Villus height and crypt depth in weaned and unweaned pigs, reared under various circumstances in The Netherlands

Effects of a Combined Chinese Herbal Medicine on Growth Performance, Intestinal Barrier Function, Immune Response, and Cecal Microflora in Broilers Infected with Salmonella enteritidis

This study investigated the effects of CCHM in drinking water on broilers infected with Salmonella enteritidis. One-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers (n = 300) were randomly assigned to five groups: a control (NC) group, a Salmonella enteritidis challenge (SE) group, an antibiotic (AB) group, a low dose of CCHM (CL) group, and a high dose of CCHM (CH) group. Each group had six replicate cages with ten broilers per cage. The broilers in the NC and SE groups were given normal drinking water. From days 12 to 18, the AB group received water treated with ciprofloxacin lactate injection (1 mL/L), while the CL and CH groups received water containing CCHM at doses of 5 mL/L and 10 mL/L, respectively. Broilers in all groups except the NC group were orally given Salmonella enteritidis daily from days 9 to 11. The experimental period was 28 days. The results showed that, compared with the SE group, the CL and CH groups showed improved growth performance; increased immune organ indices, expressions of ileal occludin and ZO-1 proteins, jejunal and ileal villus heights (except at day 19), and cecal Lactobacillus counts on days 19 and 28 (p < 0.05); and decreased jejunal and ileal lesion scores, ileal interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (except at day 19), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin 6 (IL-6) (except at day 19), secretory immunoglobulin A (slgA) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) (except at day 19) levels, serum D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase (DAO) (except at day 19) contents, jejunal and ileal crypt depths (except at day 19), and cecal Salmonella and Escherichia coli counts on days 19 and 28 (p < 0.05). On day 28, except for the levels of ileal interleukin 10 (IL-10), TNF-α, slgA, and serum D-lactic acid content, there were no differences among the NC, AB, and CL groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, drinking water supplemented with CCHM alleviated the intestinal damage caused by Salmonella enteritidis infection and improved growth performance and cecal microbiota in broilers. The optimal addition rate of CCHM was 5 mL/L.

Addition of Spray-Dried Plasma in Phase 2 Diets for Weanling Pigs Improves Growth Performance, Reduces Diarrhea Incidence, and Decreases Mucosal Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines

The hypothesis that pigs fed a low crude protein (CP) diet with 6% spray-dried plasma (SDP) in phase 1 will have improved growth and intestinal health if the phase-2 diet contains 2.5% SDP was tested. Three hundred weaned pigs were used. Growth performance, feces, blood, and intestinal tissue were evaluated. Pigs fed 6% SDP in phase 1 had improved average daily gain (ADG) and final body weight (BW), but had reduced villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio in phase 2 if 2.5% SDP was included in the normal-CP diet (p < 0.05), but not in the low-CP diet. Diarrhea incidence was less (p < 0.05) with 2.5% SDP in the phase 2 diet and for the low-CP diet. Ileal mucosa interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-1β decreased (p < 0.05) for pigs fed the phase-1 diet with 6% SDP compared with pigs fed the diet without SDP. Addition of 2.5% SDP in phase 2 reduced (p < 0.05) IL-1β compared with the diet without SDP. Although the combination of SDP and low CP did not affect intestinal health in phase 2, diarrhea incidence and pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced in pigs fed SDP in phase 1 or phase 2 or if a low-CP diet was fed.

Effect of emulsifier on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, faecal microbiology and blood biochemistry of broiler chickens fed low-energy diets

BACKGROUND

This study hypothesizes that a natural multicomponent emulsifier (Lipidol) could improve production performance in broiler chickens by aiding lipid digestion and addressing digestive system limitations.

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary emulsifier inclusion on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, faecal microbiology, blood biochemistry and liver enzyme activities of broiler chickens fed low-energy diets.

METHODS

The experiment involved 144 one-day-old male broiler chickens split into 4 treatments. Four diets were used: standard metabolizable energy (ME) as a control diet and three low-ME diets, reducing by 100 kcal/kg by adding 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of exogenous emulsifier (Em).

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed in body weight gain and feed intake. However, during the finisher period (25-42 days), supplementation emulsifier to low-ME diets notably improved feed efficiency. Although crude protein, organic matter and ash digestibility remained unaffected, dry matter (DM) digestibility significantly increased in broilers fed low-ME diets with emulsifier. Broilers receiving 0.5 g/kg of emulsifier showed the highest villus width and surface area values. Moreover, including 1.5 g/kg of emulsifier led to the highest villus height to crypt depth ratio. Faecal microbiota, blood biochemistry and liver enzyme activities showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Emulsifier supplementation compensated for the energy reduction and enhanced performance, DM digestibility and some intestinal morphology parameters in broiler chickens fed low-ME diet. Using 0.5 g/kg of emulsifier per 100 kcal of ME reduction in broiler diets is suggested.

Dietary seaweed (Saccharina latissima) supplementation in pigs induces localized immunomodulatory effects and minor gut microbiota changes during intestinal helminth infection

Brown seaweeds have a rich bioactive content known to modulate biological processes, including the mucosal immune response and microbiota function, and may therefore have the potential to control enteric pathogens. Here, we tested if dietary seaweed (Saccharina latissima) supplementation could modulate pig gut health with a specific focus on parasitic helminth burdens, gut microbiota composition, and host immune response during a five week feeding period in pigs co-infected with the helminths Ascaris suum and Oesophagostomum dentatum. We found that inclusion of fermented S. latissima (Fer-SL) at 8% of the diet increased gut microbiota α-diversity with higher relative abundances of Firmicutes, Tenericutes, Verrucomicrobia, Spirochaetes and Elusimicrobia, and lower abundance of Prevotella copri. In the absence of helminth infection, transcription of immune-related genes in the intestine was only moderately influenced by dietary seaweed. However, Fer-SL modulated the transcriptional response to infection in a site-specific manner in the gut, with an attenuation of infection-induced gene expression in the jejunum and an amplification of gene expression in the colon. Effects on systemic immune parameters (e.g. blood lymphocyte populations) were limited, indicating the effects of Fer-SL were mainly localized to the intestinal tissues. Despite previously documented in vitro anti-parasitic activity against pig helminths, Fer-SL inclusion did not significantly affect parasite egg excretion or worm establishment. Collectively, our results show that although Fer-SL inclusion did not reduce parasite burdens, it may modify the gut environment during enteric parasite infection, which encourages continued investigations into the use of seaweeds or related products as novel tools to improve gut health.

L-arabinose Attenuates LPS-Induced Intestinal Inflammation and Injury through Reduced M1 Macrophage Polarization

BACKGROUND

L-arabinose has anti-inflammatory and metabolism-promoting properties, and macrophages participate in the alleviation of inflammation; however, the mechanism by which they contribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of L-arabinose is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the involvement of macrophages in the mitigation of L-arabinose in an intestinal inflammation model induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODS

Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 3 groups: a control and an LPS group that both received normal water supplementation, and an L-arabinose (ARA+LPS) group that received 5% L-arabinose supplementation. Mice in the LPS and ARA+LPS groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (10 mg/kg body weight), whereas the control group was intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of saline. Intestinal morphology, cytokines, tight junction proteins, macrophage phenotypes, and microbial communities were profiled at 6 h postinjection.

RESULTS

L-arabinose alleviated LPS-induced damage to intestinal morphology. L-arabinose down-regulated serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and toll-like receptor-4 in jejunum and colon compared with those of the LPS group (P < 0.05). The mRNA and protein levels of occludin and claudin-1 were significantly increased by L-arabinose (P < 0.05). Interferon regulatory factor-5 (IRF-5) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1), key genes characterized by M1 macrophages, were elevated in the jejunum and colon of LPS mice (P < 0.05) but decreased in the ARA+LPS mice (P < 0.05). In vitro, L-arabinose decreased the proportion of M1 macrophages and inhibited mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, as well as IRF-5 and STAT-1 (P < 0.01). Moreover, L-arabinose restored the abundance of norank_f__Muribaculaceae, Faecalibaculum, Dubosiella, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, and Paraasutterella compared with those of LPS (P < 0.05) and increased the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The anti-inflammatory effects of L-arabinose are achieved by reducing M1 macrophage polarization, suggesting that L-arabinose could be a candidate functional food or nutritional strategy for intestinal inflammation and injury.

