups, and the jejunal cell area and duodenal cell mitosis numbers were decreased in the 10% crude protein group (p < 0.05). In relation to the protuberated cells in the higher CP groups, the 10% CP group showed only faintly protuberated cells on the duodenal and jejunal villus apical surface. The ileal villi did not show specific alterations among each group. The chronic feeding of low CP diet induced a hypotrophied histological alteration. This suggests that the hypotrophied histological alterations can assess that the fed‐diet is not so well‐balanced diets, nutritionally.     

Histological alterations of the intestinal villi and epithelial cells in chickens fed dietary sugar cane extract

1. Sugar cane extract (SCE) is the residue after removing glucose, fructose and sucrose from sugar cane juice. To investigate the effects of dietary SCE on growth performance and alterations to intestinal histology, 36 male Sanuki Cochin chickens were divided into three groups: a control group was fed a commercial diet (180 g/kg CP, 13.59 MJ/kg ME) and the treatment groups were fed the commercial diet supplemented with 0.5 or 10 g/kg SCE ad libitum for 35 d. 2. Feed intake and weight gain tended to be higher in the 0.5 and 10 g/kg SCE groups than in the control group. No specific gross morphological alterations were observed in the visceral organs of chickens in any of the groups. However, intestinal villus height, villus area, epithelial cell area and cell mitosis in each intestinal segment had higher values in the SCE groups than in the control group. In the 0.5 and 10 g/kg SCE groups, but not in the control group, the cells on the villus apical surface protuberated and had larger cell clusters and some areas with cells with no microvilli. 3. The observed alterations to intestinal histology in chickens fed dietary SCE diets demonstrate that the function of villi and cells on the villus tip might be activated in all the intestinal segments and that cell turnover is also accelerated. These activated intestinal functions appear to promote growth and immuno-stimulation in chickens fed SCE diets, especially in the 0.5 g/kg group.     

Intestinal morphology and enteral nutrient absorption of pigeon pea seed meal in piglets

This study was conducted to establish the relationship between histological alterations of the intestinal villus and intestinal function, and to histologically assess the enteral nutrient absorption of raw pigeon pea seed meal (PM). Piglets were allotted into five groups: feed withdrawal for 3 days or 5 days, refeeding soybean meal (SM) or PM for 2 days after the 3‐day fast, and access ad libitum to conventional feed for the last 2 days without fasting. After the end of each experiment, the intestinal segment and duodenum of each piglet were processed and examined by light and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. After fasting, villus height, cell area and cell mitosis number were decreased in most parts of each intestinal segment, and duodenal villus tips had a smooth surface. After refeeding SM or PM, the decrease in body weight improved, but there was not a significant difference between them. The atrophic morphology of the intestine was reversed by refeeding SM, suggesting that the intestinal villi might be activated by absorption of SM. On the other hand, in the piglets refed PM, the recovery of light microscopic parameters and duodenal villus tip morphology was less clear than with SM. The present histological results suggest that although the absorption of PM is less than that of SM, the PM nutrients might be effectively absorbed, even in the raw form, and establish that in pigs intestinal histological alterations correspond well with intestinal absorptive function.     

Influence of Dietary Sesame Meal Level on Histological Alterations of the Intestinal Mucosa and Growth Performance of Chickens

A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary sesame meal (SM) on growth performance and histological intestinal alterations of layer chickens. Thirty-two White Leghorn male chickens were divided into 4 groups of 8 birds. They were fed 0, 10, 20, or 30% dietary SM for 28 d. After the feeding experiment, average villus height, epithelial cell area, and crypt cell mitosis numbers were morphometrically compared with an image analyzer, and the results were analyzed with Duncan's multiple range test. The morphological changes of epithelial cells on the villus apical surface were observed morphologically using scanning electron microscope. The growth performance data revealed no significant differences in birds fed up to 20% dietary SM, significantly lower values were revealed in the 30% dietary SM group. At 10% dietary SM, growth performance tended to be improved. Most values of the intestinal villus height, epithelial cell area, and crypt cell mitosis numbers were not different among groups for each intestinal segment. Flat epithelial cells were on the intestinal villus apical surface in the group fed 0% dietary SM. Those cells developed into protuberated cells in the group fed 10% dietary SM, and these protuberated cells disappeared gradually with increasing dietary SM levels. Considerations for current growth performance and histological intestinal alterations suggest that the SM would have no detrimental effect on the growth performance with up to 20% dietary SM nor on the intestinal villi with up to 30% dietary SM, but hypertrophy was observed in the epithelial cells of bird fed up to 20% dietary SM. In conclusion, up to 20% SM could be incorporated into diets fed under commercial conditions to male birds of laying strains in the developer period.     

