Effects of age and diet on small intestinal structure and function in gnotobiotic piglets

The effects of age and dietary change on the structure and function of piglet small intestine were investigated in gnotobiotic pigs. The small intestinal mucosa was damaged when gnotobiotic pigs were weaned on to a pelleted meal diet; villus height, crypt cell production rate, and activities of brush border enzymes were reduced. Small intestinal damage was associated with reduced weight gain over a three week period; diarrhoea was not observed. The continuous consumption of meal appeared to perpetuate the intestinal damage for three weeks, although evidence of intestinal repair, as indicated by an increased crypt cell production rate, was present three weeks after weaning. Antibodies to soya antigen were detected in serum after weaning and the intestinal damage could have been caused by antibody-mediated immune reactions to soya proteins. Villi of milk fed gnotobiotic pigs shortened significantly with age.     

Small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early-weaned piglets fed a diet containing spray-dried porcine plasma

The purpose of this study was to test whether dietary spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in early-weaned piglets prevents small intestinal villus atrophy by trophic or protective activity. Fifty-four weaned, 18-day-old piglets were used to determine the effect of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth, enterocyt mitotic activity and brush border enzyme activities during the first week after weaning. The piglets were offered a diet containing either 8% SDPP or 8% casein. At 2 and 7 days after weaning, piglets were anaesthetized to provide samples of the small intestinal wall and killed immediately afterwards. There were no differences in daily gain and daily feed intake between the two dietary treatments. At day 2 after weaning, all piglets showed a marked reduction in villus height when compared with baseline values. In all piglets, small intestinal enterocyte mitotic activity had decreased by day 2 and was increased again on day 7. There were no significant effects of dietary SDPP on small intestinal villus length, crypt depth and enterocyt mitotic activity. This indicates that SDPP has no trophic effect on the small intestinal mucosa and that it does not protect against the damaging effect on the small intestinal villi that is associated with the process of weaning. There was no effect of SDPP on lactase-, sucrase- or maltase-specific activities that are a measure of the digestive function of the small intestine. It can be concluded that SDPP versus casein has no effect on small intestinal morphology and disaccharidase activities in early weaned piglets kept under low infection pressure.     

Effect of creep feeding on structural and functional changes of the gut of early weaned pigs

Dose-dependent hypersensitivity responses mounted against antigenic constituents of creep feeds have been previously implicated in intestinal damage, digestive disorders and impaired performance of early weaned pigs. In the present study biochemical and histological investigations of the small intestine were undertaken to determine the putative relationship between creep feed level and hypersensitivity response in pigs weaned at 14 days. Creep feed was administered by gastric intubation and weaned pigs received the same diet by gastric intubation for five days. Mucosal structure and function at weaning were not affected by creep feeding regimen. Villus height decreased and crypt depth increased in weaned compared to suckled pigs, but morphology was unaffected by prior exposure to creep. Xylose absorption was not influenced by either creep feed level or weaning. Intraepithelial lymphocyte numbers increased during weaning but were not affected by the creep feeding regimen. Mucosal carbohydrase activity in weaned pigs was not significantly affected by preweaning treatment. The results do not support the hypothesis that post weaning changes in structure and function of the gut are related to creep feed level or to immune responses to dietary antigens.     

发酵豆粕中大分子蛋白质和肽含量对仔猪小肠绒毛结构的影响

本试验旨在研究豆粕中大分子蛋白质和肽含量对仔猪小肠绒毛结构的影响。采用凝胶过滤色谱技术分析豆粕中大分子蛋白质和肽含量。选取40头断奶仔猪,随机分成4个处理:去皮豆粕处理、发酵豆粕C处理、发酵豆粕E处理和动物蛋白处理。试验期5周。结果表明:去皮豆粕中大分子蛋白质含量约占80%,发酵豆粕中约占50%,甚至降至24%;发酵豆粕中肽含量约占19%,去皮豆粕中仅有2.7%。与去皮豆粕处理相比,发酵豆粕C处理十二指肠绒毛高度显著提高(P0.05),发酵豆粕E、发酵豆粕C处理十二指肠、空肠隐窝深度显著下降(P0.05),发酵豆粕E、发酵豆粕C处理十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度/隐窝深度均显著升高(P0.05)。由此可见,豆粕中大分子蛋白质含量与小肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度呈负相关;发酵豆粕能够在断奶仔猪饲料中使用,并且有效改善断奶仔猪小肠绒毛结构。     

