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.     

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.     

Influence of wheat-based diets supplemented with xylanase, bile acid and antibiotics on performance, digestive tract measurements and gut morphology of broilers compared with a maize-based diet

1. The aim of the present study was to compare wheat-based diets supplemented with arabinoxylanase, bile acid and virginiamycin with a maize-based diet in their effects on the performance of broilers. 2. The diets were fed to 5 groups of broilers. Group A received a maize-based diet (control), and groups B, C, D and E were fed on wheat-based diets. Diets C, D and E were supplemented with arabinoxylanase (150 mg/kg), bile acid (500 mg/kg) and virginiamycin (200 mg/kg), respectively. 3. A total of 450 1-d-old Ross 385 chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups, each with three pens as replicates (30 birds per pen). The experimental diets were given for 18 d. On d 18, three chickens from each group were slaughtered by cervical dislocation and the liver weight, and duodenal, jejunal and ileal lengths were measured for length and width of the villi and the height of crypts. 4. Arabinoxylanase, bile acid and virginiamycin supplementation significantly increased feed intake and daily gain but had no significant effect on feed conversion ratio. The liver weight was significantly greater in virginiamycin supplemented chicks as compared with those on the diet containing bile acid. 5. Virginiamycin inclusion increased full and empty caeca weight significantly compared with groups A and D. Group A had the lightest caeca. Significant effects of diets were observed on duodenal, ileal and intestinal length, but jejunal length was not affected by diet. The heights of duodenal and ileal, but not jejunal, villi were significantly affected by the treatments. The lengths of villi in groups B and E were significantly higher than other groups. The mean height of ileal villi in group A was significantly higher than in groups receiving the wheat-based diets. The mean width of duodenal and ileal villi was significantly affected by the ration. The height of crypts in group B was significantly higher than in group E. 6. It could be concluded that supplementation of the wheat-based broiler ration with virginiamycin had significant positive effects on gastrointestinal tract characteristics for absorption. Supplementation with bile acid reduced the weight of liver and caeca and the length of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and in small intestine and the height and width of villi.     

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.     

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.     

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。     

Recovery of duodenal villi and cells in chickens refed protein, carbohydrate and fat

1. To clarify how histological recovery of villi and cells would be affected after refeeding single nutrients such as protein, carbohydrate and fat, male chickens were divided as follows: (1) intact control fed ad libitum a commercial finisher mash diet (CP, 140 g; ME, 11.71 MJ/kg, ALM), (2) 3 d feed withdrawal (FW), (3) FW followed by one day ad libitum free access to the mash diet (FW-ALM), and FW followed by one day force-feeding of (4) a commercial finisher pellet diet (FW-FFM) and an isocaloric diet of (5) a protein (FW-FFP), (6) a carbohydrate (FW-FFC) or (7) a fat (FW-FFF). 2. After refeeding, the formula diet groups increased in villus height and villus area and tended to increase in cell area and cell mitosis. Furthermore, flat cells on the villus tip in the F group developed to dome-shaped cells. This suggests that nutritionally well-balanced diets can induce histological recovery at villus and cellular levels. 3. Not all of the single nutrient groups recovered to the extent of the formula diet groups in all light microscopic variables after refeeding, suggesting that a single nutrient cannot induce histological recovery of the villus. 4. However, the dome-shaped cells were more distributed on the villus tip in these single nutrient groups than in the well-balanced formula diet groups, although cell diameter of the former groups was smaller than that of the latter. This suggests that the single nutrients would be effectively absorbed from cells and can induce histological recovery at the cellular level.     

