Effects of Diets with Different Energy and Protein Levels on mRNA Expression of Glucose Transporters in Tan Sheep

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the diets with different energy and protein levels on mRNA expression of glucose transporters in the small intestine and muscle of Tan sheep. A total of 112 healthy Tan sheep (half male and half female) with similar initial live weight were randomly divided into four groups with four replicates per group and seven sheep per replicate. According to the Feeding Standard of Meat-producing Sheep and Goats (NY/T 816—2004),each group was fed diet with different levels of energy and protein respectively:0.84×standard level (group Ⅰ),0.96×standard level (group Ⅱ),1.08×standard level (group Ⅲ) and 1.20×standard level (group Ⅳ). The test period were divided into two stages by body weight of sheep (29-35 and 36-40 kg). At the end of each stage,one sheep was slaughtered at each replicate,and small intestine and muscle samples were collected to study mRNA relative expression of SGLT1,GLUT4 and GLUT5 genes by Real-time PCR. The results indicated that:SGLT1 gene mRNA expression levels of group Ⅲ was significantly higher than other groups in small intestine at the end of 29-35 kg stage (P< 0.05);At the end of 36-40 kg stage,the SGLT1 gene mRNA expression levels had no significant difference among the four groups (P> 0.05).In muscle,the SGLT1 gene mRNA expression level increased with the rise of energy and protein levels at both stages ,and that of group Ⅳ were the highest.In small intestine,at the end of 29-35 kg stage,the GLUT4 gene mRNA expression levels had no significant difference among the four groups (P> 0.05);At the end of 36-40 kg stage,the GLUT4 gene mRNA expression level increased with the rise of energy and protein levels,and that of group Ⅳ were significantly higher than the other groups (P< 0.05).In muscle,the GLUT4 gene mRNA expression level were the highest in group Ⅳ at both stages,and significantly higher than group Ⅰ (P< 0.05). The GLUT5 gene mRNA expression did not show any regularity at both stages. In conclusion,diets with different levels of energy and protein could significantly affect the mRNA expression of SGLT1 and GLUT4 genes,and affect absorption of glucose in sheep.     

日粮能量及蛋白质水平对滩羊糖类转运载体mRNA表达的影响

试验旨在研究日粮能量及蛋白质水平对滩羊小肠和肌肉组织中主要糖类转运载体mRNA表达的影响。选取112只健康、体重相近的滩羊（公、母各半）,随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复7只羊。参考肉羊饲养标准（NY/T 816-2004）,分别饲喂不同能量及蛋白质水平日粮,即0.84×标准水平（Ⅰ组）、0.96×标准水平（Ⅱ组）、1.08×标准水平（Ⅲ组）和1.20×标准水平（Ⅳ组）。试验分两个阶段（29~35和36~40 kg）,于每个阶段末,每个重复屠宰1只试验羊,取其小肠和肌肉组织样,运用实时荧光定量PCR技术,研究SGLT1、GLUT4、GLUT5基因mRNA的表达量变化。结果显示,在29~35 kg阶段末,Ⅲ组小肠中SGLT1基因mRNA的表达量最高,显著高于其他组（P< 0.05）,在36~40 kg阶段末各组间无显著差异（P> 0.05）,各组肌肉中SGLT1基因mRNA的表达量在两个阶段都随着能量及蛋白质水平的提高而增加,Ⅳ组均最高;在29~35 kg阶段末,各组间小肠中GLUT4基因mRNA表达量无显著差异（P> 0.05）,而在36~40 kg阶段末,GLUT4基因mRNA的表达量随着能量及蛋白质水平的提高而增加,Ⅳ组显著高于其他组（P< 0.05）,在肌肉中,Ⅳ组GLUT4基因mRNA在两个阶段末表达量均最高,均显著高于Ⅰ组（P< 0.05）;在两个试验阶段,GLUT5基因mRNA的表达量无规律性。综上所述,日粮能量及蛋白质水平会影响滩羊小肠和肌肉中SGLT1、GLUT4基因mRNA的表达量,从而影响机体对葡萄糖的消化吸收。     

