Effects of soybean raffinose on growth performance,digestibility,humoral immunity and intestinal morphology of growing pigs

There are appreciable does of raffinose in soybean, but the impacts of raffinose on pigs are poorly investigated. We used 2 experiments to investigate the influence of soybean raffinose on growth performance, digestibility, humoral immunity and intestinal morphology of growing pigs. In Exp. 1, a total of 30 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) barrows (21.93 ± 0.43 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups, and were fed with the control diet, the control diets supplemented with 0.2% and 0.5% raffinose, respectively, for 21 d. Results showed that the addition of 0.2% or 0.5% raffinose reduced (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG) and nutrient digestibility, and dietary 0.5% raffinose increased the ratio of feed to gain (P < 0.05). For serum indexes, dietary 0.5% raffinose decreased growth hormone and increased glucagon-like peptide-2, immunoglobulin G, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 concentration (P < 0.05). In Exp. 2, a total of 24 crossbred barrows (38.41 ± 0.45 kg) were randomly divided into 3 groups, and were fed with the control diet (ad libitum), the raffinose diet (0.5% raffinose, ad libitum), and the control diet in the same amount as the raffinose group (feed-pair group) for 14 d, respectively. Compared with the control diet, dietary 0.5% raffinose decreased ADFI (P < 0.05). Intriguingly, the raffinose group had lower ADG than the feed-pair group, lower nutrient digestibility, lower amylase activity in duodenum, lower amylase, lipase and trypsin activities in jejunum and higher TNF-α concentration in serum compared with the other 2 groups, and a higher ratio of villus height to crypt depth compared with the control group (P < 0.05). These results showed that soybean raffinose could reduce feed voluntary intake and body gain while improving intestinal morphology without a significant negative influence on immunity. Taken together, dietary raffinose could decrease growth performance by reducing both feed intake and nutrient digestibility while inducing humoral immune response of growing pigs.     

N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine improves the intestinal development and nutrient absorption of weaned piglets via regulating the activity of intestinal stem cells

Early weaning in piglets can cause a series of negative effects.This causes serious losses to the livestock industry.N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine(D-GlcNAc)plays an important role in regulating the homeostasis of the intestine.This study aimed to investigate the effects of D-GlcNAc on the growth performance and intestinal function of weaned piglets.Twenty-four weaned piglets([Yorkshire×Landrace]
Duroc,6.58±0.15 kg,n=8)at 21 d old were fed 3 diets supplemented with 0(control),1 and 3 g/kg D-GlcNAc.The intestinal organoid model was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of D-GlcNAc on intestinal epithelial cells.On the whole,supplementation of D-GlcNAc in the piglet diet has no significant effect on the growth performance and diarrhoea of weaned piglets(P>0.05).The apparent digestibility of nutrients and mRNA abundance of nutrient transporters in the 1 g/kg D-GlcNAc group were increased significantly(P<0.05).D-GlcNAc did not affect villus height(VH)and crypt depth(CD)but resulted in a numerically shorter VH and shallower CD,which lead to an increase in ileal VH:CD ratio(P<0.05).Cell shedding rates in the ileum villi increased(P<0.05).The relative length and weight of the small intestine of weaned piglets increased(P<0.05).In vitro studies found that the budding rates of organoids treated with 0.1 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on the d 3 and 5(P<0.05).The average budding numbers per budding organoid treated with 0.1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc increased on d 3(P<0.05).D-GlcNAc upregulated leucine rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptor 5(Lgr5⁺)and Chromogranin A mRNA abundance in organoids(P<0.05).Mucin 2(Muc2)expression increased when treated with 1 and 10 mmol/L D-GlcNAc(P<0.05).In conclusion,dietary D-GlcNAc cannot improve the growth performance of weaned piglets.However,it can promote the growth and development of the intestinal tract and improve the digestion and absorption capacity of the intestine,which is achieved by affecting the activity of intestinal stem cells.     