不同来源寡糖和小肽对饲喂高脂日粮小鼠小肠绒毛形态的影响

试验主要通过建立高脂动物模型诱导小鼠消化道氧化应激,研究不同来源的小肽和寡糖对小鼠体内小肠绒毛形态结构的影响。选取72只雄性ICR小鼠,体重为(24±2)g,随机分为6组(n=12),分别饲喂基础日粮组(对照组)、高脂日粮组、0.5%胶原蛋白肽(CP)高脂日粮组、0.5%米蛋白肽(RP)高脂日粮组、0.5%甘露寡糖(MOS)高脂日粮组和0.5%壳寡糖(COS)高脂日粮组。6周后处死小鼠,用HE染色制作石蜡切片,光镜观察各组小鼠小肠组织结构的变化。结果表明,饲喂高脂日粮使小鼠小肠绒毛脱落严重,绒腺比变小。添加0.5% CP、0.5% RP、0.5% MOS和0.5% COS的高脂日粮组均能减轻小肠绒毛短缩融合、脱落现象,使高脂小鼠小肠绒毛有所增长,隐窝深度变浅,绒腺比增大,其中0.5% CP和0.5% MOS对肠道黏膜保护效果最好。     

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.     

发酵乳杆菌和凝结芽孢杆菌对产气荚膜梭菌感染肉鸡生长性能和肠道健康的影响

试验以产气荚膜梭菌感染肉仔鸡建立坏死性肠炎模型,研究发酵乳杆菌和凝结芽孢杆菌对感染肉鸡生长性能和肠道健康的影响。将336只1日龄爱拔益加肉仔鸡随机分成4个处理组,每个处理6个重复。4个处理组分别为对照组、感染组、感染＋LF组（日粮添加1×10⁹ CFU/kg发酵乳杆菌）、感染＋BC组（日粮添加1×10¹⁰ CFU/kg凝结芽孢杆菌）。所有感染肉鸡在14~21 d经口接种A型产气荚膜梭菌。试验期为28 d。结果显示：与对照组相比,灌服产气荚膜梭菌显著降低22~28 d肉鸡的日均采食量（P<0.05）,显著增加28 d十二指肠和空肠损伤评分（P<0.05）,显著提高21 d肉鸡盲肠的产气荚膜梭菌和大肠杆菌数量,显著降低28 d回肠产气荚膜梭菌数量（P<0.05）。与感染组相比,日粮添加发酵乳杆菌显著提高21 d肉鸡回肠的乳杆菌属数量（P<0.05）,显著降低21 d盲肠大肠杆菌的数量（P<0.05）;日粮添加凝结芽孢杆菌显著降低28 d肉鸡十二指肠损伤评分（P<0.05）,显著降低21 d十二指肠隐窝深度（P<0.05）,显著提高21 d空肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值（P<0.05）,显著降低21 d肉鸡回肠和盲肠的大肠杆菌数量（P<0.05）,显著提高28 d肉鸡回肠乳杆菌属数量（P<0.05）。综上所述,日粮中添加发酵乳杆菌或凝结芽孢杆菌均对感染肉鸡的肠道微生物具有调控作用;其中添加凝结芽孢杆菌有利于肠道绒毛发育,缓解肠道损伤,一定程度上提高了肉鸡的生长性能,而发酵乳杆菌没有缓解肠道损伤的作用。     

皮质酮应激改变了肉仔鸡的肠道形态和功能

本研究通过2个饲养试验旨在研究日粮添加皮质酮对肉仔鸡小肠形态和消化吸收功能的影响.试验1中,120只8日龄肉仔鸡随机分为2组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡.试验2中,108只8日龄肉仔鸡随机分为2组,每组9个重复,每个重复6只鸡.对照组饲喂基础日粮;试验组日粮由每千克基础日粮添加30 mg皮质酮组成.21日龄时,测定肉仔鸡生产性能、小肠形态特征、血浆木糖水平、小肠食糜消化酶活性、养分消化率及小肠黏膜上皮细胞5-溴-2-脱氧鸟苷酸(BrdUrd)标记指数.结果表明,皮质酮诱导的应激显著降低了肉仔鸡日增重、采食量和饲料效率;显著降低了十二指肠和空肠绒毛高度及隐窝深度;显著降低了血浆中木糖水平及十二指肠和空肠黏膜上皮细胞的BrdUrd标记指数(P<0.05).同时,皮质酮显著提高了肉仔鸡小肠食糜中胰蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性,但显著降低了蛋白质表观消化率(P<0.05).由此可知,采食含有皮质酮的日粮,使肉仔鸡小肠绒毛高度降低,小肠吸收功能下降,但由于消化酶活性提高,因此消化功能提高.     