Immunomodulatory Effects of Microcin C7 in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

Microcin C7 (McC) as a viable immunomodulator peptide can be a potential solution for pathogenic microbial infection in the post-antibiotic era and has gained substantial attention. This study was designed to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of Microcin C7 in a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunodeficient mouse model. We show that Microcin C7 treatment significantly alleviated the CTX-caused body weight loss, improved the feed and water consumption to improve the state of the mice, and elevated the absolute number and proportion of peripheral blood lymphocytes as well as the level of hemoglobulin. We further aim to characterize the phenotypes of the immune function and intestinal health profiles. The results demonstrate that Microcin C7 treatment increased serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgG, interleukin 6, and hemolysin, promoted splenic lymphocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A and LPS, and enhanced the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages immunized by sheep red blood cells. Additionally, Microcin C7 treatment decreased levels of diamine oxidase and d-lactate, ameliorated CTX-induced intestinal morphological damage, and increased the levels of zonula occluden 1, occludin, claudin-1, mucin 2, and secretary IgA in the jejunum and colon. Moreover, Microcin C7 administration is sufficient to reverse CTX-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by increasing the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, decreasing the number of Escherichia coli in colonic contents. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Microcin C7 may have protective and immunomodulatory functions and could be a potential candidate used in animal feed, functional foods, and immunological regimens..

Exploring the Benefits of Probiotics in Gut Inflammation and Diarrhea-From an Antioxidant Perspective

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by an abnormal immune response, includes two distinct types: Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Extensive research has revealed that the pathogeny of IBD encompasses genetic factors, environmental factors, immune dysfunction, dysbiosis, and lifestyle choices. Furthermore, patients with IBD exhibit both local and systemic oxidative damage caused by the excessive presence of reactive oxygen species. This oxidative damage exacerbates immune response imbalances, intestinal mucosal damage, and dysbiosis in IBD patients. Meanwhile, the weaning period represents a crucial phase for pigs, during which they experience pronounced intestinal immune and inflammatory responses, leading to severe diarrhea and increased mortality rates. Pigs are highly similar to humans in terms of physiology and anatomy, making them a potential choice for simulating human IBD. Although the exact mechanism behind IBD and post-weaning diarrhea remains unclear, the oxidative damage, in its progression and pathogenesis, is well acknowledged. Besides conventional anti-inflammatory drugs, certain probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains, have been found to possess antioxidant properties. These include the scavenging of reactive oxygen species, chelating metal ions to inhibit the Fenton reaction, and the regulation of host antioxidant enzymes. Consequently, numerous studies in the last two decades have committed to exploring the role of probiotics in alleviating IBD. Here, we sequentially discuss the oxidative damage in IBD and post-weaning diarrhea pathogenesis, the negative consequences of oxidative stress on IBD, the effectiveness of probiotics in IBD treatment, the application of probiotics in weaned piglets, and the potential antioxidant mechanisms of probiotics.

Reducing Weaning Stress in Piglets by Pre-Weaning Socialization and Gradual Separation from the Sow: A Review

The weaning of pigs in most commercial pork production systems is an abrupt event performed at a fairly young age, i.e., mostly between 2.5 and 5 weeks of age. This practice induces a stress response, and its impact on behavior, performance and the gastrointestinal tract has been well described. Historically, there has been a focus on pre- and post-weaning nutritional strategies and post-weaning housing conditions and medication to improve production and reduce mortality after weaning. However, alternative pre-weaning housing and management systems that promote the development of natural social behaviors of piglets before weaning have recently received more attention. Co-mingling of non-littermates before weaning is a strategy that aims to initiate social interactions prior to weaning. The separation of the litter from the sow in the period leading up to weaning, termed intermittent suckling, aims to enhance the gradual separation from the sow. In addition, these practices encourage the young pig to learn explorative nutrient sourcing. Altogether, they may reduce weaning-associated stress. In this review, these strategies are defined, and their effects on behavior, performance, mortality, gastrointestinal function and immunocompetence are described. Though these strategies may be adapted to a commercial setting, it also becomes clear that many factors can contribute to the success of these strategies.

Dietary supplementation with a microencapsulated complex of thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde improves intestinal barrier function in weaning piglets

BACKGROUND

The authors previously prepared a microencapsulated complex of thymol, carvacrol, and cinnamaldehyde (MEEO). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MEEO on the intestinal mucosal barrier and homeostasis in weaning piglets. A comparison of the effect of MEEO versus chlortetracycline (CTC) was performed in this study.

RESULTS

Piglets were divided into three groups - control (Con), MEEO, and CTC groups - and raised for 28 days. The results showed that MEEO significantly elevated the ratio of the villus height and the crypt depth in the jejunum and decreased the crypt depth in the ileum compared with the other groups (P < 0.05); it also upregulated the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of tight junction protein in the small intestine. Compared with the Con group, MEEO increased the concentration of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), cathelicidin antimicrobial peptides (CAMP), and interleukin 10 (IL-10), while decreasing the interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) concentration in both jejunal and ileal mucosa (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of jejunal mucosal MUC1 and ileal mucosal MUC2 was increased in the MEEO group compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Intestinal microbial analysis showed that dietary treatment had little impact on the ileal microbial structure. A significant rise in the genus Lactobacillus was, however, found in the MEEO group. There is a positive correlation between the Lactobacillus and sIgA, and between the Lactobacillus and CAMP, indicating that an improvement in the mucosal barrier function by the addition of MEEO may be associated with the proliferation of Lactobacillus.

CONCLUSION

Dietary supplementation with MEEO improves intestinal barrier function in weaning piglets, the effect of which was superior to CTC. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of yeast culture supplementation in sows during late gestation and lactation on growth performance, antioxidant properties, and intestinal microorganisms of offspring weaned piglets

Introduction

The effects of maternal addition of yeast cultures on offspring gut development and intestinal microorganisms are not yet known, so the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal addition of yeast cultures to the diet of sows during late gestation and lactation on growth performance, antioxidant properties and intestinal microorganisms of offspring weaned piglets.

Methods

40 Landrace × Yorkshire sows (3-7 of parity) with similar backfat were randomly divided into two treatment groups: control diet (CON) and control diet +2.0 g/kg yeast culture (XPC), and the trial started on day 90 of gestation and ended on day 21 of lactation.

Results

The results showed that maternal addition of yeast culture significantly increased weaned piglet weight and mean daily gain (p < 0.05), with a tendency to increase litter weight gain (p = 0.083) and liver weight (p = 0.076) compared to the control group. The content of thymus malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) and the content of colon total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the offspring weaned piglets of the XPC group compared to the control group. The expression of thymus SOD1 and SOD2, spleen SOD1, jejunum SOD2, and colon GPX1, SOD1, and SOD2 were significantly downregulated in the XPC group of offspring weaned piglets compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The intestinal morphology and the content of short-chain fatty acids in colonic chyme did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the XPC group significantly increased the relative abundance of colonic chyme Bacteroidetes (p < 0.05), tended to decrease the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (p = 0.078), and tended to increase the relative abundance of Alloprevotella (p = 0.055). The XPC group significantly upregulated Blautia and Fournierella (p < 0.05) and significantly downregulated Candidatus_Competibacter, Nitrospira, Dechloromonas, Haliangium, and Oscillospira (p < 0.05).

Discussion

In conclusion, maternal addition of yeast cultures improved the growth performance of offspring weaned piglets and changed the intestinal microbial community, but did not improve their antioxidant performance.

Comparison between Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and LuxS-deficient strain in regulating gut barrier function and inflammation in early-weaned piglets

Background

Early weaning-induced stress impairs the intestinal barrier function and adversely affects the health of piglet. Probiotics can be used to prevent and treat various intestinal diseases. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) has an LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system that senses environmental changes through chemical signaling molecules. The aim of the study was to explore whether luxS mutant affects the protective role of LGG in the gut barrier of weaned piglets by comparing the luxS mutant (ΔluxS) with its wild-type (WT).

Methods

Newborn piglets were orally administered with WT and ΔluxS at dosage of 10⁹ CFU, respectively. Accordingly, newborn piglets in the Con group were orally administered with PBS. Piglets were weaned on day 21 and euthanized on day 24, three days following weaning.

Results

Supplementation of ΔluxS in advance significantly boosted the relative abundances of healthy microbes (including Catenibacterium, Eubacterium, Lachnospiraceae and Bifidobacterium). WT and ΔluxS maintain intestinal barrier function mainly by promoting intestinal villus to crypt ratio (VCR), occludin protein expression and mucus secretion (P<0.05). Furthermore, LGG reduces pro-inflammatory mediators by inhibiting TLR4 and MAPK signal transduction (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Both WT and ΔluxS were shown to resist weaning stress by enhancing the intestinal barrier function of piglets. It has to be said that the ability of ΔluxS to maintain intestinal tissue morphology and promote mucus secretion significantly decreased compared with that of WT.