Intestinal glucose absorption in calves as affected by different carbohydrate sources

From numerous recent studies, it has been demonstrated that the development of the forestomach system in ruminants and thus microbial carbohydrate fermentation do not exclude the potential of the small intestines for enzymatic carbohydrate digestion and subsequent monosaccharide absorption. However, the role of regulatory nutritional factors is still under discussion. Therefore, we investigated the kinetic parameters of intestinal Na⁺‐dependent glucose absorption and SGLT1 expression using isolated brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from the jejunum of 10‐week‐old calves kept on either hay, concentrate or corn silage‐based diets in addition to milk replacer. While the maximal transport capacity was significantly higher for concentrate and corn silage‐fed animals, SGLT1 protein expression was highest in BBMV isolated from hay‐fed animals. This observation differs from the prevalent conception that induction of Na⁺‐dependent glucose uptake via SGLT1 is based on an increased number of transporters at the brush border membrane.     

断奶仔猪小肠钠葡萄糖转运蛋白1和葡萄糖转运蛋白2mRNA表达变化及饲粮添加谷氨酰胺对其的影响

本试验旨在研究仔猪断奶后小肠黏膜钠葡萄糖转运蛋白1(SGLTl)和葡萄糖转运蛋白2(GLUT2)mRNA表达的发育性变化规律及谷氨酰胺是否对SGLTl和GLUT2 mRNA的表达产生影响.选择21日龄断奶的杜×长×大仔猪69头,断奶当天屠宰3头猪,其余66头随机分成2组,每组3个重复,每个重复11头仔猪.对照组饲喂基础...     

玉屏风多糖对草鱼肠黏膜形态结构及主要免疫与吸收相关基因表达的影响

本试验旨在探讨不同比例玉屏风多糖对草鱼肠黏膜形态结构及主要免疫与吸收相关基因表达的影响。试验选择750尾平均体重为(74.50±2.50)g的健康草鱼,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复25尾。对照组(Ⅰ组)投喂基础饲料,试验组(Ⅱ~Ⅴ组)投喂在基础饲料基础上分别添加0.8、1.2、1.6、2.0 g/kg玉屏风多糖的试验饲料。预试期7 d,正试期28 d。结果表明:1)与对照组相比,在试验第14天时,Ⅴ组的隐窝深度显著降低(P0.05),而绒腺比则显著提高(P0.05)。2)对照组相比,在试验第7天时,Ⅲ和Ⅳ组头肾中白介素-2(IL-2)mRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中干扰素γ(IFN-γ)mRNA相对表达量均极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肠道中钠葡萄糖转运蛋白1(SG LT-1)和葡萄糖转运蛋白2(GLUT-2)mRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01))。3)与对照组相比,在试验第14天时,Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中IL-2 mRNA相对表达量极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中IFN-γmRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肠道中SG LT-1和G LUT-2 mRNA相对表达量极显著提高(P0.01)。4)与对照组相比,在试验第21天时,Ⅳ组头肾中IL-2 mRNA相对表达量显著提高(P0.05),Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中IFN-γmRNA相对表达量极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肠道中SG LT-1和G LUT-2 mRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01)。5)与对照组相比,在试验第28天时,Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中IL-2 mRNA相对表达量极显著提高(P0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组头肾中IFN-γmRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01),Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组肠道中SGLT-1 mRNA相对表达量显著或极显著提高(P0.05或P0.01)。综上所述,在草鱼饲料中添加一定量的玉屏风多糖能够改善肠黏膜形态结构,促进肠道中SGLT-1和GLUT-2基因的表达,调控头肾中IL-2和IFN-γ基因的表达,从而提高肠道吸收功能、增强机体免疫力。从节约饲养成本出发,草鱼饲料中玉屏风多糖最适添加量为1.6 g/kg。     