Early life administration of milk fat globule membrane promoted SCFA-producing bacteria colonization,intestinal barriers and growth performance of neonatal piglets

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) possesses various nutritional and biological benefits for mammals, whereas its effects on neonatal gut microbiota and barrier integrity remained unclear. This study investigated the effects of MFGM administration on microbial compositions and intestinal barrier functions of neonatal piglets. Sixteen newborn piglets were randomly allocated into a CON group or MFGM group, orally administered with saline or MFGM solution (1 g/kg body weight) respectively during the first postnatal week, and all piglets were breastfed during the whole neonatal period. The present study found that the MFGM oral administration during the first postnatal week increased the plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G level, body weight and average daily gain of piglets (P < 0.05) on 21 d. Additionally, MFGM administration enriched fecal SCFA-producing bacteria (Ruminococaceae_UCG-002, Ruminococaceae_UCG-010, Ruminococaceae_UCG-004, Ruminococaceae_UCG-014 and [Ruminococcus]_gauvrearuii_group), SCFA concentrations (acetate, propionate and butyrate; P < 0.05) and their receptor (G-protein coupled receptor 41, GPR41). Furthermore, MFGM administration promoted intestinal villus morphology (P < 0.05) and barrier functions by upregulating genes of tight junctions (E-cadherin, claudin-1, occludin and zonula occludin 1 [ZO-1]), mucins (mucin-13 and mucin-20) and interleukin (IL)-22 (P < 0.05). Positive correlation was found between the beneficial microbes and SCFA levels pairwise with the intestinal barrier genes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, orally administrating MFGM during the first postnatal week stimulated SCFA-producing bacteria colonization and SCFA generation, enhanced intestinal barrier functions and consequently improved growth performance of neonatal piglets on 21 d. Our findings will provide new insights about MFGM intervention for microbial colonization and intestinal development of neonates during their early life.     

Changes in progenitors and differentiated epithelial cells of neonatal piglets

This study aimed to assess the changes of small intestinal morphology,progenitors,differentiated epithelial cells,and potential mechanisms in neonatal piglets.Hematoxylin and eosin staining of samples from 36 piglets suggested that dramatic changes were observed in the jejunum crypts depth and crypt fission index of neonatal piglets(P<0.001).The number of intestinal stem cells(ISC)tended to increase(P<0.10),and a decreased number of enteroendocrine cells appeared in the jejunal crypt on d 7(P<0.05).Furthermore,the mRNA expression of jejunal chromogranin A(ChgA)was down-regulated in d 7 piglets(P<0.05).There was an up-regulation of the adult ISC marker gene of SPARC related modular calcium binding 2(Smoc2),and Wnt/b-catenin target genes on d 7(P<0.05).These results were further verified in vitro enteroid culture experiments.A mass of hollow spheroids was cultured from the fetal intestine of 0-d-old piglets(P<0.001),whereas substantial organoids with budding and branching structures were cultured from the intestine of 7-d-old piglets(P<0.001).The difference was reflected by the organoid budding efficiency,crypt domains per organoid,and the surface area of the organoid.Furthermore,spheroids on d 0 had more Ki67-positive cells and enteroendocrine cells(P<0.05)and showed a decreasing trend in the ISC and goblet cells(P<0.10).Moreover,the mRNA expression of spheroids differed markedly from that of organoids,with low expression of intestinal differentiation gene(Lysozyme;P<0.05),epithelial-specific markers(Villin,E-cadherin;P<0.05),and adult ISC markers(leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5[Lgr5],Smoc2;P<0.001),and upregulation of fetal marker(connexin 43[Cnx43];P<0.05).The mRNA expression of relevant genes was up-regulated,and involved in Wnt/b-catenin,epidermal growth factor(EGF),Notch,and bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)signaling on d 7 organoids(P<0.05).Spheroids displayed low differentiated phenotype and high proliferation,while organoids exhibited strong differentiation potential.These results indicated that the conversion from the fetal progenitors(spheroids)to adult ISC(normal organoids)might largely be responsible for the fast development of intestinal epithelial cells in neonatal piglets.     