Effects of weaning and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli on net absorption in the small intestine of pigs

The purpose of this study was to measure the net absorption of fluid, sodium, potassium and chloride in the small intestine of weaned pigs and of their unweaned littermates and to correlate these values with villus height and crypt depth. Five pairs of segments of the small intestine were prepared in each of 80 pigs; the cranial segment of each pair was injected with an enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli and the caudal segment with a control solution. Net absorption was measured on the day of weaning and four, seven, 11 and 14 days after weaning. In unweaned pigs the net absorption of fluid, potassium and chloride did not vary with time. In weaned pigs the net absorption of fluid in the control segments was significantly less on days 4, 7 and 14 after weaning and of sodium and chloride on days 4 and 7 than in unweaned littermates. In infected segments of weaned pigs the net absorption of fluid was significantly less than in unweaned littermates on day 11 and 14, of sodium and potassium on day 11 and of chloride on days 4 and 11 after weaning. Net absorption was negatively correlated with villus height but only in the infected segments of weaned pigs; no other correlations were found. It was concluded that after weaning the net absorption of fluid and electrolytes in the small intestine of pigs is temporarily decreased, a condition that may initiate diarrhoea.     

幼龄仔猪PEDV感染肠道损伤模型的建立

试验旨在建立猪流行性腹泻病毒（PEDV）感染幼龄仔猪肠道损伤模型。试验选用16头7日龄健康幼龄仔猪（杜×长×大）,随机分为两个处理组：对照组和PEDV组,每个处理8个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期为10 d,试验期间两个处理组饲喂相同的基础日粮。于试验第7天晚上对PEDV组仔猪口腔灌服PEDV病毒（剂量为10^4.5 TCID₅₀）,对照组灌服等量的生理盐水。于试验第10天早上空腹灌服D-木糖（0.1 g/kg体重）,1 h后前腔静脉采血,屠宰取样,取十二指肠、空肠、回肠等组织样品,测定平均日增重（ADG）、腹泻率（DR）、肠道形态结构、肠道黏膜损伤相关基因mRNA水平。试验结果表明：①PEDV感染显著降低了仔猪ADG（P<0.05）,极显著提高了仔猪腹泻率（P<0.01）;②PEDV感染极显著降低了血浆D-木糖含量、空肠和回肠绒毛高度、十二指肠、空肠和回肠绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值（P<0.01）,显著提高了十二指肠和空肠隐窝深度（P<0.05）;③PEDV感染极显著提高了仔猪空肠黏膜PEDV M基因的相对表达量（P<0.01）,极显著降低了肠绒毛蛋白（villin）和肠型脂肪酸结合蛋白（i-FABP）基因的相对表达量（P<0.01）。以上结果表明,口腔灌服PEDV可以成功诱导建立幼龄仔猪肠道损伤模型。     

Effect of spray-dried plasma and lipopolysaccharide exposure on weaned pigs: I. Effects on the immune axis of weaned pigs

A study was conducted with 20 weaned barrows (14 d, 4.98 +/- .21 kg) to determine the effect of spray-dried plasma (SDP) on the pig's immune response to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. After weaning, pigs were fed a diet containing 0 or 7% SDP for 7 d. On d 6 postweaning, all pigs were fitted with a jugular catheter. On d 7 postweaning, the pigs were given an i.p. injection of either saline or LPS (150 microg/kg BW) followed by a 3-h blood collection every 15 min. Following blood collection, all pigs were killed and tissue was collected for mRNA analysis. Additionally, the small intestine was collected for measurement of villus height, crypt depth, and villus height:crypt depth ratio (VCR) at three sites (25, 50, and 75% of the total length). Feeding SDP resulted in reduced (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) mRNA in the adrenal gland, spleen, hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and liver. Additionally, expression of IL-6 mRNA was reduced (P < 0.05) in the spleen and pituitary gland for pigs fed SDP. For pigs fed the diet with SDP, LPS administration did not affect (P > 0.10) cytokine mRNA expression, whereas LPS reduced expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in the spleen and IL-1beta mRNA in the adrenal gland, spleen, and thymus for pigs fed the diet without SDP. For pigs fed the diet with SDP, LPS caused serum TNF-alpha to increase 150-fold compared to a 60-fold increase for pigs fed the diet without SDP. Similarly, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) increased 110-fold for pigs fed the diet with SDP compared to a 16-fold increase for pigs fed the diet without SDP. For pigs fed the diet with SDP, LPS caused major villus atrophy, whereas for pigs fed the diet without SDP, LPS had no effect on intestinal morphology. These results demonstrate that the basal activation of the immune system appears to be less for pigs fed the diet with SDP compared to pigs fed the diet without SDP after weaning. Additionally, for pigs fed the diet with SDP, there appeared to be an overresponse of the immune system following LPS administration, which resulted in major damage to the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract.     