Characterisation of glucose transporter (GLUT) gene expression in broiler chickens

1. Glucose transporter (GLUT) proteins, one of which is the major insulin-responsive transporter GLUT4, play a crucial role in cellular glucose uptake and glucose homeostasis in mammals. The aim of this study was to identify the extent of mRNA expression of GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3 and GLUT8 in chickens intrinsically lacking GLUT4. 2. GLUT1 mRNA was detected in most tissues of 3-week-old broiler chickens, with the highest expression measured in brain and adipose tissue. GLUT2 was expressed only in the liver and kidney. GLUT3 was highly expressed in the brain. GLUT8 was expressed ubiquitously, with expression in kidney and adipose tissue relatively higher than that of other tissues. 3. Expression levels of GLUT isoforms 1, 3 and 8 in skeletal muscle tissue were very low compared to the other tissues tested. 4. [3H]Cytochalasin B binding assays on tissue from 3-week-old chickens showed that the number of cytochalasin B binding sites in skeletal muscle plasma membranes was higher than in liver plasma membranes. These results suggest that GLUT proteins and/or GLUT-like proteins that bind cytochalasin B are expressed in chicken skeletal muscles. 5. It is proposed that GLUT expression and glucose transport in chicken tissues are regulated in a manner different from that in mammals.     

Expression of mRNA for sodium-glucose transporter 1 and fatty acid translocase in the ruminant gastrointestinal tract before and after weaning

The mRNA expression of sodium‐glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) and fatty acid translocase (CD36) in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein cattle and Saanen goats before and after weaning was investigated. Before weaning, the expression of both SGLT1 and CD36 was highest in the jejunum, relative to the other parts of the gastrointestinal tract in both species. The expression of SGLT1 and CD36 in the duodenum was second highest in the goats. After weaning, SGLT1 and CD36 expression in the small intestine significantly decreased in both species. The expression of both types of transporters was also detected in the forestomach. From these results, it was concluded that the jejunum is probably the major absorption site for glucose and long‐chain fatty acids before weaning, and that the expression of both types of transporters decreases after weaning in cattle and goats.     

Effect of nutrient intake on intramuscular glucose metabolism during the early growth stage in cross‐bred steers (Japanese Black male × Holstein female)

The objective was to investigate the impact of nutrient intake during the early growth period on the expression of glucose metabolism‐related genes in skeletal muscle of cross‐bred cattle. From 1.5 to 5 months of age, group H (n = 7) animals were intensively fed a high‐protein and low‐fat milk replacer [crude protein (CP) 28%; ether extracts (EE) 18%; max: 2.0 kg, 12 l/day], and group R (n = 7) animals were fed a restricted amount of normal milk replacer (CP 25%; EE 23%; max 0.5 kg, 4 l/day). From 6 to 10 months of age, group H cattle were fed a high‐nutrition total mixed ration mainly prepared from grain feed, and group R cattle were fed only roughage. Blood samples were taken from each animal at three biopsy times (1.5, 5 and 10 months of age), and the blood plasma concentration of glucose and insulin was analysed. In glucose concentration, there were no significant differences; however, the concentrations of insulin were higher in group H than in group R at 5 and 10 months of age. Muscle samples were taken by biopsy from longissimus thoracis muscle (LT) at 1.5, 5 and 10 months of age. We analysed mRNA expression levels using the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for glucose transporters (GLUT1 and GLUT4), insulin receptor, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K), protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt), hexokinase 1 (HK1) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα). Although no differences were detected at 1.5 and 5 months of age, at 10 months of age, GLUT1, HK1 and TNFα mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in group H than in group R. These results suggested Glut1 that affects insulin‐independently mediated glucose uptake was more responsive to improved nutrition during early growth stage than GLUT4 that insulin‐dependently mediated glucose uptake in LT of cattle.     