Growth,digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp Ctenopharyngodonidella fed graded levels of dietary threonine

Background

This study was carried out to investigate effects of threonine levels on growth, digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp (Ctenopharyngodonidella).

Results

Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake and feed efficiency were significantly improved by dietary threonine (P < 0.05). Intestinal activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin, alpha-amylase, lipase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and creatine kinase took the similar trends. Contents of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in intestine and hepatopancreas were significantly decreased by dietary optimal threonine supplementation (P < 0.05). Anti-superoxide anion capacity, anti-hydroxyl radical capacity, glutathione content and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase in intestine and hepatopancreas were enhanced by dietary threonine (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Dietary threonine could improve growth, enhance digestive and absorptive capacity and antioxidant status in intestine and hepatopancreas of sub-adult grass carp. The dietary threonine requirement of sub-adult grass carp (441.9-1,013.4 g) based on weight gain was 11.6 g/kg diet or 41.5 g/kg of dietary protein by quadratic regression analysis.     

Dietary dihydroartemisinin supplementation alleviates intestinal inflammatory injury through TLR4/NOD/NF-κB signaling pathway in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation

The aim of present study was to evaluate whether diets supplemented with dihydroartemisinin (DHA) could alleviate intestinal inflammatory injury in weaned piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Twelve normal birth weight (NBW) piglets and 12 piglets with IUGR were fed a basal diet (NBW-CON and IUCR-CON groups), and another 12 piglets with IUGR were fed the basal diet supplemented with DHA at 80 mg/kg (IUGR-DHA group) from 21 to 49 d of age. At 49 d of age, 8 piglets with similar body weight in each group were sacrificed. The jejunal and ileal samples were collected for further analysis. The results showed that IUGR impaired intestinal morphology, increased intestinal inflammatory response, raised enterocyte apoptosis and reduced enterocyte proliferation and activated transmembrane toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Dihydroartemisinin inclusion ameliorated intestinal morphology, indicated by increased villus height, villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, villus surface area and decreased villus width of piglets with IUGR (P < 0.05). Compared with NBW piglets, IUGR piglets supplemented with DHA exhibited higher apoptosis index and caspase-3 expression, and lower proliferation index and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in the intestine (P < 0.05). Dihydroartemisinin supplementation attenuated the intestinal inflammation of piglets with IUGR, indicated by increased concentrations of intestinal inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharides (P < 0.05). In addition, DHA supplementation down-regulated the related mRNA expressions of TLR4/NOD/NF-κB signaling pathway and upregulated mRNA expressions of negative regulators of TLR4 and NOD signaling pathway in the intestine of piglets with IUGR (P < 0.05). Piglets in the IUGR-DHA group showed lower protein expressions of TLR4, phosphorylated NF-κB (pNF-κB) inhibitor α, nuclear pNF-κB, and higher protein expression of cytoplasmic pNF-κB in the intestine than those in the IUGR-CON group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, DHA supplementation could improve intestinal morphology, regulate enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and alleviate intestinal inflammation through TLR4/NOD/NF-κB signaling pathway in weaned piglets with IUGR.     

Prevotella-rich enterotype may benefit gut health in finishing pigs fed diet with a high amylose-to-amylopectin ratio