Evaluation of the chicory inulin efficacy on ameliorating the intestinal morphology and modulating the intestinal electrophysiological properties in broiler chickens

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) belongs to plants of the Compositae family accumulating energy in the form of inulin fructan. Chicory, a prebiotic, is a fermentable oligosaccharide and oligofructose that may affect the intestinal mucosal architecture and the electrophysiological parameters. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of adding chicory fructans in feed on the intestinal morphology and electrogenic transport of glucose in broilers. Four hundred, 1 day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into two groups (200 bird per group) for 5 weeks. The dietary treatments were (i) control, (ii) basal diets supplemented with the dried, grinded ground chicory pulp containing inulin (1 kg of chicory/ton of the starter and grower diets). In duodenum, dietary chicory increased the villus height and villus width and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05), but the duodenal crypt depth remained unaffected (p > 0.05). However, in jejunum, the villus height, crypt depth and villus height to crypt depth ratio were decreased by dietary chicory compared with control birds (p < 0.05). In ileum, the villus height and villus crypt depth was decreased by dietary chicory supplementation compared with control (p < 0.05), but, the villus height to crypt depth ratio was increased (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary chicory relatively affected the electrophysiological parameters of the intestine but did not reach significance. The amount of ΔIsc after d ‐glucose addition to the jejunal mucosa was numerically higher for chicory fed birds (19 μA/cm²) than control birds (10 μA/cm²). The percentage of increase in the Isc after d ‐glucose addition (ΔIsc %) was higher for chicory group upto (90%) of the control group. In colon, the actual Isc value and Isc after d ‐glucose addition was numerically higher for chicory fed birds than control birds (p > 0.05). Moreover, the conductance of jejunal and colonic tissues after d ‐glucose addition remained unaffected by the dietary chicory. In conclusion, addition of chicory to broilers diet increased the duodenal villus height, villus width and villus height to crypt depth ratio and decreased the villus height and crypt depth in both jejenum and ileum. Furthermore, dietary chicory relatively modified the small intestinal electrogenic transport of glucose in broilers.     

Effect of dietary mannanase‐hydrolysed copra meal on growth performance and intestinal histology in broiler chickens

We investigated mannanase‐hydrolysed copra meal (MCM), which contains β‐1,4‐mannobiose (MNB), for its capacity to improve growth performance and activate intestinal villus function. Seven‐day‐old chicks were separated into four flocks with an equal mean body weight and then fed a basal diet (control) or a diet supplemented with 0.02% or 0.1% MCM. After 7 weeks, the feed intake and body weight were determined and then used to calculate the feed efficiency (FE). Moreover, the intestinal segments were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cellular and morphological changes in the villus. Although feed intake was not significantly different among the experimental groups, the body weight gain and FE were significantly higher in the 0.1% MCM group than in the control group (p < 0.05), while feed intake tended to be higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM groups. The cellular area of the ileum was significantly higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% groups in relation to that in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the cellular area of the duodenum and the jejunum tended to be higher in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM groups. For the correlation analysis, a significant correlation was observed between the dosage of MCM and the cell area of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Moreover, the number of mitotic cells was higher in the 0.1% MCM group. As shown by SEM, the cells at the villi tips were protuberant in appearance in the 0.02% and 0.1% MCM treatments when compared with the relatively flat cells of the control. On the duodenal villus surface of the 0.1% MCM group, some cells devoid of microvilli were observed, suggesting that the increased protuberance of these cells represents increased absorption activity. Although intestinal villus height and area did not significantly differ among groups, the levels of these parameters tended to increase in the experimental groups relative to the control. The present morphological findings reveal that MNB might be effective for activating intestinal absorptive function, and that the functional activation promotes the growth of the chickens.     