妊娠后期营养限制对母羊胃肠道葡萄糖转运载体相关基因表达的影响

本研究旨在研究妊娠后期营养限制对母羊胃肠道葡萄糖转运载体相关基因表达的影响。选取20只同期受孕的湘东黑山羊,随机分为2组,即对照组(自由采食)和限饲组(40%采食量限制),每组10只。预试期15 d(妊娠81~95 d),正试期39 d(妊娠96~135 d)。正试期结束后,屠宰并采取瘤胃、十二指肠、空肠、回肠以及盲肠的黏膜样品,利用实时定量PCR技术,检测Na+-葡萄糖共转运载体1(SGLT1)、Na+-葡萄糖共转运载体3(SGLT3)、易化葡萄糖转运载体2(GLUT2)和易化葡萄糖转运载体5(GLUT5)基因表达量。结果表明:限饲组与对照组相比,SGLT1基因表达量在瘤胃显著降低(P0.05),在空肠和回肠中有降低趋势(0.05≤P0.10);GLUT5基因表达量在盲肠显著降低(P0.05);而其他葡萄糖转运载体基因胃肠道表达量在限饲组和对照组差异均不显著(P0.05)。由此可见,母羊妊娠后期营养限制对胃肠道中葡萄糖转运载体基因表达有不同程度的影响,进而引起母羊机体内葡萄糖转运的改变。     

Glucose transport and milk secretion during manipulated plasma insulin and glucose concentrations and during LPS‐induced mastitis in dairy cows

In dairy cows, glucose is essential as energy source and substrate for milk constituents. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of long‐term manipulated glucose and insulin concentrations in combination with a LPS‐induced mastitis on mRNA abundance of glucose transporters and factors involved in milk composition. Focusing on direct effects of insulin and glucose without influence of periparturient endocrine adaptations, 18 dairy cows (28 ± 6 weeks of lactation) were randomly assigned to one of three infusion treatments for 56 h (six animals each). Treatments included a hyperinsulinemic hypoglycaemic clamp (HypoG), a hyperinsulinemic euglycaemic clamp (EuG) and a control group (NaCl). After 48 h of infusions, an intramammary challenge with LPS from E. coli was performed and infusions continued for additional 8 h. Mammary gland biopsies were taken before, at 48 (before LPS challenge) and at 56 h (after LPS challenge) of infusion, and mRNA abundance of genes involved in mammary gland metabolism was measured by RT‐qPCR. During the 48 h of infusions, mRNA abundance of glucose transporters GLUT1, 3, 4, 8, 12, SGLT1, 2) was not affected in HypoG, while they were downregulated in EuG. The mRNA abundance of alpha‐lactalbumin, insulin‐induced gene 1, κ‐casein and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase was downregulated in HypoG, but not affected in EuG. Contrary during the intramammary LPS challenge, most of the glucose transporters were downregulated in NaCl and HypoG, but not in EuG. The mRNA abundance of glucose transporters in the mammary gland seems not to be affected by a shortage of glucose, while enzymes and milk constituents directly depending on glucose as a substrate are immediately downregulated. During LPS‐induced mastitis in combination with hypoglycaemia, mammary gland metabolism was more aligned to save glucose for the immune system compared to a situation without limited glucose availability during EuG.     

Molecular characterisation of carbohydrate digestion and absorption in equine small intestine