To investigate the influence of baseline enterotypes and dietary starch type on the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), numbers of butyrate producing bacteria and the expression of genes related to intestinal barrier and inflammatory response in the colon of finishing pigs, a 60-d in vivo trial was conducted. A 2-wk pre-trial with 102 crossbred (Duroc × [Landrace × Yorkshire]) finishing barrows (90 d old) was conducted to screen enterotypes. Then, a total of 32 pigs (87.40 ± 2.76 kg) with high (HPBR, ≥ 14) and low (LPBR, ≤ 2) Prevotella-to-Bacteroides ratios (PBR) in equal measure were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates per group and 1 pig per replicate. The trial was designed following a 2 (PBR) × 2 (amylose-to-amylopectin ratio, AMR) factorial arrangement. Pigs with different PBR were fed diets based on corn-soybean meal with high AMR (HAMR, 1.24) or low AMR (LAMR, 0.23), respectively. Results showed that neither PBR nor AMR influenced the growth performance of pigs. HPBR pigs fed HAMR diet had a higher number of colonic Clostridium cluster XIVa and higher gene expression of butyrate kinase compared to the LPBR pigs (P < 0.05). The HPBR pigs fed HAMR diets also had increased colonic concentrations of total SCFA and propionate compared to the LPBR pigs (P < 0.05). Comparing with other pigs, HPBR pigs fed HAMR diets showed a lower (P < 0.05) expression of histone deacetylases (HDAC) gene and higher (P < 0.05) expression of G protein-coupled receptor 43 gene (GPR 43) in the colonic mucosa. The interaction (P < 0.05) of HPBR and HAMR was also found to decrease the gene expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in colonic mucosa. These findings show that HAMR diet increased the abundance and activity of butyrate-producing bacteria and the concentration and absorption of SCFA, which may be associated with the decreased gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa of pigs with Prevotella-rich enterotype. All these alterations are likely to have a positive effect on the intestinal health of finishing pigs.     

Dietary N-carbamylglutamate or L-arginine improves fetal intestinal amino acid profiles during intrauterine growth restriction in undernourished ewes

Our previous studies demonstrated that prenatal in utero growth restriction impairs postnatal intestinal function.Thus,improving postpartal intestinal absorption capacity and growth by manipulating the maternal diet prepartum is of importance.This work was conducted to determine whether supplementation of N-carbamylglutamate(NCG)or rumen-protected L-arginine(RP-Arg)increased fetal intestinal amino acid(AA)profiles in intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR)fetuses.On d 35 of gestation,Hu ewes(n=32)carrying twin fetuses were randomized into 4 groups(8 ewes and 16 fetuses in each group),where diets were as follows:100%of nutrient requirements recommended by National Research Council(NRC,2007)(CON);50%of nutrient requirements recommended by NRC(2007)(RES);RES+RPArg(20 g/d),(RES+ARG);and RES+NCG(5 g/d),(RES+NCG).On d 110 of gestation,both fetal and maternal tissues were collected and weighed.Compared with RES,solute carrier family 1,member 5(SLC1A5)was upregulated(P<0.05)within fetal jejunum,duodenum and ileum when supplementing NCG and RP-Arg.Relative to RES,RP-Arg or NCG supplementation to RES resulted in upregulation(P<0.05)of peptide transporter 1 protein abundance within the fetal ileum.NCG or RP-Arg supplementation to RES also upregulated phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin(pmTOR)-to-mTOR ratio in the fetal ileum induced by IUGR(P<0.05).As a result,during IUGR,supplementation of Arg or NCG affected intestinal AA profiles in the fetus in part through controlling mTOR signal transduction as well as AA and peptide transport.Future studies should be conducted to understand the role(if any)of the placenta on the improvement of growth and AA profiles independent of the fetal intestine.This would help demonstrate the relative contribution of intestinal uptake in fetal life.     

Signaling pathways involved in liver injury and regeneration in rabbit hemorrhagic disease, an animal model of virally-induced fulminant hepatic failure