Fate of undigested proteins in the pig large intestine: What impact on the colon epithelium?

Apart from its obvious agronomic interest in feeding billions of people worldwide, the porcine species represents an irreplaceable experimental model for intestinal physiologists and nutritionists. In this review, we give an overview on the fate of proteins that are not fully digested in the pig small intestine, and thus are transferred into the large intestine. In the large intestine, dietary and endogenous proteins are converted to peptides and amino acids (AA) by the action of bacterial proteases and peptidases. AA, which cannot, except in the neonatal period, be absorbed to any significant level by the colonocytes, are used by the intestinal microbes for protein synthesis and for the production of numerous metabolites. Of note, the production of the AA-derived metabolites greatly depends on the amount of undigested polysaccharides in the pig's diet. The effects of these AA-derived bacterial metabolites on the pig colonic epithelium have not yet been largely studied. However, the available data, performed on colonic mucosa, isolated colonic crypts and colonocytes, indicate that some of them, like ammonia, butyrate, acetate, hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and p-cresol are active either directly or indirectly on energy metabolism in colonic epithelial cells. Further studies in that area will certainly gain from the utilization of the pig colonic organoid model, which allows for disposal of functional epithelial unities. Such studies will contribute to a better understanding of the potential causal links between diet-induced changes in the luminal concentrations of these AA-derived bacterial metabolites and effects on the colon epithelial barrier function and water/electrolyte absorption.

Frequent Occurrence of Simultaneous Infection with Multiple Rotaviruses in Swiss Pigs

Rotavirus (RV) infections are the most important viral cause of diarrhea in piglets in Switzerland and are thought to cause substantial economic losses to the pig industry. However, no data are available on the occurrence and dynamics of the main porcine RV species, namely RVA, RVB, and RVC, and the diversity of the circulating strains. We therefore tested fecal samples from a cross-sectional (n = 95) and a longitudinal (n = 48) study for RVA, RVB, and RVC by real-time RT-PCR and compared the results of the cross-sectional study to postmortem findings. In addition, eight samples were fully genotyped by using next-generation sequencing. In the cross-sectional study, triple RV infections significantly correlated with diarrhea and wasting and were most frequent in the weaned age group. In the longitudinal study, the shedding of RV peaked one week after weaning and decreased thereafter. Here, mainly double infections were seen, and only a few animals showed diarrhea. The full-genome sequencing revealed a genotype pattern similar to other European countries and, importantly, co-infection by up to four RVA strains. Our results imply that the weaning of piglets may trigger not only RV shedding but facilitate co-infection of multiple RV species and strains in the same host.

Effect of Dietary Zinc Methionine Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune Function and Intestinal Health of Cherry Valley Ducks Challenged With Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of supplemental zinc methionine (Zn-Met) on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal health of meat ducks challenged with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC). A total of 480 1-day-old Cherry Valley male ducks were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 10 replicates, each replicate containing 10 ducks. A 4 × 2 factor design was used with four dietary zinc levels (0, 30, 60, 120 mg Zn/kg in the form Zn-Met was added to the corn-soybean basal diet) and challenged with or without APEC at 8-days-old ducks. The trial lasted for 14 days. The results showed that a dietary Zn-Met supplementation significantly increased body weight (BW) of 14 days and BW gain, and decreased mortality during 7-14-days-old ducks (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary 30, 60, 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation noticeably increased the thymus index at 2 days post-infection (2 DPI) and 8 DPI (p < 0.05), and 120 mg/kg Zn-Met enhanced the serum IgA at 2 DPI and IgA, IgG, IgM, C3 at 8 DPI (p < 0.05). In addition, dietary 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation dramatically increased villus height and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) of jejunum at 2 DPI and 8 DPI (p < 0.05). The TNF-α and IFN-γ mRNA expression were downregulated after supplemented with 120 mg/kg Zn-Met in jejunum at 8 DPI (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary 120 mg/kg Zn-Met supplementation stimulated ZO-3, OCLN mRNA expression at 2 DPI and ZO-2 mRNA expression in jejunum at 8 DPI (p < 0.05), and improved the MUC2 concentration in jejunum at 2 DPI and 8 DPI (p < 0.05). At the same time, the cecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus counts were increased (p < 0.05), and Escherichia coli counts were decreased (p < 0.05) after supplemented with Zn-Met. In conclusion, inclusion of 120 mg/kg Zn-Met minimizes the adverse effects of APEC challenge on meat ducks by improving growth performance and enhancing immune function and intestinal health.

Comparative chronic toxicities of PFOS and its novel alternatives on the immune system associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in adult zebrafish

6:2 Chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (F-53B) and sodium p-perfluorous nonenoxybenzene sulfonate (OBS) are widely used as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) alternatives in the Chinese market. Here, adult zebrafish were chronically exposed to 1 μM PFOS, F-53B, and OBS for 21 days to investigate the comparative immunotoxicity of these three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFOS induced more severe oxidative stress in the liver than F-53B and OBS, and these three PFAS induced similar anti-inflammatory effects by repressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The intestinal microbiota analysis showed that the relative abundance of Plesiomonas, Aeromonas, Cetobacterium, Shewanella, and Vibrio changed with the same trend in the three PFAS treatment groups. Furthermore, the PFAS increased the expression of hepcidin, muc, the immune-related genes mpo and saa, and decreased the expression of the tight junction-related gene occ in the intestine; moreover, villus height of the intestine was reduced after PFAS exposure, which indicated the functional disruption of the intestine. In particular, the significant correlation between the changed intestinal microbiota and liver and intestinal indicators also suggested the interaction between the immune system and intestinal microbiota. Taken together, our results indicate that exposure to PFOS and its alternatives F-53B and OBS can induce hepatic immunotoxicity associated with intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in adult zebrafish.

Effects of red-osier dogwood extracts on growth performance, intestinal digestive and absorptive functions, and meat quality of broiler chickens

A total of 320 one-day-old Cobb 500 chicks with an initial weight of 48.3 ± 3.3 g·pen−1 were assigned to four dietary treatments with eight replicates provided in three phases for 46 d. The treatments were fed as mash diets and included (1) negative control (NC) corn-soybean basal diet, (2) positive control (PC) basal diet with 30 ppm avilamycin, (3) basal diet supplemented with 1000 ppm red-osier dogwood extracts (RDE1), and (4) basal diet with 3000 ppm red-osier dogwood extracts (RDE2). Results showed reduced jejunal crypt depth in RDE1 and increased villus:crypt ratio in groups (either RDE1 or RDE2) (P < 0.05). Cationic amino acid (AA) transporter mRNA abundance was decreased (P < 0.05) in RDE1, RDE2, and PC treatments, but peptide and neutral AA transporter mRNA abundance were higher (P < 0.05) in RDE2 compared with NC. Apparent ileal digestibility of crude fat was increased in RDE2 and PC compared with NC, whereas AA digestibility was greater in RDE1, RDE2, and PC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, red-osier dogwood had no effect on growth performance, improved the intestinal health and function of broiler chickens, and had no detrimental effects on meat quality.

Encapsulated Mixture of Methyl Salicylate and Tributyrin Modulates Intestinal Microbiota and Improves Growth Performance of Weaned Piglets

Tributyrin and essential oils have been used as alternatives to antimicrobials to improve gut health and growth performance in piglets. This study was to evaluate the effects of a dietary supplement with two encapsulated products containing different combinations of tributyrin with oregano or with methyl salicylate on growth performance, serum biochemical parameters related to the physiological status, intestinal microbiota and metabolites of piglets. A total of 108 weaned crossbred piglets (Yorkshire × Landrace, 21 ± 1 d, 8.21 ± 0.04 kg) were randomly divided into three groups. Piglets were fed with one of the following diets for 5 weeks: a basal diet as the control (CON); the control diet supplemented with an encapsulated mixture containing 30% of methyl salicylate and tributyrin at a dosage of 3 kg/t (CMT); and the control diet supplemented with an encapsulated mixture containing 30% of oregano oil and tributyrin at a dosage of 3 kg/t (COT). At the end of the feeding trial, six piglets from each group were slaughtered to collect blood and gut samples for physiological status and gut microbiological analysis. The study found that the CMT group was larger in feed intake (FI) (p < 0.05), average daily gain (ADG) (p = 0.09), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) (p < 0.05), blood total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p < 0.05), and crypt depth in the ileum (p < 0.05) compared with the CON group. The genus abundance of Tissierella and Campylobacter in the CMT group was significantly decreased compared with the CON group. The CMT group also resulted in significantly higher activity in amino acid metabolism and arginine biosynthesis compared with the CON group. The COT group was larger in T-AOC, and the genus abundance of Streptophyta and Chlamydia was significantly increased in the ileum compared with the CON group. Data analysis found a significantly high correlation between the genus abundance of Chlamydia and that of Campylobacter in the ileum. The genus abundance of Campylobacter was also positively correlated with the sorbitol level. In general, the results indicated that the supplementation of both encapsulated mixtures in diet of weaned piglets could improve the animal blood antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the encapsulated mixture of methyl salicylate plus tributyrin improved the growth performance and resulted in certain corresponding changes in nutrient metabolism and in the genus abundance of ileum microbial community.