Dietary carbohydrates, when digested and absorbed in the small intestine of the horse, provide a substantial fraction of metabolisable energy. However, if levels in diets exceed the capacity of the equine small intestine to digest and absorb them, they reach the hindgut, cause alterations in microbial populations and the metabolite products and predispose the horse to gastrointestinal diseases. We set out to determine, at the molecular level, the mechanisms, properties and the site of expression of carbohydrate digestive and absorptive functions of the equine small intestinal brush-border membrane. We have demonstrated that the disaccharidases sucrase, lactase and maltase are expressed diversely along the length of the intestine and D-glucose is transported across the equine intestinal brush-border membrane by a high affinity, low capacity, Na+/glucose cotransporter type 1 isoform (SGLT1). The highest rate of transport is in duodenum > jejunum > ileum. We have cloned and sequenced the cDNA encoding equine SGLT1 and alignment with SGLT1 of other species indicates 85-89% homology at the nucleotide and 84-87% identity at the amino acid levels. We have shown that there is a good correlation between levels of functional SGLT1 protein and SGLT1 mRNA abundance along the length of the small intestine. This indicates that the major site of glucose absorption in horses maintained on conventional grass-based diets is in the proximal intestine, and the expression of equine intestinal SGLT1 along the proximal to distal axis of the intestine is regulated at the level of mRNA abundance. The data presented in this paper are the first to provide information on the capacity of the equine intestine to digest and absorb soluble carbohydrates and has implications for a better feed management, pharmaceutical intervention and for dietary supplementation in horses following intestinal resection.     

鸡肠道SGLT1和GLUT2 mRNA表达的组织特异性研究

运用相对定量RT-PCR方法，研究不同肠段Arbor Acre（AA）肉鸡肠道葡萄糖吸收转运主要载体SGLT1和GLUT2mRNA表达的组织特异性。结果发现。随着肠道空间位置的后移，SGLT1 mRNA的表达量逐步降低。十二指肠SGLT1 mRNA的丰度比结直肠高76．19Vo，差异极显著（P〈0．01）；而空肠和回肠SGLT1 mRNA的表达量分别比结直肠高42．86％和38．10％，差异不显著（P〉0．05），但有提高的趋势（P值分别为0．06和0．07）。十二指肠与空肠和回肠相比，SGLTlmRNA的表达量虽然分别高23．33％和27．59％，但差异不显著（P值分别为0．18和0．10）。相对定量分析表明，十二指肠和空肠GLUT2 mRNA丰度非常接近，差异不显著（P〉0．05）。定性研究显示，十二指肠与空肠GLUT2 mRNA丰度高于回肠和结直肠。鸡肠道SGLT1和GLUT2 mRNA表达的组织特异性之生理功能，有待于进一步研究。     

Both butyrate incubation and hypoxia upregulate genes involved in the ruminal transport of SCFA and their metabolites

Butyrate modulates the differentiation, proliferation and gene expression profiles of various cell types. Ruminal epithelium is exposed to a high intraluminal concentration and inflow of n‐butyrate. We aimed to investigate the influence of n‐butyrate on the mRNA expression of proteins involved in the transmembranal transfer of n‐butyrate metabolites and short‐chain fatty acids in ruminal epithelium. N‐butyrate‐induced changes were compared with the effects of hypoxia because metabolite accumulation after O₂ depletion is at least partly comparable to the accumulation of metabolites after n‐butyrate exposure. Furthermore, in various tissues, O₂ depletion modulates the expression of transport proteins that are also involved in the extrusion of metabolites derived from n‐butyrate breakdown in ruminal epithelium. Sheep ruminal epithelia mounted in Ussing chambers were exposed to 50 mM n‐butyrate or incubated under hypoxic conditions for 6 h. Electrophysiological measurements showed hypoxia‐induced damage in the epithelia. The mRNA expression levels of monocarboxylate transporters (MCT) 1 and 4, anion exchanger (AE) 2, downregulated in adenoma (DRA), putative anion transporter (PAT) 1 and glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 were assessed by RT‐qPCR. We also examined the mRNA expression of nuclear factor (NF) κB, cyclooxygenase (COX) 2, hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) 1α and acyl‐CoA oxidase (ACO) to elucidate the possible signalling pathways involved in the modulation of gene expression. The mRNA expression levels of MCT 1, MCT 4, GLUT 1, HIF 1α and COX 2 were upregulated after both n‐butyrate exposure and hypoxia. ACO and PAT 1 were upregulated only after n‐butyrate incubation. Upregulation of both MCT isoforms and NFκB after n‐butyrate incubation could be detected on protein level as well. Our study suggests key roles for MCT 1 and 4 in the adaptation to an increased intracellular load of metabolites, whereas an involvement of PAT 1 in the transport of n‐butyrate also seems possible.     