Management of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) continues to be one challenging problem, and experimental animal models resembling its clinical conditions are still needed. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) fullfils many requirements of an animal model of FHF. This work investigated changes in MAPK, NF-κB, AP-1 and STAT pathways during RHD-induced liver injury. Rabbits were infected with 2 × 10⁴ hemagglutination units of an RHD virus isolate. Apoptosis was documented by the presence of caspase-3 activity and substantial PARP proteolysis at 36 and 48 h postinfection (pi). Infection induced a marked and maintained expression of TNF-α from 12 h pi, while there was only a transitory increase in IL-6 expression. Expression of phosphorylated (p)-JNK, p-p38 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly elevated at 12 h pi. At 48 h pi p-JNK expression was maintained at a maximum level, while that of p-p38 returned to normality and there was no p-ERK1/2 expression. Activation of NF-κB and AP-1 and increased expression of VCAM-1 and COX-2 were observed. No significant changes were detected in activation of STAT1 and STAT3, while SOCS3 expression increased significantly. The current findings suggest that activation of JNK is an essential component in liver injury mediated by the RHD virus and that lack of activation of STAT3, probably mediated by SOCS3 over-expression, would contribute to the inhibition of the regenerative response. Data show the presence of molecular mechanisms contributing to liver damage and the lack of regeneration and they support the usefulness of this model to investigate novel therapeutical modalities in FHF.     

Dietary inclusion of multispecies probiotics to reduce the severity of post-weaning diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli F18+ in pigs

This study was aimed to determine the efficacy of multispecies probiotics in reducing the severity of post-weaning diarrhea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18⁺ on newly weaned pigs. Thirty-two pigs (16 barrows and 16 gilts, BW = 6.99 ± 0.33 kg) at 21 d of age were individually allotted in a randomized complete block design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Pigs were selected from sows not infected previously and not vaccinated against ETEC. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 25 d based on 10 d phase 1 and 15 d phase 2. The factors were ETEC challenge (oral inoculation of saline solution or E. coli F18⁺ at 2 × 10⁹ CFU) and probiotics (none or multispecies probiotics 0.15% and 0.10% for phase 1 and 2, respectively). Body weight and feed intake were measured on d 5, 9, 13, 19, and 25. Fecal scores were measured daily. Blood samples were taken on d 19 and 24. On d 25, all pigs were euthanized to obtain samples of digesta, intestinal tissues, and spleen. The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), malondialdehyde (MDA), peptide YY (PYY), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured in serum and intestinal tissue. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The fecal score of pigs was increased (P < 0.05) by ETEC challenge at the post–challenge period. The ETEC challenge decreased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height and crypt depth, tended to increase (P = 0.056) jejunal TNFα, increased (P < 0.05) ileal crypt depth, and decreased (P < 0.05) serum NPY. The probiotics decreased (P < 0.05) serum TNFα, tended to reduce (P = 0.064) jejunal MDA, tended to increase (P = 0.092) serum PYY, and increased (P < 0.05) jejunal villus height, and especially villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in challenged pigs. Growth performance of pigs were not affected by ETEC challenge, whereas the probiotics increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and tended to increase (P = 0.069) G:F ratio. In conclusion, ETEC F18⁺ challenge caused diarrhea, intestinal inflammation and morphological damages without affecting the growth performance. The multispecies probiotics enhanced growth performance by reducing intestinal inflammation, oxidative stress, morphological damages.     

Serum biochemical parameters and amino acids metabolism are altered in piglets by early-weaning and proline and putrescine supplementations