Effects of dietary red pepper on egg yolk colour and histological intestinal morphology in laying hens

To evaluate the effect of three kinds of red pepper supplementation ‘Kagawa Hontaka’ produced at Shiwaku Islands (KHS), Miki (KHM) and Takanotsume (TKT) on production performance, egg quality and intestinal histology in laying hens. A total of 32 laying hens (39 weeks of age) were randomly allotted to four groups, each comprising eight hens. Birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with red pepper at 0% (control), 0.5% KHS, 0.5% KHM and 0.5% TKT, respectively. Compared with the control group, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in feed consumption, final body weight, hen‐day production, egg mass, feed efficiency, shell‐breaking strength, shell thickness, shell ratio, albumen ratio, yolk ratio and Haugh units was observed among the experimental groups. Roche yolk colour fan (RYCF) value increased significantly in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the KHS and KHM groups showed higher RYCF values than the TKT group (p < 0.05). Spectrophotometric measurements of yolk colour, redness (a*) and yellow index (YI) values were higher in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.0001). The yellowness (b*) value was lower in the TKT group (p < 0.05). The lightness (L*) value was lower in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.05). Villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis in all intestinal segments tended to be higher in all experimental groups. Jejunal cell area and cell mitosis were higher in experimental groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The cells on the villus tip surface were protuberated in all experimental groups. In conclusion, the KHS, KHM and TKT groups showed hypertrophied intestinal villi and epithelial cell functions. These results indicate that dietary red pepper has stimulating effect on intestinal villi and the structure of epithelial cells, and the 0.5% KHS and KHM groups improved in egg yolk colour.     

Intestinal villus recovery in chickens refed semi-purified protein-, fat-, or fibre-free pellet diets

1. To determine which macronutrient, protein, fat, or fibre is most effective at inducing structural recovery of intestinal villi after feed withdrawal, male layer chickens were allotted to the following groups: intact control (IC), 3-d feed withdrawal (F), ad libitum refeeding of a formula mash diet (AFM), or force-feeding of a formula (FFP) or semi-purified well-balanced (FSP), protein-free (FSPP), fat-free (FSPF), or fibre-free (FSPFi) pellet diets for one day after 3-d feed withdrawal. 2. After refeeding, the formula diet groups increased in villus height and apparent area. However, not all of the semi-purified groups recovered to the levels of the formula diet groups in all light microscopic variables, except in terms of a further decrease in cell mitosis in the FSPP group compared to the F group. Of the semi-purified groups, the FSPFi group tended to be the highest for all variables. This result suggests that the semi-purified diets did not induce villus recovery faster than the formula diet, especially in the case of the protein-free pellet diet. 3. After refeeding, a smooth surface of villus tip in the F group changed to a rough surface, with cell protuberances in the AFM group. This morphological recovery was clearer in the FFP group. Compared with the FFP group, the semi-purified groups had cell protuberances which extended further into the intestinal lumen, and more cell clusters. Among the semi-purified groups, epithelial cells were smaller in the FSPP and larger in the FSPFi than in the other groups. This result suggests that the semi-purified diet can induce a quicker cell recovery than the formula diet but that the protein-free diet is the slowest. 4. The present study demonstrates that protein is the most important nutrient for the recovery of intestinal villi after feed withdrawal.     

Morphology of the small intestine of weaned piglets and a novel method for morphometric evaluation

The intestinal morphology of 7-week-old pigs was investigated by light (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The piglets were fed either a semisynthetic or a cereal-based diet. The shapes of the intestinal villi and crypts of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were examined. The villi were predominantly tongue-shaped. In the duodenum they were also ridged, branched and folded, and in the jejunum they were also leaf-like and ridged. At places with lymph follicles, the surface of the ileum was rugged with meandering fold-like villi. The crypts of the three segments of the small intestine were mainly coiled and sometimes branched. A novel morphometric evaluation method was introduced using the enlargement factors of each villus and crypt surface. The enlargement factor for the villus surface of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was 3.13, 3.72 and 2.71, respectively. The factor for the crypt surface of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was 9.07, 8.94 and 6.53, respectively. Furthermore, the relative proliferation rate and the epithelial renewal index were calculated for the first time. The relative proliferation rate of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum was 32.88, 34.78 and 50.77 proliferations per mm crypt perimeter, respectively. The diets consumed had an influence on the epithelial renewal index being higher for piglets fed the cereal-based diets.     