Growth performance,carcass traits and digestive function of broiler chickens fed diets with graded levels of corn resistant starch

ABSTRACT

1. This study was conducted to assess the effects of graded levels of dietary corn resistant starch (RS) on growth performance, carcass traits, nutrient retention, digestive organ index, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and mRNA expression of certain nutrient transporters in broiler chickens.

2. A total of 320, 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments, with eight replicates of eight birds in each. These treatments included one corn-soybean control diet, a corn-soybean based diet containing 20% corn starch, and three diets supplemented with 4%, 8% and 12% RS by replacing corn starch with 6.67%, 13.33% and 20% of Hi-Maize 260® (identified as control, RS1, RS2, RS3 and RS4, respectively). The feeding period lasted 42 days.

3. Performance parameters including feed consumption, feed conversion, body weight gain and percentage of abdominal fat at d 42 of age, nutrient retention (including dry matter, fat, total starch and nitrogen free extract), and apparent metabolisable energy was measured from d 18 to 20 and d 39 to 41 and showed negative linear responses to increasing dietary RS level (P < 0.05). Birds fed the RS3 and RS4 diets showed higher relative weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum, as well as lower villus height and villus height/crypt depth compared to the control (P < 0.05). The activity of pancreatic trypsin of birds at d 21 and 42 of age decreased linearly in response to the increase of dietary RS level (P < 0.01). There were linear changes in up-regulated mRNA expression of SGLT-1 and down-regulated mRNA expression of GLUT-2 with increasing proportion of RS at d 21 and 42 of age (P < 0.05), respectively.

4. It was concluded that feeding broilers with diets containing higher concentrations of RS impaired the development of small intestine, which resulted in lower apparent total tract retention of nutrients and poorer body weight gain, feed efficiency and carcass traits of broiler chickens.     

Adenosine protects Sprague Dawley rats from high‐fat diet and repeated acute restraint stress‐induced intestinal inflammation and altered expression of nutrient transporters

This study investigated the effect of repeated acute restraint stress and high‐fat diet (HFD) on intestinal expression of nutrient transporters, concomitant to intestinal inflammation. The ability of adenosine to reverse any change was examined. Six‐week‐old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into eight groups: control or non‐stressed (C), rats exposed to restraint stress for 6 h per day for 14 days (S), control rats fed with HFD (CHF) and restraint‐stressed rats fed with HFD (SHF); four additional groups received the same treatments and were also given 50 mg/l adenosine dissolved in drinking water. Fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, adiponectin and corticosterone were measured. Intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α was analysed. Histological evaluation was conducted to observe for morphological and anatomical changes in the intestinal tissues. Results showed that HFD feeding increased glucose and insulin levels, and repeated acute restraint stress raised the corticosterone level by 22%. Exposure to both stress and HFD caused a further increase in corticosterone to 41%, while decreasing plasma adiponectin level. Restraint stress altered intestinal expression of SLC5A1, SLC2A2 and NPC1L1. These changes were enhanced in SHF rats. Adenosine was found to alleviate HFD‐induced increase in glucose and insulin levels, suppress elevation of corticosterone in S rats and improve the altered nutrient transporters expression profiles. It also prevented upregulation of TNF‐α in the intestine of SHF rats. In summary, a combination of stress and HFD exaggerated stress‐ and HFD‐induced pathophysiological changes in the intestine, and biochemical parameters related to obesity. Adenosine attenuated the elevation of corticosterone and altered expression of SLC5A1, NPC1L1 and TNF‐α.     