The study was to investigate the effect of early-weaning stress and proline (Pro) and putrescine (Put) supplementations on serum biochemical parameters and amino acids (AA) metabolism in suckling and post-weaning pigs. Blood and small intestinal mucosa were harvested from suckling piglets at 1, 7, 14, and 21 d of age and piglets on d 1, 3, 5, and 7 after weaning at 14 d of age, as well as from piglets received oral administration of Pro and Put from 1 to 14 d old. In suckling piglets, the serum glucose, albumin and total cholesterol levels were increased (P < 0.05) with increasing age, whereas the serum globulin, urea nitrogen (BUN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were lowered (P < 0.05). The concentrations of most serum AA and the AA transporters related gene expressions were highest in 7-d-old piglets (P < 0.05), whereas the phosphorylation status of the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the small intestine increased in piglets from 1 to 21 d old (P < 0.05). Weaning at 14 d old increased (P < 0.05) the BUN and triglycerides levels in serum, as well as jejunal solute carrier family 7 member 6 (SLC7A6), ileal SLC36A1 and SLC1A1 mRNA abundances at d 1 or 3 post-weaning. Weaning also inhibited (P < 0.05) the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and its downstream ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and 4E-binding protein-1 (4EBP1) in the small intestine of weanling pigs. Oral administration of Put and Pro decreased (P < 0.05) serum ALP levels and increased (P < 0.05) intestinal SLC36A1 and SLC1A1 mRNA abundances and mTOR pathway phosphorylation levels in post-weaning pigs. Pro but not Put treatment enhanced (P < 0.05) serum Pro, arginine (Arg) and glutamine (Gln) concentrations of weaning-pigs. These findings indicated that early-weaning dramatically altered the biochemical blood metabolites, AA profile and intestinal mTOR pathway activity, and Pro and Put supplementations improved the AA metabolism and transportation as well as activated the intestinal mTOR pathway in weanling-pigs. Our study has an important implication for the broad application of Pro and Put in the weaning transition of piglets.     

Cytokine response in Balb/c mice infected with Francisella tularensis LVS and the Pohang isolate

We investigated the immune response induced by the Francisella (F.) tularensis live vaccine strain (LVS) and the Pohang isolate. After the Balb/c mice were infected intradermally (i.d) with 2 × 10⁴ cfu of F. tularensis LVS and Pohang, respectively, their blood and organs were collected at different times; 0, 3, 6, 24, 72, 96, 120 and 168 h after infection. Using these samples, RT-PCR and ELISA analysis were carried out for the comparative study of the cytokines, including TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-12. In the Pohang-infected mice at 120 h, the liver showed a 53 times higher level of TNF-α and a 42 times higher level of IFN-γ than the respective levels at the early time points after infection. The levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ induced by LVS were 5 times lower than those induced by the Pohang isolate. Also, the organs from the Pohang-infected mice showed higher levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10 and IL-12 than the levels in the LVS-infected mice. The blood from the Pohang-infected mice at 120 h revealed about a 40 times increased level of IFN-γ, and IL-10 was also increased by 4 times at 96 h compared to an early infection time point, while IL-4 was not induced during the whole infection period. These results suggest that F. tularensis may induce a Th1-mediated immune response to in vivo infection and the Pohang isolate has a higher capacity than the LVS to induce an acute immune response in Blab/c mice.     

Regulatory role of l-proline in fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation

l-proline (Pro) is a precursor of ornithine, which is converted into polyamines via ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Polyamines plays a key role in the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. The study investigated the effect of Pro on polyamine metabolism and cell proliferation on porcine enterocytes in vivo and in vitro. Twenty-four Huanjiang mini-pigs were randomly assigned into 1 of 3 groups and fed a basal diet that contained 0.77% alanine (Ala, iso-nitrogenous control), 1% Pro or 1% Pro + 0.0167% α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) from d 15 to 70 of gestation. The fetal body weight and number of fetuses per litter were determined, and the small and large intestines were obtained on d 70 ± 1.78 of gestation. The in vitro study was performed in intestinal porcine epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells cultured in Dulbecco''s modified Eagle medium-high glucose (DMEM-H) containing 0 μmol/L Pro, 400 μmol/L Pro, or 400 μmol/L Pro + 10 mmol/L DFMO for 4 d. The results showed that maternal dietary supplementation with 1% Pro increased fetal weight; the protein and DNA concentrations of the fetal small intestine; and mRNA levels for potassium voltage-gated channel, shaker-related subfamily, member 1 (Kv1.1) in the fetal small and large intestines (P < 0.05). Supplementing Pro to either gilts or IPEC-J2 cells increased ODC protein abundances and polyamine concentrations in the fetal intestines and IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). In comparison with the Pro group, the combined administration of Pro and DFMO reduced the expression of ODC protein and spermine concentration in the fetal intestine, as well as the concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine in IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the percentage of cells in the S-phase and the mRNA levels of proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-myc were increased in response to Pro supplementation, whereas depletion of cellular polyamines with DFMO increased tumor protein p53 (p53) mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Taken together, dietary supplementation with Pro improved fetal pig growth and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation via enhancing polyamine synthesis.     