Expression of Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 and Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 in the Gut of the Peri-Weaning Pig Is Strongly Dependent on Age and Intestinal Site

Simple Summary

Weaning is a critical event for the piglet, contributing to aberrant gut function and resulting in reduced barrier function and retarded protein digestion. The gut is able to “sense” nutrients and release gut hormones to regulate digestive processes. To that end, various gastrointestinal cell types possess transient receptor potential channels that are involved in regulating gastric motility and secretion. Herbal compounds, currently used in pig nutrition as antibiotic alternatives, are able to activate these channels and could potentially aid digestion. However, these channels have not been characterized in the gut of the pig and their ability to release gut hormones has never been explored. This study’s objective was to characterize TRPA1 and TRPV1 in the pig’s gut and explore their potential to modulate gastric function. A gene expression study was performed on tissues obtained from different locations in the guts of piglets of varying age. Moreover, the ability to secrete peptide hormones was investigated by characterizing them on enteroendocrine cells. Both channels were found to be expressed in the mucosa of the porcine gut, strongly dependent on age and location. Moreover, the endocrine nature of both channels was confirmed, indicating their possible role in gut hormone release and the regulation of gastric emptying.

Abstract

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels contribute to sensory transduction in the body, agonized by a variety of stimuli, such as phytochemicals, and they are predominantly distributed in afferent neurons. Evidence indicates their expression in non-neuronal cells, demonstrating their ability to modulate gastrointestinal function. Targeting TRP channels could potentially be used to regulate gastrointestinal secretion and motility, yet their expression in the pig is unknown. This study investigated TRPA1 and TRPV1 expression in different gut locations of piglets of varying age. Colocalization with enteroendocrine cells was established by immunohistochemistry. Both channels were expressed in the gut mucosa. TRPV1 mRNA abundance increased gradually in the stomach and small intestine with age, most notably in the distal small intestine. In contrast, TRPA1 exhibited sustained expression across ages and locations, with the exception of higher expression in the pylorus at weaning. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the endocrine nature of both channels, showing the highest frequency of colocalization in enteroendocrine cells for TRPA1. Specific co-localization on GLP-1 immunoreactive cells indicated their possible role in GLP-1 release and the concomitant intestinal feedback mechanism. Our results indicate that TRPA1 and TRPV1 could play a role in gut enteroendocrine activity. Moreover, age and location in the gut significantly affected gene expression.

Dietary Bacillus spp. enhanced growth and disease resistance of weaned pigs by modulating intestinal microbiota and systemic immunity

Background

Previous research has shown that dietary supplementation of Bacillus spp. probiotics exerts beneficial effects on animals' growth. However, limited studies have evaluated the efficacy of Bacillus spp. on weaned pigs and their effects on host gut health and microbiome, and systemic immunity using a disease challenge model. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of two Bacillus spp. strains (Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 and Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539) on growth performance, diarrhea, intestinal health, microbiome, and systemic immunity of weaned pigs experimentally infected with an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC).

Results

Pigs in PRO1 (Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540) had greater (P < 0.05) body weight on d 7 and 14 PI, greater (P < 0.05) ADG from d 0 to 7 and d 7 to 14 PI, compared with pigs in CON (Control). Pigs in PRO1 had milder (P < 0.05) diarrhea on d 2 and 3 PI compared with pigs in CON. However, no differences were observed in growth performance and diarrhea score between PRO2 (Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539) and CON groups. Supplementation of PRO1 decreased (P < 0.05) lymphocyte counts on d 7 and 14 PI, compared with CON. Supplementation of PRO1 and PRO2 both reduced (P < 0.05) total coliforms in mesenteric lymph nodes on d 21 PI. Pigs in PRO2 had greater (P < 0.05) goblet cell number and sulfomucin percentage in duodenal villi and greater (P < 0.05) sialomucin percentage in jejunal villi than pigs in CON. Supplementation of PRO1 up-regulated (P < 0.05) MUC2 gene expression in jejunal mucosa and reduced (P < 0.05) PTGS-2 and IL1B gene expression in ileal mucosa on d 21 PI, compared with CON. Pigs in PRO1 had reduced (P < 0.05) relative abundance of families Lachnospiraceae, Peptostreptococcaceae and Pasteurellaceae in the ileum.

Conclusions

Supplementation of Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540 improved growth performance, alleviated diarrhea severity, enhanced gut health, and reduced systemic inflammation of weaned pigs infected with ETEC F18. Although Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539 was able to alleviate systemic inflammation, it had limited impacts on growth performance and severity of diarrhea of ETEC F18 challenged weaned pigs.

Effects of soft pellet creep feed on pre-weaning and post-weaning performance and intestinal development in piglets

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effects of soft pellet creep feed (SPCF) on growth performance and intestinal development in piglets.

Methods

A total of 18 sows and their litters of crossbred piglets (14±2 days, 3.73±0.72 kg) were assigned to one of three dietary groups receiving i) powder creep feed (PCF), ii) hard pellet creep feed (HPCF) or iii) SPCF during the pre-weaning period. After weaning, piglets were selected for continuous evaluation of the three diets on growth performance and intestinal health.

Results

In the pre-weaning period, the average daily feed intake and average daily dry matter intake were significantly higher in the SPCF group than the HPCF group (p<0.05). In the post-weaning and entire experimental period, the different diets had no significant effect on growth performance. At 10 d after weaning, the serum glucose concentration was lower in the SPCF group (p<0.05) than the other groups; a higher (p<0.05) villus height and lower (p<0.05) crypt depth in the jejunum were also observed in the SPCF group than the other groups; Meanwhile, in the duodenum and jejunum, the SPCF group had a higher (p<0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio than the other groups; Furthermore, the higher (p<0.05) threshold cycle values of lactic acid bacteria and lower (p<0.05) threshold cycle values of Clostridium, Enterobacter and Escherichia coli were also observed in the SPCF group, and the sucrase and maltase activity was higher (p<0.05) in the SPCF group than the other groups in duodenum and ileum.

Conclusion

The SPCF improved pre-weaning feed intake and decreased the negative effects of weaning stress in the intestine in piglets.

The impact of porcine spray-dried plasma protein and dried egg protein harvested from hyper-immunized hens, provided in the presence or absence of subtherapeutic levels of antibiotics in the feed, on growth and indicators of intestinal function and physiology of nursery pigs

The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of spray-dried plasma protein (SDPP) and dried egg protein (DEP), without (AB-) or with (AB+) in-feed antibiotics, on growth performance and markers of intestinal health in nursery pigs raised in commercial conditions. This 42-d experiment utilized 1,230 pigs (4.93 ± 0.04 kg body weight; approximately 15-18 d of age). Pigs were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments that were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial of in-feed antibiotics (AB- vs. AB+) and a specialty protein additive (none [CON], porcine SDPP, or DEP). Diets were fed in four phases with phases 3 and 4 as a common diet across all treatments. Specialty protein additives were fed in phases 1 (0-13 d; 3% SDPP, and 0.20% DEP) and 2 (13-26 d; 2% SDPP, and 0.10% DEP). Antibiotics were fed in phases 1-3 (662 mg chlortetracycline [CTC]/kg, 28 mg carbadox/kg, and 441 mg CTC/kg, respectively). Ileal tissue and blood samples were collected from 48 pigs (8 per treatment) on d 20. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (9.4) with pen as the experimental unit; protein additives, antibiotics, and their interaction were fixed effects and block was a random effect. The pigs experienced naturally occurring health challenges in weeks 2 and 4. In the AB- diets, SDPP and DEP increased average daily gain (ADG; P = 0.036) and average daily feed intake (ADFI; P = 0.040) compared to CON; in the AB+ diets, neither SDPP nor DEP increased ADG or ADFI compared to CON but SDPP did increase these parameters over DEP. The SDPP and DEP diets decreased the number of individual medical treatments compared to CON (P = 0.001). The AB+ increased ileal mucosal interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (P = 0.017). Feeding DEP reduced the concentration of mucosal IL-1β compared to CON, but not SDPP (P = 0.022). There was a trend for SDPP and DEP to increase villus height:crypt depth compared to CON (P = 0.066). Neither antibiotics or protein additive affected serum malondialdehyde concentration or ileal mRNA abundance of claudin-3 or 4, occludin, or zonula occludens-1 (P > 0.10). In conclusion, SDPP and DEP improved growth performance of weaned pigs in the absence of antibiotics but neither improved growth compared to CON when feeding standard antibiotic levels. The specialty proteins had a positive effect on health; specialty proteins and antibiotics were able to modulate some markers of intestinal inflammation and morphology.