Effect of replacing corn with whole‐grain paddy rice and brown rice in broiler diets on growth performance and intestinal morphology

The present study was conducted to investigate replacing corn with whole‐grain paddy rice (WPR) and whole–grain brown rice (BR) in broiler chicken diets and its effect on growth performance and histological structures of the intestinal villi. Marshall Chunky male chicks (14 days old) were divided into five groups with four replicates of four chicks each. In the dietary treatments, corn in the basal diet was replaced with WPR and BR. The chickens received five experimental diets consisting of corn, WPR and BR in ratios of 100:0:0 (Control), 50:0:50 (50Corn + 50BR), 50:25:25 (50Corn + 25WPR + 25BR), 25:50:25 (25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR) and 0:50:50 (50WPR + 50BR) respectively. Feed and water were provided ad libitum for 35 day. No significant differences were found in feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency among the treatment groups. The relative weights of the gizzard in the 50Corn + 25WPR + 25BR, 25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR and 50WPR + 50BR groups were significantly higher than that of the Control and 50Corn + 50BR groups (p < 0.05). The gizzard pH of the experimental groups was lower than those of Control (p < 0.05). The ileal crypt of birds on the Control diets was deeper (p < 0.05) than those observed in the experimental birds. Moreover, the ileal villus height: crypt depth ratio increased (p < 0.05) in the 50WPR + 50BR group (p < 0.05) compared with the Control group. No specific changes were observed in the epithelial cells on the duodenal apical surface among the groups except that the villus of the 25Corn + 50WPR + 25BR group had cell clusters. The jejunal and ileal villus apical surface of the experimental groups showed similar morphology to the Control group. These findings suggest that WPR and BR can totally replace corn in broiler diets without negatively affecting growth performance.     

Effects of a lactoperoxidase system and lactoferrin,added to a milk replacer diet,on severity of diarrhoea,intestinal morphology and microbiology of digesta and faeces in young calves

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of the combination of a lactoperoxidase system (LP‐s) and lactoferrin (LF) added to a milk replacer diet on severity of diarrhoea, the morphology of the small intestinal mucosa, and the microbiology of digesta and faeces in young calves, in comparison with a control diet. The experiment was conducted with 30 young calves, 15 per treatment, during the period of 7–21 days of age. During this period, calves are sensitive to gastrointestinal disturbances that can cause diarrhoea. The results showed a significantly (p < 0.05) reduced severity of diarrhoea in the LP‐s/LF group compared to the control group as assessed by faecal consistency scores. Numbers of CFU (colony forming units) of Escherichia coli in jejunal and colonic digesta and in faeces were lower in the LP‐s/LF group compared with the control group. The differences were significant in both colonic digesta (p < 0.1) and in faeces (p < 0.05). Examination of the small intestinal mucosa, using a dissecting microscope, indicated more finger shaped villi in the distal jejunum of LP‐s/LF‐treated calves compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Histometrical measurements showed that these villi were significantly (p < 0.05) longer.     

丁酸梭菌和枯草芽孢杆菌对肉鹅生长性能、消化酶活性、抗氧化功能和肠道形态的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加丁酸梭菌和枯草芽孢杆菌对1～70日龄扬州鹅生长性能、消化酶活性、抗氧化功能和肠道形态的影响.选择1日龄健康、体重相近的扬州鹅公鹅288只,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鹅.A组(对照组)饲喂基础饲粮,B组在基础饲粮中添加250 mg/kg丁酸梭菌(有效活菌数为3.0×106 CFU/...     

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.     

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.     