Organic acid blends improve intestinal integrity,modulate short-chain fatty acids profiles and alter microbiota of broilers under necrotic enteritis challenge

Controlling enteric diseases of broilers is crucial.Among many additives,organic acids(OA)and their blends are gaining attention to combat diseases in the post-antibiotic era.The current study evaluated the potentials of short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)and medium-chain fatty acids(MCFA)blends and/or phenolic compounds on intestinal integrity,intestinal pH,caecal microbiota,and caecal SCFA profiles of broilers under necrotic enteritis(NE)challenge.The additives used were:(A)a blend of SCFA,MCFA,and a phenolic compound(SMP),(B)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA(SMF),and(C)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA(SHM).A total of 1,404 male parental chicks of Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to 78 floor pens on hatching day with 6 treatments replicated 13 times with 18 birds per pen.The treatments were:UCC,unchallenged control;CHC,challenged control;BAC,challenged group plus zinc bacitracin;SMP,challenged group plus additive SMP;SMF,challenged group plus additive SMF;SHM,challenged group plus additive SHM.Birds were challenged with field-strain Eimeria spp.on d 9 and Clostridium perfringens on d 14.Birds challenged with NE increased fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran(FITC-d)concentration in serum,reduced acetate and butyrate concentrations,and increased Bacteroides and C.perfringens load in the caeca(P<0.05).Birds fed additives decreased FITC-d from gut to serum,reduced Bacteroides(d 16,P<0.05)and numerically reduced C.perfringens load compared to CHC group.Birds fed additive SHM had higher concentrations of acetate and butyrate(d 21,P<0.05)than CHC group but were not different from SMP and SMF groups.All the additives exhibited similar intestinal protection against NE compared to the BAC group indicated by FITC-d concentration in serum,acetate,propionate and butyrate concentrations in the caeca,and caecal bacterial loads except for the C.perfringens(P>0.05).The SMP group had a higher load compared to BAC(P<0.05).These findings suggest the promising effects of OA blends as alternatives to BAC to ameliorate the impact of NE challenge of broilers as indicated by improved intestinal health.     

Hypercoagulability in Dogs with Blastomycosis

Background

Blastomycosis is a potentially fatal fungal disease that most commonly affects humans and dogs. The organism causes systemic inflammation and has a predilection for the lungs. The inflammation might lead to a hypercoagulable state with microemboli in the pulmonary circulation which could contribute to inadequate oxygen exchange in infected dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Dogs with blastomycosis will be hypercoagulable compared with healthy case‐matched controls.

Animals

Client‐owned dogs with a diagnosis of blastomycosis (n = 23) and healthy case‐matched controls (n = 23).

Methods

Prospective case‐controlled study of client‐owned dogs presented to a veterinary teaching hospital with clinical signs compatible with blastomycosis. Complete blood counts, fibrinogen, PT, aPTT, thromboelastometry (TE), thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT), and thrombin generation were evaluated.

Results

Cases had a leukocytosis compared with controls [mean (SD) 16.6 (7.6) × 10³/μL versus 8.2 (1.8) × 10³/μL, P < .001], hyperfibrinogenemia [median 784 mg/dL, range 329–1,443 versus median 178 mg/dL, range 82–257, P < .001], and increased TAT concentrations [mean (SD) 9.0 (5.7) μg/L versus 2.0 (2.8) μg/L, P < .001]. As compared to controls, cases were also hypercoagulable as evaluated by thromboelastometry and had increased in vitro thrombin generation on calibrated automated thrombography.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Hypercoagulability occurs in dogs with systemic blastomycosis. Additional studies are needed to explore a possible contribution of thrombogenicity to the clinical manifestations of systemic blastomycosis.     