Supplementing neonatal Jersey calves with a blend of probiotic bacteria improves the pathophysiological response to an oral Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium challenge

The objectives of the current study were to determine the effects of supplementing a blend of probiotic bacteria (Provida Calf, MB Nutritional Sciences, Lubbock, TX) on the pathophysiological response to an oral Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium challenge in neonatal Jersey calves. Twenty-four Jersey bull calves within 24 h of birth were acquired from a local calf ranch, blocked by total serum protein and initial body weight, and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments (n = 8). Calves were assigned to either (1) Control (CON); base milk replacer, (2) Control + Salmonella Typhimurium (CON+ST); base milk replacer and challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium on d 7; or (3) Provida Calf probiotics + Salmonella Typhimurium (PRO+ST); same milk replacer supplemented with a proprietary blend of Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecium strains and challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium on d 7. The PRO+ST calves were supplemented for the first 3 d with 2 × 10¹⁰ cfu/d and then with 2 × 10⁹ cfu/d for the remainder of the study. The CON+ST and PRO+ST calves were each challenged with approximately 5 × 10⁶ cfu of Salmonella Typhimurium (ATCC# 14028), which was a mild challenge that did not cause scours in the calves. Peripheral blood samples were collected on d 0, 7, 10, 14, and 21 and analyzed for hematology; serum was collected and analyzed for haptoglobin, glucose, and urea N. Rectal temperatures were collected daily from d 6 to 21, when all calves were killed, so that persistent colonization of Salmonella Typhimurium and histomorphology of both the duodenum and ileum could be determined. Serum haptoglobin and urea N concentrations were increased among CON+ST on d 10. In contrast, the peak rectal temperature on d 10 in PRO+ST calves was 40.4°C, which was greater than that for CON and CON-ST (38.9°C and 39.7°C, respectively). The neutrophil percentage in peripheral circulation in PRO+ST calves was 55.4%, which was greater than that for CON and CON+ST (34.8 and 41.8%, respectively). Seven of the 8 PRO+ST calves had elevated neutrophil percentages on d 10 compared with d 7, whereas 4 of the 8 CON+ST calves had reduced neutrophil percentages on d 10 compared with d 7. Villus height-to-crypt depth ratios in the duodenum were greater among CON and PRO+ST calves, being 1.38, 0.84, and 1.43 for CON, CON+ST, and PRO+ST, respectively. In the ileum, the PRO+ST calves had greater villus height-to-crypt depth ratios than both the CON and CON+ST calves (1.64, 1.53, and 2.43 for CON, CON+ST, and PRO+ST, respectively). These data indicate that supplementing neonatal calves with the blend of probiotic bacteria used in the current study can influence the pathophysiological response to a mild enteric Salmonella Typhimurium challenge.

Inclusion of the direct-fed microbial Clostridium butyricum in diets for weanling pigs increases growth performance and tends to increase villus height and crypt depth, but does not change intestinal microbial abundance

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that inclusion of the direct fed microbial Clostridium butyricum in diets for weanling pigs will improve growth performance, systemic immune function, microbiota composition, and gut morphology in weaned pigs. A total of 275 newly weaned pigs (20 ± 2 d of age) with an average initial BW of 6.4 ± 0.8 kg were allotted to a randomized complete block design with 11 pens per treatment. Diets included a positive control diet containing Carbadox, a negative control diet without Carbadox, and three treatment diets in which 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg, 2,500 × 108 cfu/kg, or 3,500 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum was added to the negative control diet. A two-phase feeding program was used (phase 1, 14 d; phase 2, 21 d). At the conclusion of the experiment (day 35), a blood sample was collected from one pig per pen (11 pigs per treatment) and this pig was then euthanized and digesta and tissues samples were collected. Results indicated that for the overall phase, pigs fed the positive control diet had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI and tended (P = 0.064) to have greater final BW than pigs fed the negative control diet. The ADG and G:F increased and then decreased as increasing doses of C. butyricum were included in the diet (quadratic, P < 0.05). The concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α was less (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the positive control diet compared with pigs fed the negative control diet or diets containing C. butyricum. Crypt depth tended (P = 0.08) to be less in pigs fed the negative control diet compared with pigs fed the positive control diet and villus height tended to increase as the doses of C. butyricum increased in the diets (quadratic, P = 0.08). Villus height also tended (P = 0.084) to be greater in pigs fed diets containing C. butyricum compared with pigs fed the positive control diet. Crypt depth increased as the dose of C. butyricum increased (quadratic, P < 0.05) and villus width at the bottom tended to increase (linear, P = 0.072) as the dose of C. butyricum increased in the diet. Alpha and beta diversity indices of ileal and colonic microbiota were not affected by diet. In conclusion, addition of 1,250 × 108 cfu/kg of C. butyricum, but not greater levels, to diets fed to weanling pigs increased growth performance and tended to increase villus height and crypt depth, but changes in the abundance of intestinal microbiota were not observed.

Effects of Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal function in weaned piglets

Eucommia ulmoides is traditional Chinese medicine, and it possesses several potential bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune regulatory activities. This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extracts (ELE) on growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal function of weaned piglets. Two hundred crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) piglets with an average initial weight of 12.96 ± 0.28 kg were randomly allotted to five treatments: C0 (basal diet), C1 (basal diet + antibiotics) and basal diet supplemented with increasing levels of ELE (0.2, 0.3 or 0.4 g/kg of feed). The results showed that ELE or antibiotics supplementation remarkably decreased diarrhoea rate and 0.3 g/kg ELE increased average daily gain compared with C0 (p < .05). 0.3 g/kg ELE increased alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum and liver, as well as increased the content of serum albumin and total protein (TP) compared with the C0 (p < .05). The lipase activity of duodenum content and trypsin activity of jejunum content were improved fed diets containing 0.3 g/kg ELE compared with C0 (p < .05). The 0.3 g/kg ELE treatments have a higher villus height of the duodenum and jejunum compared with the C0 (p < .05). These results suggested that ELE supplementation had beneficial effects on antioxidant and intestinal function in weaned piglets, which also could increase growth performance and decreased diarrhoea rate. Accordingly, ELE is a potential alternative to antibiotics.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Combination of Tributyrin and Essential Oil on Gut Health and Microbiota of Weaned Piglets

Simple Summary

The dietary inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with either oregano or methyl salicylate as a substitution to antibiotics improved intestinal morphological structure of weaned piglets and resulted in major changes in the profiles of intestine microbiota and metabolites, which exerted beneficial effects on intestinal health of piglets. Our study indicated that the combination of tributyrate with oregano or methyl salicylate could be used as an alternative feed additive to the antibiotics.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with oregano or methyl salicylate as a substitute to antibiotics on gut health and microbiota of piglets. A total of 48 weaned crossbred piglets (Duroc × Large White × Landrace, 8.79 ± 0.97 kg, 21 ± 1 d) were randomly allocated to four experimental groups and fed for 4 weeks: the basal diet (Con); the control plus antibiotics (AB); the control plus oregano and tributyrin (OT); and the control plus methyl salicylate and tributyrin (MT). Although a numerical improvement on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was observed in the OT and MT as well as the AB group, the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). The OT and MT groups were larger in villus height in the duodenum compared to the Con (p < 0.05), and were larger in relative abundance of Firmicutes/Bacaeroides in the intestine compared to Con and AB groups (p < 0.01). The amount of major different metabolites was 6, 8 and 8 for the AB, OT and MT groups when compared to the Con, respectively. In conclusion, as a substitute for antibiotics the inclusion of the combination of tributyrin with either oregano or methyl salicylate to the diet of weaned piglets improved the intestinal morphological structure and altered intestinal microbiota and metabolites, which were beneficial to the animal health.