Effect of a potential probiotics Lactococcus garvieae B301 on the growth performance,immune parameters and caecum microflora of broiler chickens

In this study, a novel Lactococcus garvieae B301 was isolated from the intestinal tract of a healthy piglet. L. garvieae B301 was tolerant to acid pH, simulated gastric and small intestinal transit juices, indicating that it was capable of surviving in the gastrointestinal tract. L. garvieae B301 was safe and beneficial to broilers, as broiler chickens supplemented with L. garvieae B301 had lower diarrhoea incidence and mortality than the Control. Moreover, supplementation of broiler diets with L. garvieae B301 resulted in an increase in body weight and the number of caecum lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium spp., and decrease in feed‐to‐gain ratio and the number of caecum coliforms. It also had a positive effect on the thymus index and bursa of Fabricius index and enhanced serum levels of immune globulins. All these results showed that L. garvieae B301 could enhance the growth performance of broiler chickens and improve their health. Thus, L. garvieae B301 could be a promising feed additive for broiler chickens.     

Effect of Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials on Eimeria maxima infection in broiler chickens

The effect of dietary Bacillus-based direct-fed microbials (DFMs; eight single strains designated as Bs2084, LSSAO1, 3AP4, Bs18, 15AP4, 22CP1, Bs27, and Bs278, and one multiple-strain DFM product [AVICORR™]) on growth performance, intestinal lesions, and innate and acquired immunities were evaluated in broiler chickens following Eimeria maxima (EM) infection. EM-induced reduction of body weight gain and intestinal lesions were significantly decreased by addition of 15AP4 or Bs27 into broiler diets compared with EM-infected control birds. Serum nitric oxide levels were increased in infected chickens fed with Bs27, but lowered in those given Bs2084, LSSAO1, 3AP4 or 15AP4 compared with the infected controls. Recombinant coccidial antigen (3-1E)-stimulated spleen cell proliferation was increased in chickens given Bs27, 15AP4, LSSAO1, 3AP4, or Bs18, compared with the infected controls. Finally, all experimental diets increased concanavalin A-induced splenocyte mitogenesis in infected broilers compared with the nonsupplemented and infected controls. In summary, dietary Bacillus subtilis-based DFMs reduced the clinical signs of experimental avian coccidiosis and increased various parameters of immunity in broiler chickens in a strain-dependent manner.     

LPS-induced inflammation downregulates mammary gland glucose, fatty acid, and l-carnitine transporter expression at different lactation stages

Glucose, fatty acids, and l-carnitine are important substrates that support mammary epithelial cell metabolism, biosynthetic capacity, and milk yield and composition. Our study investigated the effects of LPS-induced inflammation on the expression of several glucose, fatty acid, and l-carnitine transporters in the lactating rat mammary gland at different lactation stages. Day 4, 11, and 18 lactating rats (n = 3/treatment) were administered LPS (1 mg/kg) or saline by intraperitoneal (IP) injection. Fold differences in the mRNA expression of glucose transporters Glut1, Glut8 and Sglt1, fatty acid transporters Fatp1, Fatp4 and Fabp3, and l-carnitine transporters Octn1, Octn2, and Octn3 were determined using the Comparative C_T method. The mRNA expression levels of all transporters evaluated, except Fatp4 and Octn2 were markedly higher in mammary gland at lactation day 11 compared to lactation day 4. LPS caused a marked decrease in transporter mRNA expression at each lactation stage except for Octn3 and Fatp1, which were markedly increased with LPS administration at lactation day 4, and Sglt1, which was slightly increased at day 11 of lactation. Our results suggest LPS-induced inflammation generally downregulates glucose, fatty acid, and l-carnitine transporter expression. Whether such changes lead to reductions in transporter substrate availability to the lactating mammary epithelial cell requires investigation since decreases in the availability of these nutrients may significantly impact mammary epithelial function and milk quality and yield.