Effects of dietary sodium butyrate on growth,digestive enzymes,body composition and nutrient retention-related gene expression of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth, digestive enzymes, body composition and nutrient retention-related gene expression of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets (420 g/kg protein and 90 g/kg lipid) were formulated to contain 0 (control), 250, 500, 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg SB. Triplicate groups of 40 fish (BW = 1.26 ± 0.01 g) per tank (300-L cylindrical fiberglass tanks) for each diet were fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Stomach, hepatopancreas and intestine samples were obtained for digestive enzymes activities analyses. A real-time quantitative PCR analysis was performed to determine the relative expression of target of rapamycin (TOR) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in the hepatopancreas and intestine. Fish fed the diets supplemented with SB at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg showed significantly higher specific growth rate and significantly lower feed conversion ratio compared to the control (P < 0.05). Dietary SB inclusion did not alter activities of intestinal amylase, creatine kinase and sodium–potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase), but increased activities of hepatic trypsin, stomachic lipase, intestinal lipase, alkaline phosphatase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase for fish fed 1,000 mg/kg SB compared to the control (P < 0.05). Intestine length index, intestine somatic index, fold height and muscular thickness of distal intestine were significantly higher in 1,000 mg/kg SB groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). Significantly higher levels of whole-body crude protein, ash, calcium, phosphorus, nutrition retention and relative mRNA of intestinal TOR were observed in 1,000 mg/kg SB group (P < 0.05). Whole-body lipid content and hepatopancreas LPL mRNA expression in 2,000 mg/kg SB group were significantly higher than the control (P < 0.05). Relative mRNA levels of intestinal LPL and hepatopancreas TOR were significantly higher in the 500 mg/kg SB group compared to those in other groups (P < 0.05). The increased growth performance, digestive enzymes and nutrient retention in fish fed the diets supplemented with SB at 500 and 1,000 mg/kg suggests that SB can be a desirable growth promoter as an antibiotic alternative in diets.     

Gut microbiota absence and transplantation affect growth and intestinal functions: An investigation in a germ-free pig model

This study was conducted to investigate host–microbiota interactions and explore the effects of maternal gut microbiota transplantation on the growth and intestinal functions of newborns in a germ-free (GF) pig model. Twelve hysterectomy-derived GF Bama piglets were reared in 6 sterile isolators. Among them, 6 were considered as the GF group, and the other 6 were orally inoculated with healthy sow fecal suspension as fecal microbiota transplanted (FMT) group. Another 6 piglets from natural birth were regarded as the conventional (CV) group. The GF and FMT groups were hand-fed with Co60-γ-irradiated sterile milk powder, while the CV group was reared by lactating Bama sows. All groups were fed for 21 days. Then, all piglets and then were switched to sterile feed for another 21 days. Results showed that the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and concentrations of short-chain fatty acids in the GF group decreased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the serum urea nitrogen concentration and digesta pH values in the GF group increased compared with those in the FMT and CV groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the CV group, the GF group demonstrated upregulation in the mRNA expression levels of intestinal barrier function-related genes in the small intestine (P < 0.05). In addition, the mRNA abundances of intestinal development and absorption-related genes in the small intestine and colon were higher in the GF group than in the CV and FMT groups (P < 0.05). The FMT group exhibited greater growth performance, lipase activity, and nutrient digestibility (P < 0.05), higher mRNA expression levels of intestinal development and barrier-related genes in the small intestine (P < 0.05), and lower mRNA abundances of pro-inflammatory factor in the colon and jejunum (P < 0.05) than the CV group. In conclusion, the absence of gut microbes impaired the growth and nutrient digestibility, and healthy sow gut microbiota transplantation increased the growth and nutrient digestibility and improved the intestinal development and barrier function of newborn piglets, indicating the importance of intestinal microbes for intestinal development and functions.