不同配比油脂对肉仔鸡小肠形态的影响

研究了日粮中添加不同配比油脂对肉仔鸡小肠形态的影响。试验选取324只1日龄AA肉鸡,随机分成6组,每组6个重复,每个重复9只。CON为对照组(饲喂基础日粮),SO组为正对照组(日粮添加豆油),LO组为负对照组(日粮添加猪油),COP、COC、COV组分别在日粮中添加以棕榈油为主的配比油脂、以椰子油为主的配比油脂和多种植物油配比的油脂,饲养至21日龄。结果:COP组的十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值高于SO组(P<0.05),空肠的隐窝深度低于CON和SO组(P<0.05)。COC组的十二指肠绒毛宽度高于SO组和LO组(P<0.05),绒毛面积高于CON组、SO组和LO组(P<0.05);空肠的黏膜厚度高于LO组(P<0.05)。COV组的十二指肠绒毛高度高于CON组、SO组和LO组(P<0.05),十二指肠黏膜厚度高于CON组(P<0.05)。试验表明3种配比油脂均可从不同角度促进十二指肠和空肠的形态发育,且从提高绒毛表面积考虑,配比椰子油效果最好。     

饲粮中谷氨酰胺添加水平对断奶至3月龄獭兔毛皮品质和肠道屏障的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中谷氨酰胺添加水平对断奶至3月龄獭兔毛皮品质和肠道屏障的影响。选用体重相近的断奶獭兔180只,随机分为5组,每组36个重复,每个重复1只兔。各组分别饲喂谷氨酰胺添加水平为0(对照)、0.3%、0.6%、0.9%和1.2%的试验饲粮。预试期7 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:饲粮中谷氨酰胺添加水平对生长獭兔毛皮面积、毛皮重量、被毛长度和被毛厚度无显著影响(P0.05)。饲粮中谷氨酰胺添加水平对生长獭兔十二指肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值有显著影响(P0.05)。与对照组相比,饲粮中添加0.9%谷氨酰胺显著升高了空肠中闭合小环蛋白mRNA的表达量(P0.05),显著降低了空肠中丙酮酸激酶mRNA的表达量(P0.05);此外,饲粮中添加0.9%谷氨酰胺显著增加了十二指肠黏膜中分泌性免疫球蛋白A含量(P0.05)。综上所述,饲粮中谷氨酰胺添加水平没有影响到生长獭兔的毛皮品质,但改善了肠道机械屏障和免疫屏障功能。在本试验条件下,断奶至3月龄獭兔饲粮中谷氨酰胺适宜的添加水平为0.9%。     

丝兰属麟凤兰和皂皮树提取物对北京鸭生产性能、小肠绒毛形态的影响

本试验采用单因子完全随机试验设计,研究日粮中添加丝兰属麟凤兰提取物(YSE)和皂皮树提取物(QSE)对0～6周龄北京鸭生产性能、小肠绒毛形态的影响。选用160只1日龄平均体重相近的雄性北京鸭,随机分为对照组和试验组,分别饲喂基础日粮和添加80 mg/kg丝兰属麟凤兰和皂皮树提取物的日粮,每组8个重复,每个重复10只鸭,试验期为6周。结果表明:与对照组相比,日粮中添加80 mg/kg丝兰属麟凤兰和皂皮树提取物显著提高了0～6周龄北京鸭的平均日增重及42日龄北京鸭的胸肌率(P<0.05);丝兰属麟凤兰和皂皮树提取物显著提高了21日龄及42日龄北京鸭十二指肠的绒毛高度、绒毛高度/隐窝深度(V/C值)和绒毛面积(P<0.05)。     

地塞米松对仔猪十二指肠黏膜免疫的影响

为了探讨地塞米松对仔猪肠道黏膜的影响,选用福州周边某猪场30日龄仔猪30头,随机分为6组,3组为试验组,3组为对照组,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别肌肉注射1 mL、2 mL、3 m L地塞米松,对照组Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组分别肌肉注射1 mL、2 m L、3 mL生理盐水;药物试验7 d后,取十二指肠固定、脱水、包埋、切片,经HE染色、阿利新蓝-过碘雪夫(AB-PAS)染色,检测地塞米松对肠道绒毛高度、隐窝深度、绒毛高度和隐窝深度比值、黏液细胞、上皮内淋巴细胞数量的影响。结果表明:长时间过量注射地塞米松抑制肠绒毛生长,显著降低肠绒毛长度和隐窝深度比值,显著性降低仔猪十二指肠上皮酸性黏多糖阳性细胞和上皮内淋巴细胞数量。可见,持续过量注射地塞米松将影响十二指肠黏膜免疫功能。     