Body and intestinal growth of broiler chicks on a commercial starter diet. 1. Intestinal weight and mucosal development

1. A study was conducted on the pattern of development of the intestinal mucosa of the Steggles x Ross (F1) strain of broiler chickens reared on a commercial starter diet. The mechanisms underlying the structural changes were also assessed. 2. In relation to body weight, small intestinal weight peaked at 7 d of age and declined subsequently. There was also a reduction in the relative weights of the gizzard and yolk sac with age. The length of the small intestine and its regions increased with age. 3. Crypt depth increased with age in the duodenum and jejunum while villus height increased significantly with age in all three regions of the small intestine. There were also significant changes in apparent villus surface area in the three regions, while interactions between age and intestinal region were significant in the case of crypt depth and villus height. 4. There were significant differences between the age groups in the mucosal protein content of jejunal and ileal homogenates, both tending to peak at 7 d of age. The DNA content of the intestinal mucosa declined with age in the three regions of the small intestine. While there was an increase in RNA content in the duodenum and ileum, there was a reduction in the jejunum. 5. Protein: DNA ratio increased between hatch and 21 d of age in all intestinal regions. Protein: RNA ratio decreased with age in the duodenum and ileum but increased in the jejunum. There were significant increases in RNA: DNA ratio in the duodenum and ileum but no changes were observed in the jejunum. The interactions between age and intestinal region were significant for all biochemical indices assessed. 6. At all ages, enterocyte proliferation at the jejunum was completed and quantifiable within 1 h of administration of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrDU). Subsequent assessment revealed an increase in crypt column count and number of BrDU-labelled cells. The rate of cell migration increased with age while there was a decline in the distance migrated in proportion to mucosal depth. The estimated life-span of enterocytes and time spent by enterocytes in the crypt varied with age. In d-old and 7-d-old chicks, migration was complete or nearly complete within 96 h of cell birth. 7. Although the intestinal mucosa of the strain was structurally developed at hatch, there was much change in structure with age, especially over the first 7 d post hatch. The rate of development was most rapid in the jejunum but the other regions are also important, on account of villus height or relative length of the region.     

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。     

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.     

缓释复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪消化道酸度及肠道功能的影响

本试验选用28 R龄断奶、平均体质量(7.00±0.10)kg的长白猪(♂)×大白猪(♂)二元杂交仔猪64头,按单因索试验设计原则,研究在玉米一豆粕一膨化大豆型基础日粮中添加不同类型(包被未包被)复合酸化剂对断奶仔猪胃肠道酸度、生产性能、肠组织形态、消化酶活性、肠道微生物菌群及肠黏膜抗体SIgA的影响.试验设4个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复4头猪(公母各半),饲养试验时间为35 d.结果表明,微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂可以极显著降低断奶仔猪胃和小肠pH(P＜0.01);极显著提高空肠绒毛高度和隐窝深度的比值(P＜0.01);断奶前期,显著提高小肠蔗糖酶和乳糖酶活性(P＜0.05);断奶后期,极显著提高仔猪盲肠和结肠中乳酸杆菌数量,降低大肠杆菌数量(P＜0.01);微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂还有增加仔猪肠黏膜抗体SIgA分泌量的趋势(P＞0.05).结果提示,在断奶仔猪日粮中添加微胶囊型缓释复合酸化剂,可以通过降低肠道pH,优化肠道微生物区系,改善肠组织形态和功能,从而提高断奶仔猪肠道的消化力和适应性,并促进仔猪生长.     