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermented Rapeseed with or without Macroalgae on Performance and Health of Piglets Following Omission of Medicinal Zinc from Weaner Diets

The feeding of medicinal zinc oxide (ZnO) to weaner piglets will be phased out after 2022 in Europe, leaving pig producers without options to manage post-weaning disorders. This study assessed whether rapeseed meal, fermented alone (FRM) or co-fermented with a single (Ascophylum nodosum; FRMA), or two (A. nodossum and Saccharina latissima; FRMAS) brown macroalagae species, could improve weaner piglet performance and stimulate intestinal development as well as maturation of gut microbiota in the absence of in-feed zinc. Weaned piglets (n = 1240) were fed, during 28-85 days of age, a basal diet with no additives (negative control; NC), 2500 ppm in-feed ZnO (positive control; PC), FRM, FRMA or FRMAS. Piglets fed FRM and FRMA had a similar or numerically improved, respectively, production performance compared to PC piglets. Jejunal villus development was stimulated over NC in PC, FRM and FRMAS (gender-specific). FRM enhanced colon mucosal development and reduced signs of intestinal inflammation. All fermented feeds and PC induced similar changes in the composition and diversity of colon microbiota compared to NC. In conclusion, piglet performance, intestinal development and health indicators were sustained or numerically improved when in-feed zinc was replaced by FRM.

A feed restriction milieu for Pekin meat ducks that may improve gait characteristics but also affects gut leakiness

In a previous study, we demonstrated that a 15% feed restriction (FR) during the first 2 wk after hatch could improve gait in Pekin meat ducks, but did result in reduced breast mass. We hypothesized that feed restriction after day 5 following muscle satellite cell development would allow the full growth of the breast meat. To accomplish this goal, 300 1-day-old ducklings (Maple Leaf Farms Inc.) were randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 groups (n = 4 pens, 25 ducks per pen): (1) Control group fed to ad libitum; (2) 85% daily feed intake from days 1 to 14 (FR 85% 1-14); 85% daily feed intake from days 5 to 14 (FR 85% 5-14). All ducks were vaccinated with inactivated Salmonella enteritidis on day 14 and boosted on day 26. The FR 85% 5-14 did show similar production standards to controls, and improved gait characteristics (P < 0.05). To determine if the partial feed restriction would have an impact on intestinal epithelial tight junction integrity, we treated ducks on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 with 8.32 mg/kg FITC-d in water per os and blood samples were obtained via the tibial vein 1 h later. Serum samples were analyzed for presence and quantification of FITC-d. Feed restriction elicited a significant increase in FITC-d permeability at all points of evaluation. Anti-S. enteritidis specific IgY responses were assessed by ELISA from serum collected at 14 D, 28 D, and 35 D. Although all ducks showed an increase humoral immune response to the S. enteritidis, both feed restricted groups showed reduced IgY production compared to ad lib controls. Our data suggest that although the FR 5-14 feed restriction paradigm may reduce gait abnormalities without affecting production rates, some challenges exist due to increased gut leakiness or decreased acquired immune activity. Future studies will look at altering the feed restriction milieu to ameliorate these challenges.

Dietary administration of resistant starch improved caecal barrier function by enhancing intestinal morphology and modulating microbiota composition in meat duck

Resistant starch (RS) was recently approved to exert a powerful influence on gut health, but the effect of RS on the caecal barrier function in meat ducks has not been well defined. Thus, the effect of raw potato starch (RPS), a widely adopted RS material, on microbial composition and barrier function of caecum for meat ducks was determined. A total of 360 Cherry Valley male ducks of 1-d-old were randomly divided and fed diets with 0 (control), 12, or 24 % RPS for 35 d. Diets supplemented with RPS significantly elevated villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio in the caecum. The 16S rRNA sequence analysis indicated that the diet with 12 % RPS had a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and the butyrate-producing bacteria Faecalibacterium, Subdoligranulum, and Erysipelatoclostridium were enriched in all diets. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were significantly increased in the 24 % RPS diet v. the control diet. When compared with the control diet, the diet with 12 % RPS was also found to notably increase acetate, propionate and butyrate contents and up-regulated barrier-related genes including claudin-1, zonula occludens-1, mucin-2 and proglucagon in the caecum. Furthermore, the addition of 12 % RPS significantly reduced plasma TNF-α, IL-1β and endotoxin concentrations. These data revealed that diets supplemented with 12 % RPS partially improved caecal barrier function in meat ducks by enhancing intestinal morphology and barrier markers expression, modulating the microbiota composition and attenuating inflammatory markers.

Effects of dietary supplementation with grape seed procyanidins on nutrient utilisation and gut function in weaned piglets

Grape seed procyanidins (GSPs), widely known for their beneficial health properties, fail to bring about the expected improvement in piglets' growth performance. The effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation may be a critical influencing factor. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with GSPs on nutrient utilisation and gut function in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets were allocated randomly to four treatment groups, with three replicate pens per treatment and 10 piglets per pen. Each group was given one of the four dietary treatments: the basal diet (control group) or the basal diet with the addition of 50-, 100- or 150-mg/kg GSPs. The trial lasted 28 days. Faeces were collected from d 12 to 14 and from d 26 to 28 for measuring the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of the nutrients. Blood samples were collected on d 14 and 28 for detecting the blood biochemical parameters. Two piglets per pen were slaughtered to collect the pancreas and intestinal digesta for evaluating the digestive enzyme activity and the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility (CIAD) of the nutrients. On d 14 and 28, supplementation with 150-mg/kg GSPs significantly decreased the CTTAD of DM and CP in piglets. On d 14, GSPs supplementation at a concentration of 150 mg/kg led to a remarkable decrease in the CIAD of CP and gross energy (GE). On d 28, GSPs supplementation at a dose of 150 mg/kg generated a marked decline in the CIAD of DM, GE, CP and ether extract. Grape seed procyanidins supplementation at concentrations of 100 or 150 mg/kg inhibited the activities of lipase and amylase. In contrast, the jejunum mucosa maltase and sucrase activities increased due to the inclusion of GSPs at a concentration of 100 mg/kg in the piglet diet. Compared with the levels of the control group, the serum glucose and total protein levels were enhanced significantly by supplementation with GSPs at 100 mg/kg and reduced dramatically at 150 mg/kg. The serum diamine oxidase activity and endotoxin levels were decreased by GSPs supplementation in piglet diets. In conclusion, higher concentrations of GSPs in weaned piglet diets attenuated nutrient digestion and inhibited digestive enzyme activity; however, suitable concentrations of GSPs could promote brush-border enzyme activity, enhance serum glucose and total protein concentrations and decrease epithelial permeability.

Comparative effects of dietary supplementations with sodium butyrate, medium-chain fatty acids, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in late pregnancy and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of suckling piglets

This study was conducted to compare the effects of adding sodium butyrate (SB), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) to the diet of sows during late gestation and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and the growth performance and intestinal health of suckling piglets. Twenty-four sows (Landrace × Large-White hybrid; third parity; 200 ± 15 kg) were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 diets: basal diet (control group), basal diet + 1 g SB/kg (SB group), basal diet + 7.75 g MCFA/kg (MCFA group), or basal diet + 68.2 g n-3 PUFA/kg (n-3 PUFA group). The experiment began on day 85 of gestation and ended day 22 of lactation. Colostrum samples were collected from each sow. After the experiment, blood and tissue samples were collected from 1 randomly selected piglet. The results showed that the weaning-to-estrus interval of sows in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups was shorter than that of sows in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of diarrhea in suckling piglets in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups was lower than that of piglets in the control group (P < 0.05). The fat, protein, IgA, IgG, and IgM concentration in colostrum from sows increased following dietary supplementation with SB, MCFA, or n-3 PUFA (P < 0.05). Comparison with the control group, the mRNA expression of claudin-1, zona occludens 1, and interleukin-10 increased in the jejunum mucosa of suckling piglets in the SB, MCFA, and n-3 PUFA groups, while that of TLR4 decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Chao1 and ACE indexes of microbial flora in the colon contents of piglets in the SB, MCFA, and MCFA groups increased (P < 0.05), while the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Synergistetes decreased at the phylum level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, during late pregnancy and lactation, dietary SB supplementation had a greater effect on intestinal health and caused a greater decrease in preweaning mortality of suckling piglets than did dietary MCFA or n-3 PUFA supplementation; dietary MCFA supplementation shortened the weaning-to-estrus interval of sows to a greater extent than did dietary SB or n-3 PUFA supplementation; and dietary n-3 PUFA supplementation increased the fat and protein content in the colostrum to the greatest extent.