Dietary glucose oxidase and/or catalase supplementation alleviates intestinal oxidative stress induced by diquat in weaned piglets

This study investigated the effects of dietary exogenous glucose oxidase (GOD) and/or catalase (CAT) on the intestinal antioxidant capacity and barrier function in piglets under oxidative stress. Sixty pigs assigned randomly to five treatment groups—CON: basal diet; DIQ: basal diet; GOD: basal diet + 40-U GOD/kg diet; CAT: basal diet + 50-U CAT/kg diet; and GC: basal diet + 40-U GOD/kg diet + 50-U CAT/kg diet—were analyzed. On Day 14, the CON group was injected with saline, and the others were treated with diquat. The results showed that in diquat-treated piglets, supplementation of dietary GOD and CAT elevated the superoxide dismutase and CAT activities and attenuated the malondialdehyde level in plasma and intestinal mucosa, enhanced the duodenal villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio, upregulated ZO-1 mRNA level, and attenuated the apoptosis of the epithelial cells and caspase-3 mRNA level in the intestine. Additionally, the supplementation upregulated mRNA expression of the intestinal NF-E2-related factor 2-regulated genes in diquat-treated piglets. However, GOD combined with CAT could not alleviate oxidative damage better than supplementation of CAT or GOD alone under oxidative stress. Overall, the study provides a potential alternative that could relieve the weaning stress in piglets and help formulate antibiotic-free diets.     

酵母壁多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和小肠黏膜形态结构的影响

本研究旨在探讨饲粮中添加酵母壁多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和小肠黏膜形态结构的影响。试验采用单因素试验设计方法,选取180头遗传背景一致、健康状况良好、胎次和体重接近的21日龄断奶仔猪,随机分为4个组,每组5个重复,每个重复9头猪。4个组分别饲喂对照饲粮、0.15%酵母壁多糖饲粮、0.30%酵母壁多糖饲粮和0.45%酵母壁多糖饲粮。试验期21 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加酵母壁多糖能够显著提高断奶仔猪平均日增重和平均日采食量(P0.05);酵母壁多糖有降低断奶仔猪腹泻率和料重比的趋势,但差异不显著(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,饲粮中添加酵母壁多糖能够显著提高断奶仔猪空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值(P0.05),添加0.45%酵母壁多糖能够显著提高断奶仔猪空肠绒毛高度和十二指肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度值(P0.05)。由此可知,酵母壁多糖可提高断奶仔猪的生长性能,并改善小肠黏膜形态结构;综合生长性能、小肠黏膜形态及经济成本等指标,其在仔猪饲粮中的适宜添加量为0.30%。     

谷氨酰胺对肉鸡小肠组织结构和吸收能力的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮不同添加水平谷氨酰胺(Gln)对热应激肉鸡小肠组织结构和吸收能力的影响.选用1日龄科宝- 500肉鸡240只,随机分为6个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复10只.Ⅰ组为对照组,饲喂玉米-豆粕型基础饲粮,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ和Ⅵ组为试验组,分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加0.4％、0.8％、1.2％、1.6％和2.0...     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Intestinal villus histological alterations in broilers fed dietary dried fermented ginger

To evaluate the effect of dietary dried fermented ginger (DFG) on intestinal villous histological alteration and growth performance, 64 Marshall Chunky male broilers were divided into four groups, each with four replicates of four chickens. Birds were fed the basal commercial mash diet supplemented with DFG at 0 (control), 5, 10 and 20 g/kg for 42 days. With increasing dietary DFG levels, feed intake tended to decrease and significantly decreased in the 20 g/kg DFG group (p < 0.05). Weight gain was higher in all the DFG groups, with the highest in the 10 g/kg DFG group (p < 0.05), resulting in an improved feed efficiency in all the DFG groups. Intestinal villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis in all the intestinal segments were higher in all the DFG groups than in the control group. Protuberated cells and cell clusters were found in all the DFG groups, suggesting that the intestinal villi and cells might be hypertrophied. The present results indicate that dietary DFG can be used as a natural feed additive to induce broiler growth performance as a result of stimulation of morphological maturation and in consequence intestinal function.     