Clays as dietary supplements for swine: A review

Clays are crystalline, hydrated aluminosilicate molecules composed of alkali and alkaline earth cations along with small amounts of various other elements. The best-known are montmorillonite, smectite, illite, kaolinite, biotite and clinoptilolite. The molecules in these clays are arranged in three-dimensional structures creating internal voids and channels capable of trapping a wide variety of molecules. As a result of this structure, clay minerals are regarded as a simple and effective tool for the prevention of the negative effects of many toxic compounds. Dietary supplementation with clays has been shown to improve weight gain and feed conversion in pigs. Where improvements in performance have been noted, one of the most likely explanations for the improvement is the fact clays increase nutrient digestibility. Clays reduce the speed of passage of feed along the digestive tract which allows more time for digestion. Feeding clays also causes morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa such as an increase in villus height and an increase in the villus height to crypt depth ratio. These changes increase the surface area of the gastrointestinal tract thus increasing nutrient digestibility. Several studies have indicated that feeding clay reduces the incidence, severity and duration of diarrhea in pigs. The mechanism for the reduction in diarrhea is likely due to increases in the numbers of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus and decreases in Clostridia and E. coli in the small intestine of pigs fed clays. In addition, the numbers of pigs born alive and weaned, birth weight and weaning weight have been shown to be higher for sows fed clays. Several studies have indicated that clays can help mitigate the effects of mycotoxins. The aim of the present review is to focus on the various clays which have been given attention in recent research and to discuss their potential to improve pig performance.     

纳米载铜蒙脱石对断奶仔猪生长、肠道菌群及其肠黏膜形态的影响

选用128头健康“杜长大”三元杂交断奶仔猪,随机分为对照组、CuSO4组、纳米蒙脱石(MMT)组和MMT-Cu组,分别饲喂基础日粮(对照组)、基础日粮+78 mg/kg Cu2+(CuSO4.5H2O,相当于MMT-Cu中Cu2+的量)、基础日粮+2.0 g/kgMMT、基础日粮+2.0 g/kgMMT-Cu。结果表明,与对照组相比,MMT-Cu组能显著提高(P<0.05)断奶仔猪的平均日增重、饲料转化效率及小肠绒毛高度、绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值,显著降低(P<0.05)腹泻率及小肠、结肠内容物中大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的数量;而MMT组也显著降低(P<0.05)仔猪腹泻率,提高(P<0.05)小肠绒毛高度和绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值。与MMT组或CuSO4组相比,MMT-Cu组能显著(P<0.05)提高断奶仔猪的平均日增重和饲料转化效率(P<0.05),显著降低了(P<0.05)小肠和结肠内容物中大肠杆菌和沙门氏菌的数量。     

敌草快和硫辛酸对育肥猪肠道结构及消化功能的影响

本文旨在研究敌草快和硫辛酸(LA)对育肥猪肠道结构及消化功能的影响,以探究LA对敌草快引起的应激是否有缓解作用。选取24头(70.64±3.61)kg的健康大白阉公猪,按照2×2因子设计,随机分为对照组、LA组、敌草快组和LA+敌草快组,每个组设6个重复,每个重复1头猪。试验期29 d。LA添加剂量为800 mg/kg饲粮,饲喂贯穿试验全程,而一次性腹腔滴注敌草快于试验第15天进行,无腹腔滴注敌草快试验猪滴注等量的生理盐水。于试验第29天对所有试验猪前腔静脉采血后屠宰取样,运用试剂盒检测血浆和肠道氧化损伤标志物的含量以及空肠食糜消化酶的活性,苏木精-伊红(HE)染色后运用图像分析软件观察肠道形态结构并测定绒毛高度、隐窝深度,并计算绒毛高度/隐窝深度(V/C),荧光定量PCR法检测闭合蛋白(occludin)和紧密结合蛋白(ZO-1)的相对表达量。结果表明:1)敌草快极显著升高了试验猪血浆和肠道丙二醛(MDA)、蛋白质羰基(PCO)和8-羟基鸟苷(8-OHd G)的含量(P0.01),极显著降低了十二指肠、空肠及回肠绒毛高度、隐窝深度(P0.01),极显著增大了十二指肠和空肠V/C(P0.01),显著增大了回肠V/C(P0.05),极显著降低了空肠occludin和ZO-1 m RNA相对表达量(P0.01),极显著降低了空肠食糜中淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶以及脂肪酶的活性(P0.01)。2)饲粮中添加LA对试验猪血浆和肠道MDA、PCO和8-OHd G含量的影响均不显著(P0.05),对十二指肠、空肠和回肠的绒毛高度、隐窝深度以及V/C的影响均不显著(P0.05),对空肠occludin和ZO-1 m RNA相对表达量的影响也不显著(P0.05),对空肠食糜中淀粉酶、胰蛋白酶以及脂肪酶活性的影响差异也均不显著(P0.05)。3)在应激状态下,饲粮中添加LA使猪血浆8-OHd G含量显著降低(P0.05),十二指肠绒毛高度、空肠绒毛高度以及回肠隐窝深度显著升高(P0.05),空肠V/C显著降低(P0.05),回肠V/C极显著降低(P0.01),空肠occludin和ZO-1 m RNA相对表达量显著升高(P0.05),空肠食糜淀粉酶和胰蛋白酶的活性显著提升(P0.05)。由此可见,敌草快引起了育肥猪强烈的氧化应激,导致了肠道结构的严重损伤并减弱了肠道的消化功能;在敌草快引起的应激状态下,饲粮中添加800 mg/kg LA能够减缓肠道结构的损伤并能一定程度地提高肠道的消化功能。     