加温饲养和定时饲喂对断奶仔猪肠黏膜形态和肠道发育的影响

试验旨在探索对仔猪床进行加温处理以及采用定时饲喂的方式的对早期断奶仔猪不同肠段黏膜形态和肠道发育的影响,从而为确定断奶仔猪适宜的饲养温度和科学的饲喂方式提供理论依据。试验采用2×2因子设计。选用21日龄杜长大断奶仔猪240头,随机分到4个处理组:1):28~30℃的仔猪床加温处理组;2)23~25℃的低温对照组(炉火暖气管道舍内加热);加温处理组和低温对照组中又根据不同的饲喂模式分为每天6次定时饲喂组和自由采食组。每个处理6个重复,每个重复10头猪。经过14 d的试验之后,在每圈仔猪中随机抽取1头,屠宰后取样检测小肠黏膜的绒毛高度、隐窝深度和肠壁厚度。结果表明:加温饲养组(28~30℃)的仔猪空肠中段的绒毛高度显著高于低温对照组(23~25℃)(P<0.05)。加温饲养组十二指肠的隐窝深度和空肠中段的肠壁厚度显著低于低温对照组(P<0.05)。定时饲喂饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度显著高于自由采食饲养的仔猪(P<0.05)。定时饲喂组仔猪空肠中段的肠壁厚度和十二指肠隐窝深度显著低于自由采食组(P<0.05)。2因子的互作效应表明:加温定时饲喂组饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度显著高于其他处理组。低温自由采食组饲养的仔猪空肠后段的绒毛高度极显著低于其他处理组(P<0.01)。加温定时饲喂组的仔猪空肠中段的肠壁厚度极显著低于其他处理组(P<0.01)。由结果可知,28~30℃的加温饲养组以及定时饲喂的饲喂模式有利于仔猪的肠道黏膜形态的改善,有益于肠道的发育和健康。     

A water-soluble β-glucan improves growth performance by altering gut microbiome and health in weaned pigs

Beta-glucan has been shown to have a beneficial effect on gastrointestinal health. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of β-glucan isolated from Agrobacterium sp. ZX09 on growth performance and intestinal health of weaning pigs. A total of 108 weaned pigs (21 d of age; 6.05 ± 0.36 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups (6 pens/group; 6 pigs/pen), and the groups were each treated with the following diets: 1) basal diet, 2) basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg olaquindox, 3) basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg β-glucan, for 21 d. Compared with the control group, pigs fed with 200 mg/kg β-glucan had greaterBW, average daily gain and duodenal villus height to crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05). Olaquindox increased the duodenal or jejunal villus height of pigs compared with β-glucan. Compared with the control group, β-glucan tended to increase the occludin mRNA expression in the jejunum (0.05 < P < 0.10). Beta-glucan enriched the beneficial microbiota in the ileum of pigs (P < 0.05). In conclusion, β-glucan may promote growth performance by improving intestinal health and increasing beneficial microbiota of weaned pigs. The study results will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the utilization of β-glucan in weaned pigs.     

凉茶渣替代象草对育肥牛空肠组织形态、屏障功能以及菌群结构的影响

本试验旨在研究凉茶渣替代象草对育肥牛空肠组织形态、屏障功能以及菌群结构的影响。选取120头健康且体重相近的西门塔尔杂交肉牛,随机分为2个组,分别为对照组(饲喂基础饲粮)、试验组(50%凉茶渣替代部分象草),每组3个重复,每个重复20头。试验期共67 d,包括7 d的预试期,60 d的正试期。在试验期结束后,采集试验牛血液、空肠组织、空肠内容物,通过苏木精-伊红(HE)染色测量空肠绒毛高度、隐窝深度;通过酶联免疫吸附测定(ELISA)试剂盒检测血清中炎症因子、D-乳酸(D-Lac)以及二胺氧化酶(DAO)浓度;通过荧光定量PCR测定空肠紧密连接蛋白基因闭合小环蛋白-1(ZO-1)、闭锁蛋白(Occludin)、闭合蛋白-1(Claudin-1)的mRNA表达水平;利用16S rDNA高通量测序分析空肠菌群结构。结果表明：1)与对照组相比,试验组育肥牛空肠绒毛高度显著增加(P<0.05),血清中D-Lac浓度显著降低(P<0.05),空肠紧密连接蛋白ZO-1的mRNA表达水平显著上调(P<0.05)。2)在门水平上,对照组和试验组厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)相对丰度分...