A glucocorticoid receptor agonist improves post-weaning growth performance in segregated early-weaned pigs

While beneficial for sow reproductive efficiency and biosecurity, segregated early weaning (SEW) leads to a systemic immune response that adversely affects the digestive physiology and post-weaning growth of pigs. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a glucocorticoid receptor agonist (GA) on growth performance, measures of immune function and intestinal integrity of SEW pigs. In both experiments, pigs were fed corn-soybean meal-based starter diets. In the first experiment, 48 pigs (initial BW 4.8 ± 0.7 kg) were weaned at 21 ± 1 days and randomly assigned to three GA treatment groups: 0, 0.2 and 0.6 mg GA/kg of BW injected intramuscularly. Treatments were administered one day before weaning. Pigs in the 0 mg GA group received sterile saline in place of GA. Body weight was measured daily from one day before to 7 days post-weaning, and then weekly until 28 days post-weaning. Piglets treated with 0.2 mg GA had a higher BW than piglets in other treatment groups during the 28-day course of the study (P <0.02). To further explore the mechanisms behind this result, a second experiment was performed in which a total of 18 gilts (BW 5.6 ± 0.85 kg) were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: suckling plus saline (UWS), weaned treated with GA (WGA; 0.2 mg GA/kg BW) and weaned plus saline (CON). Treatments were administered one day before and 3 days post-weaning. The WGA and CON groups were weaned at 23 ± 2 days, while the UWS group remained with sow for the duration of the study. Body weight was measured daily and blood plasma was collected at 0, 1, 4 and 5 days post-weaning. All gilts were euthanized 5 days after weaning and jejunum samples were collected for mucosal scrapings, histomorphological analysis and gene expression analysis. Plasma levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and haptoglobin were lower in WGA pigs compared with CON (P <0.02), while plasma total antioxidant capacity was higher in WGA pigs compared with both CON and UWS groups (P <0.01). Relative to CON, GA downregulated IL-18 gene expression in the jejunum, as assessed by both tissue homogenate and mucosal scrapings, but it upregulated claudin-IV gene expression only in the tissue homogenate (P <0.01). These results suggest that GA treatment improves the growth performance of SEW pigs in part by mitigating the negative effects of systemic inflammation. However, the effect of GA on barrier integrity requires further investigation.

The Effects of Clinoptilolite Administration on the Appetite, the Consistency of Faeces and the Histology of the Small Intestine in Growing Pigs

Clinoptilolite (Cp) is the most common and suitable natural zeolite type for many commercial and industrial applications. Recent studies have also shown a high potential of clinoptilolite in various medical applications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of long-term peroral administration of clinoptilolite on appetites, the consistency of faeces, and the histopathology of the intestines of growing pigs. Fourteen Landrace × Large White crossbred pigs of both genders, a few days after weaning (12.95 kg b. w.), were divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed with a basal feed mixture, and the experimental group with a feed mixture supplemented with 2 % of natural zeolite (the commercial preparation “ZeoFeed”). The appetite, clinical state and consistency of the faeces were assessed every day. The blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, and 42 of the experiment. Histological examinations of the intestines from the control and experimental animals were carried out at the end of the experiments. The supplementation of 2 % Cp did not affect neither the appetite nor the clinical state of the pigs. The faecal consistency score in the experimental animals was 18.82 % lower than that of the control piglets. The histopathological evaluations showed protective evidence of the Cp on the intestinal tract wall in the duodenum and jejunum.

Gardenia Decoction Prevent Intestinal Mucosal Injury by Inhibiting Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and NF-κB Signaling

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, which belongs to the Rubiaceae family, is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine. Although effect of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis has been widely reported, its anti-inflammatory role in intestinal mucosal injury induced by LPS remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of decoction extracted from Gardenia jasminoides on the morphology and intestinal antioxidant capacity of duodenum induced by LPS in mice. Further analysis was carried out in the expression of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) was determined by Western blot. Gardenia jasminoides water extract was qualitative analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electro spray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The results showed that Gardenia decoction markedly inhibited the LPS-induced Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1 production. It was also observed that Gardenia decoction attenuated duodenum histopathology changes in the mouse models. Furthermore, Gardenia decoction inhibited the expression of NF-κB in LPS stimulated mouse duodenum. These results suggest that Gardenia decoction exerts an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant property by up-regulating the activities of the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), the total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Gardenia decoction is highly effective in inhibiting intestinal mucosal damage and may be a promising potential therapeutic reagent for intestinal mucosal damage treatment.

Dietary alanyl-glutamine improves growth performance of weaned piglets through maintaining intestinal morphology and digestion-absorption function

Alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln), a highly soluble and stable glutamine dipeptide, is known to improve gut integrity and function. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether dietary Ala-Gln supplementation could improve growth performance, intestinal development and digestive-absorption function in weaned piglets. A total of 100 purebred Yorkshire piglets weaned at 21 days of age were assigned randomly to four dietary treatment groups and fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet containing 0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45% Ala-Gln, respectively. Compared with the control group, piglets fed the Ala-Gln diets had higher average daily gain and lower feed : gain and diarrhea rate (P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary Ala-Gln supplementation increased villous height and villous height : crypt depth ratio in duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05), as well as the activities of maltase and lysozyme in jejunum mucosa (P < 0.05). In addition, a decrease in serum diamine oxidase activity and crypt depth in duodenum and jejunum was observed in piglets fed the Ala-Gln diets (P < 0.05). Serum cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) concentration and gene expression of cPLA2, Na+-dependent glucose transporter 1, glucose transporter 2 and peptide transporter 1 in jejunum were increased by feeding Ala-Gln diets relative to control diet (P < 0.05). These results indicated that feeding Ala-Gln diet has beneficial effects on the growth performance of weaned piglets, which associated with maintaining intestinal morphology and digestive-absorption function.

Dietary chlorogenic acid supplementation affects gut morphology, antioxidant capacity and intestinal selected bacterial populations in weaned piglets

Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an ester formed between caffeic acid and quinic acid, is one of the most abundant phenolic acids and is widespread in fruits, vegetables, cereals and tuber crops. Therefore, the present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with CGA could improve intestinal health and regulate intestinal selected microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of twenty-four piglets (21 d of age) were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to their initial BW and sex and fed a basal diet (control group) or a basal diet containing 250, 500 and 1000 mg kg-1 CGA, respectively. The whole trial lasted for 28 d. Dietary CGA supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the duodenal villous height and villous height : crypt depth ratio, but decreased (P < 0.05) the F/G ratio and duodenal crypt depth when compared with the control group. Meanwhile, an increase (P < 0.05) in the jejunal villous height and in the ileal villous height : crypt depth ratio were also observed in CGA-fed piglets. Supplementation with CGA significantly increased (P < 0.05) the activity of serum GSH-Px and the activities of duodenal GSH-Px and CAT, upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of OCLN in the duodenum and jejunum, and decreased (P < 0.05) the ileal MDA content when compared to the control group. In addition, an increase (P < 0.05) in the population of Lactobacillus and a decrease (P < 0.05) in the population of Escherichia coli were observed in the colon of pigs fed CGA diets. Furthermore, pigs fed CGA diets had higher (P < 0.05) propionic and butyric acid concentrations in the colon. Altogether, our results provide evidence that dietary CGA is beneficial for preserving intestinal morphological integrity and selectively regulating intestinal microbiota, which can provide a means to improve gut health and growth performance post-weaning.

Partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase

Objective

Evaluate the partial replacement of soybean meal with different protein sources in piglet feed during the nursery phase in terms of digestibility of feed, nitrogen balance, growth performance and blood parameters.

Methods

Experiment I involved 24 crossbred entire male pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 18.28±0.7 kg and used a randomized complete block design consisting of 3 treatments (fish meal, FM; soybean protein concentrate, SPC; and soybean meal, SBM) and 8 replicates, with 1 pig per experimental unit. Experiment II involved 1,843 crossbred male and female pigs with an initial BW of 6.79±0.90 kg and was based on a completely randomized design with a 2×3 factorial arrangement (2 sexes and 3 protein sources) and 13 replicates.

Results

The results of Exp. I indicate effects (p<0.05) of dietary protein sources on digestible protein (FM, 17.84%; SPC, 16.72%, and SBM, 18.13%) and on total nitrogen excretion (TNE, g/kg BW^0.75/d) in which pigs fed with SBM-based feed had TNE values that were 5.36% and 3.72% greater than SPC and FM, respectively. In the Exp. II, there was difference (p<0.01) between sexes in the pre-starter I and starter phases, and total period in average daily feed intake (ADFI), which were greater in females, and between the protein sources, ADFI, final weight and daily weight gain. For urea in the pre-starter II and starter phases and glucose in the pre-starter II phase, there was a difference (p<0.05) between protein sources and between sexes, in starter phase in urea concentrations (females: 57.11 mg/dL and males: 50.60 mg/dL).