乳酸片球菌对肥育猪生长性能及肠道抗氧化能力、形态结构和菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究乳酸片球菌对肥育猪生长性能及肠道抗氧化能力、形态结构和菌群的影响。选取48头体重为(62.46±1.20)kg的"杜×长×大"肥育猪,将其随机分为2组,每组4个重复,每个重复6头猪(公母各占1/2)。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂基础饲粮中添加0.1 g/kg乳酸片球菌制剂(1.0×10~(10)CFU/g)的试验饲粮。试验期56 d。结果表明,与对照组相比:1)饲粮添加乳酸片球菌对肥育猪平均日采食量、平均日增重、料重比无显著影响(P0.05)。2)饲粮添加乳酸片球菌显著提高了肥育猪十二指肠谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性、空肠总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性以及回肠过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性(P0.05)。3)饲粮添加乳酸片球菌显著降低了肥育猪十二指肠隐窝深度(P0.05),显著提高了黏膜厚度(P0.05)、肠壁厚度(P0.05)以及绒毛高度/隐窝深度(P0.05);显著降低了空肠隐窝深度(P0.05),显著增加了绒毛高度/隐窝深度(P0.05);显著增加了回肠绒毛高度(P0.05)。4)饲粮添加乳酸片球菌显著增加了肥育猪空肠乳酸菌数量、定植抗力(P0.05),显著降低了大肠杆菌数量(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮添加0.1 g/kg乳酸片球菌(1.0×10~(10)CFU/g)能改善肥育猪肠道菌群和肠道形态结构,增强肠道抗氧化能力,进而促进肥育猪的肠道健康。     

Clays as dietary supplements for swine:A review

Clays are crystalline,hydrated aluminosilicate molecules composed of alkali and alkaline earth cations along with small amounts of various other elements.The best-known are montmorillonite,smectite,illite,kaolinite,biotite and clinoptilolite.The molecules in these clays are arranged in three-dimensional structures creating internal voids and channels capable of trapping a wide variety of molecules.As a result of this structure,clay minerals are regarded as a simple and effective tool for the prevention of the negative effects of many toxic compounds.Dietary supplementation with clays has been shown to improve weight gain and feed conversion in pigs.Where improvements in performance have been noted,one of the most likely explanations for the improvement is the fact clays increase nutrient digestibility.Clays reduce the speed of passage of feed along the digestive tract which allows more time for digestion.Feeding clays also causes morphological changes in the intestinal mucosa such as an increase in villus height and an increase in the villus height to crypt depth ratio.These changes increase the surface area of the gastrointestinal tract thus increasing nutrient digestibility.Several studies have indicated that feeding clay reduces the incidence,severity and duration of diarrhea in pigs.The mechanism for the reduction in diarrhea is likely due to increases in the numbers of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus and decreases in Clostridia and E.coli in the small intestine of pigs fed clays.In addition,the numbers of pigs born alive and weaned,birth weight and weaning weight have been shown to be higher for sows fed clays.Several studies have indicated that clays can help mitigate the effects of mycotoxins.The aim of the present review is to focus on the various clays which have been given attention in recent research and to discuss their potential to improve pig performance.     

Subclinical characteristics of the wasting pig syndrome

The plasma concentrations of cortisol and corticosteroid-binding globulin and the adrenal synthesis capacity of cortisol were analysed in 10-week-old healthy and age-matched wasting or unthrifty pigs. Crypt cell multiplication, villus height and intestinal mucosal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were also investigated. Furthermore, the effect of amperozide, a psychotropic drug with specific effects on emotional behaviour, was analysed for its effect on plasma ALP activity and villus height. Although the wasting pigs exhibited an increased cortisol synthesis capacity, there was a decreased plasma concentration of cortisol in these pigs. Furthermore, the plasma cortisol binding capacity was found to be significantly lowered in wasting pigs. There was also a reduced crypt cell proliferation, a reduced villus height and a decreased ALP activity in the ileal mucosa. Treatment with amperozide resulted in a normalisation of plasma ALP activity in unthrifty pigs, indicating a stimulation of body growth. The results indicate that the growth depression of wasting pigs is most probably a chronic stress syndrome caused by the inability of these animals to cope with the events following weaning and mixing.     