益生菌发酵棉粕对黄羽肉鸡小肠黏膜形态、血清T淋巴细胞亚群及肠道菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究添加不同比例益生菌发酵棉粕对黄羽肉鸡小肠黏膜形态、血清T淋巴细胞亚群及肠道菌群的影响。选用14日龄健康黄羽肉鸡320只,随机分成4组,每组4个重复,每个重复20只鸡,Ⅰ组为空白对照组,Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组分别添加3%、6%和9%发酵棉粕,研究不同添加量对肉鸡生长前期(14～28日龄)、中期(29～45日龄)、后期(46～65日龄)各阶段小肠黏膜形态,中、后期血清T淋巴细胞亚群及后期肠道菌群的影响。研究结果显示:①与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅲ组黄羽肉鸡前、中、后期的十二指肠绒毛高度极显著提高31.90%、25.17%、49.41%(P<0.01),隐窝深度极显著降低9.42%、11.31%、10.83%(P<0.01),V/C极显著提高45.65%、41.19%、67.84%(P<0.01);空肠绒毛高度极显著提高28.72%、28.38%、27.61%(P<0.01),隐窝深度显著或极显著下降6.65%(P<0.05)、6.18%(P<0.01)、7.37%(P<0.01),V/C极显著提高37.84%、36.69%、37.82%(P<0.01);回肠绒毛高度极显著提高76.64%、40.36%、67.20%(P<0.01) ,隐窝深度显著降低4.09%、6.07%、6.02%(P<0.05),V/C极显著提高83.79%、49.27%、78.26% (P<0.01)。②中、后期Ⅳ组黄羽肉鸡CD4⁺/CD8⁺显著提高42.86%、34.95%(P<0.05)。③随着发酵棉粕添加量的增多,黄羽肉鸡的十二指肠、空肠、回肠中乳酸菌的数量逐渐增多,且差异越来越明显,除Ⅱ组十二指肠和空肠段外,其余各组的各肠段差异均显著或极显著(P<0.05;P<0.01)。大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的数量逐渐减少,且差异越来越明显,除Ⅱ组十二指肠段外,其余各组各肠段差异均显著或极显著(P<0.05;P<0.01)。综上所述,6%发酵棉粕组在提高十二指肠、空肠、回肠绒毛高度、V/C,降低其隐窝深度方面都优于3%、9%发酵棉粕组,而9%发酵棉粕组在提高CD4⁺/CD8⁺、肠道乳酸菌数量和降低大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌数量方面优于3%、6%发酵棉粕组。     

Morphologic and ultrastructural evaluation of effect of ischemia and dimethyl sulfoxide on equine jejunum

Morphologic changes in equine jejunal segments subjected to 1 hour of ischemia and 1 hour of reperfusion, and protective effects of systemic administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 1 g/kg of body weight) were investigated in 18 ponies, using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ponies were allotted to 4 groups: group 1--control (n = 3); group 2--DMSO (n = 3); group 3--ischemia (n = 6); and group 4--ischemia and DMSO (n = 6). In each pony, 2 jejunal sections were evaluated. The first section was obtained prior to induction of ischemia, and the second was obtained 2 hours later after reperfusion. Mucosal lesions were graded from 0 (normal) to 5 (most severe). Combined ischemia and reperfusion of 2 hours' duration induced moderately severe mucosal injury to the equine jejunum (group 3; grade 1.5 to 2.5), characterized principally by disruption of enterocyte attachment from the basement membrane and lamina propria. Fluid accumulation disrupted enterocyte cell-to-cell adhesion toward cell bases, while apical tight junctions and desmosomal junctions toward the luminal surface remained intact. Intracytoplasmic organellar changes within enterocytes were not a prominent feature of the injury. The aforementioned processes were marked at the villus tip and progressed down the villus sides. These findings support the importance of mechanisms leading to early subepithelial fluid accumulation rather than that of direct severe enterocyte injury. Further, fluid accumulation does not appear to arise from intercellular migration from the luminal surface. In this model, a pathomechanical effect caused by vigorous villus retraction appears to exacerbate epithelial lifting toward the villus tip.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)