Conclusion

The use of SBM as only protein source influences larger TNE (g/kg BW^0.75/d), reduces the growth performance of piglets and increases plasma urea concentrations in pre-starter II phase.

Effect of probiotics and xylo-oligosaccharide supplementation on nutrient digestibility, intestinal health and noxious gas emission in weanling pigs

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotics (Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium) and xylo-oligosaccharide (XOS) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum profiles, intestinal health, fecal microbiota and noxious gas emission in weanling pigs.

METHODS

A total of 240 weanling pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight (BW) of 6.3±0.15 kg were used in this 28-day trial. Pigs were randomly allocated in 1 of the following 4 dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of probiotics (0 and 500 mg/kg probiotics) and XOS (0 and 200 mg/kg XOS) based on the BW and sex.

RESULTS

Administration of probiotics or XOS improved average daily gain (p<0.05) during 0 to 14 d and the overall period, while pigs that were treated with XOS had a greater average daily gain and feed efficiency (p<0.05) compared with unsupplemented treatments throughout 15 to 28 d and the whole experiment. Either probiotics or XOS treatments increased the apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients (p<0.05) during 0 to 14 d. No effects on serum profiles were observed among treatments. The XOS increased villus height: crypt depth ratio in jejunum (p<0.05). The supplementation of probiotics (500 mg/kg) or XOS (200 mg/kg) alone improved the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy on d 14, the activity of trypsin and decreased fecal NH3 concentration (p<0.05). Administration of XOS decreased fecal Escherichia coli counts (p<0.05), while increased lactobacilli (p<0.05) on d 14. There was no interaction between dietary supplementation of probiotics and XOS.

CONCLUSION

Inclusion of XOS at 200 mg/kg or probiotics (Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium) at 500 mg/kg in diets containing no antibiotics significantly improved the growth performance of weanling pigs. Once XOS is supplemented, further providing of probiotics is not needed since it exerts little additional effects.

Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge repairs intestinal mucosal injury induced by LPS in mice

Background

Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese herbal medicines. It is used as immune stimulant, tonic, antioxidant, hepatoprotectant, diuretic, antidiabetic, anticancer, and expectorant. The purpose of the study was to investigate the curative effects of the decoction obtained from Astragalus membranaceus root in intestinal mucosal injury induced by LPS in mice. An LPS-induced intestinal mucosal injury mice model was applied in the study.

Methods

The mice were post-treated with Astragalus membranaceus decoction (AMD) for 4 days after 3 days LPS induction. ELISA kit was used to detect the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4,IL-6 and IL-8 in the serum of each group mice. The morphological changes in intestinal mucosa at the end of the experiments were observed. Both VH (villus height) and CD (crypt depth) were measured using H&E-stained sections.

Results

There were significant differences in IL-1β, IL-4,IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in AMD-treated group on the 7th day compared to the controls group. The VH was lower in duodenum, jejunum and the ileum in LPS-treated mice compared to the control animals. Similarly, there was also decrease in V/C. Compared to the control mice, for AMD-treated mice, VH and CD had no significantly differences.

Conclusions

Astragalus membranaceus reduced intestinal mucosal damage and promoted tissue repair by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory cytokine.

Protein fermentation in the gut; implications for intestinal dysfunction in humans, pigs, and poultry

The amount of dietary protein is associated with intestinal disease in different vertebrate species. In humans, this is exemplified by the association between high-protein intake and fermentation metabolite concentrations in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In production animals, dietary protein intake is associated with postweaning diarrhea in piglets and with the occurrence of wet litter in poultry. The underlying mechanisms by which dietary protein contributes to intestinal problems remain largely unknown. Fermentation of undigested protein in the hindgut results in formation of fermentation products including short-chain fatty acids, branched-chain fatty acids, ammonia, phenolic and indolic compounds, biogenic amines, hydrogen sulfide, and nitric oxide. Here, we review the mechanisms by which these metabolites may cause intestinal disease. Studies addressing how different metabolites induce epithelial damage rely mainly on cell culture studies and occasionally on mice or rat models. Often, contrasting results were reported. The direct relevance of such studies for human, pig, and poultry gut health is therefore questionable and does not suffice for the development of interventions to improve gut health. We discuss a roadmap to improve our understanding of gut metabolites and microbial species associated with intestinal health in humans and production animals and to determine whether these metabolite/bacterial networks cause epithelial damage. The outcomes of these studies will dictate proof-of-principle studies to eliminate specific metabolites and or bacterial strains and will provide the basis for interventions aiming to improve gut health.

Protective Effects of a Lipid Extract from Hard-Shelled Mussel (Mytilus coruscus) on Intestinal Integrity after Lipopolysaccharide Challenge in Mice

This study investigated the protective effects of a lipid extract from hard-shelled mussel (HMLE) on intestinal integrity and the underlying mechanisms after a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge in mice by using a 3 × 2 factorial design. Mice received olive oil, fish oil, and HMLE (n = 12 per group) by using gastric gavage for six weeks, respectively. Then half the mice in each group was injected intraperitoneally with LPS and the other half with phosphate buffered saline. Four hours after injection, mice were sacrificed and samples were collected. n-3 PUFAs were significantly enriched in erythrocytes following fish oil and HMLE supplementation. Both fish oil and HMLE improved intestinal morphology by restoring the ileac villus height and barrier function, which is indicated by decreased colonic myeloperoxidase activity and increased diamine oxidase activity as well as enhanced mRNA expression of intestinal tight junction proteins known as occludin and claudin-1 when compared with olive oil. In addition, both fish oil and HMLE increased colon production and the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, while they inhibited the abnormal production and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 relative to the olive oil. Lastly, in comparison with olive oil, both fish oil and HMLE downregulated the TLR-4 signaling pathway by reducing the expression of two key molecules in this pathway, which are called TLR-4 and MyD88. These results suggest that HMLE had a protective effect on intestinal integrity after the LPS challenge, which was equivalent to that of fish oil. This effect might be associated with the regulation of inflammatory mediators and the inhibition of the TLR-4 signaling pathway.

Effects of dietary energy and lipase levels on nutrient digestibility, digestive physiology and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy and lipase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, serum profiles, intestinal morphology, small intestinal digestive enzyme activities, biochemical index of intestinal development and noxious gas emission in weaning pigs.

Methods

A total of 240 weaning pigs ([Yorkshire×Landrace]×Duroc) with an average body weight (BW) of 7.3±0.12 kg were used in this 28-d experiment. Weaning pigs were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with 2 levels of energy (net energy = 2,470 kcal/kg for low energy diet and 2,545 kcal/kg for basal diet) and 2 levels of lipase (0 and 1.5 U/g of lipase) according to BW and sex. There were 6 replications (pens) per treatment and 10 pigs per pen (5 barrows and 5 gilts).

Results

Weaning pigs fed the low energy diet had lower (p<0.05) gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) throughout the experiment, apparent digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, ether extract, and gross energy during d 0 to 14, average daily gain during d 15 to 28, lipase activity in duodenum and ileum and protein/DNA in jejunum (p<0.05), respectively. Lipase supplementation had no effect on growth performance but affected apparent nutrient digestibility (p<0.05) on d 14 and enhanced lipase activity in the duodenum and ileum and protease activity in duodenum and jejunum of pigs (p<0.05) fed the low energy diet. Lipase reduced serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG), NH₃ production (p<0.05) from the feces.

Conclusion

The low energy diet decreased G:F throughout the experiment and nutrient digestibility during d 0 to 14 as well as lipase activity in duodenum and ileum. Lipase supplementation increased nutrient digestibility during d 0 to 14 and exerted beneficial effects on lipase activity in duodenum and ileum as well as protease activity in duodenum and jejunum, while reduced serum LDL-C, TG and fecal NH₃.

Physiological Effects of Whey- and Milk-Based Probiotic Yogurt in Rats

In an in vitro experiment commercially available probiotic products were tested for the survival of bacteria under conditions of simulated human digestion either when used alone or mixed into yogurt. In the in vivo experiment the effects of feeding a whey- and milk-based yogurt prepared with the probiotic strain showing adequate survival in the in vitro experiment, was measured on body weight, feed con¬sumption and immune response of rats (IgG and IgA level after immunisation), on the composition and volatile fatty acid production of the intestinal microbiota and on the structure of intestinal villi. The Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA-15) strain had inadequate surviving ability in rats. Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (BB-12) improved the composition of the intestinal microflora, whereas whey-containing product had a mild immunostimulating effect and exerted a favourable influence on the morphology of intestinal villi. The consumption of yogurts increased the depth of crypts in the ileum, which resulted in enhanced secretion and thus softer faeces