断奶应激对仔猪肠黏膜形态的影响

在仔猪断奶过渡期，胃肠结构受损是很普遍的，断奶后一段时间内，胃肠结构受损程度不同，本文研究了断奶后7d内（断奶后0-6d)，仔猪小肠黏膜形态的变化，试验仔猪28日龄断奶。试验分7组，每组6头仔猪。从断奶当天开始，每1d定时定点剖杀取小肠前段，小肠中部，小肠后段作组织切片，观察其绒毛高度，隐窝深度。结果表明，断奶后前4d，绒毛高度缩短，隐窝加深，断奶后第4d绒毛高度最短，断奶后第5d开始恢复。     

Enteral exposure to crude red kidney bean lectin induces maturation of the gut in suckling pigs.

The present investigation characterized the effect of red kidney bean lectin exposure on gut maturation and function in young piglets. Eleven suckling pigs were given by stomach tube a crude red kidney bean lectin preparation (containing about 25% lectin, 400 mg/kg BW) (lectin-treated pigs) at 10, 11, and 12 d of life, and an additional 16 pigs (control pigs) were given saline instead. On the next day, the intestinal absorptive capacity was determined in vivo, and on the 14th d of life the piglets were killed and organs and small intestine samples were collected for analyses and in vitro permeability experiments. The lectin-treated pigs showed an increase in stomach weights and mucosa thickness, whereas no weight effect was found for the small intestine, spleen, liver, or adrenals. Morphometric analyses of the small intestine in lectin-treated pigs showed a decrease in villus heights, an increase in crypt depths and crypt cell mitotic indices, and fewer vacuolated enterocytes per villus and reduced vacuole size. Lectin treatment also resulted in a decrease in the absorption of different-sized marker molecules after gavage feeding, a decrease in intestinal marker permeability, and a change in small intestinal disaccharidase activities, with increased maltase and sucrase activities. The size of the pancreatic acini was also greater in the lectin-treated pigs, but no increases in enzyme content or pancreatic weight could be determined. In addition, the blood plasma levels of cholecystokinin were higher in the lectin-treated than in the control pigs. The results indicate that exposure to crude red kidney bean lectin induces structural and functional maturation of the gut and pancreatic growth in young suckling piglets. This possibility of inducing gut maturation may lead to an improvement in the piglets' ability to adapt to weaning and to an increase in the growth and health of these animals.     

复合植物精油对脂多糖刺激断奶仔猪肠道形态结构和抗氧化能力的影响

为研究复合植物精油(OCT)对脂多糖(LPS)刺激断奶仔猪肠道结构和抗氧化能力的影响,本试验选取28日龄左右健康的杜×长×大三元杂交仔猪24头,按照体重相近原则随机分为3个处理组:对照组、LPS组和OCT组。对照组和LPS组仔猪饲喂基础日粮,OCT组仔猪饲喂基础日粮+50 mg/kg OCT。试验期21 d。于试验第21天,LPS组和OCT组仔猪注射LPS(100μg/(kg·BW)),对照组仔猪注射等量生理盐水。LPS或生理盐水注射后3 h采血;6 h后,屠宰全部仔猪取肠道样品测定有关指标。结果表明,与对照组相比,LPS组仔猪空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度有降低趋势(P>0.05),回肠绒毛高度及绒毛高度/隐窝深度显著降低(P<0.05);血浆过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、血浆和空肠超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著降低(P<0.05),空肠诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)活性、血浆和回肠H_2O_2含量显著上升(P<0.05)。与LPS组相比,OCT组仔猪空肠绒毛高度、空肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度和回肠绒毛高度显著提高(P<0.05),回肠绒毛高度/隐窝深度有提高趋势(P>0.05);血浆CAT、空肠SOD活性显著提高(P<0.05),血浆和回肠H_2O_2含量显著下降(P<0.05)。以上结果表明,日粮中添加50 mg/kg OCT可以在一定程度上缓解由LPS刺激引起的仔猪氧化应激,改善仔猪肠道结构。