Effects of Yeast (Saccharomyces Cerevisiae) Probiotics Supplementation on Bone Quality Characteristics in Young Japanese Quail (Coturnix Japonica): The Role of Sex on the Action of the Gut-Bone Axis

The effect of supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) to pregnant sows on the mucosal structure, immunolocalization of intestinal barrier proteins, VIP and leptin in the large intestine in their offspring

The large intestine epithelium plays an important role in water absorption and participates in fluid, acid-base and electrolyte balance, and the removal of waste products. The large intestine is rich in microorganism-presented enzyme activity. Apart from energy supply, the colon also participates in the synthesis of trophic factors and the modulation of the immune system and the systemic inflammatory response. The current study investigated the effects of dietary HMB administration to pregnant sows on the postnatal development of the colon in their offspring, at weaning. From the 70th to the 90th day of gestation, sows received either a basal diet (n = 12) or the basal diet supplemented with HMB (n = 12) at a dose of 0.2 g/kg of body weight/day. Maternal HMB treatment increased serum IgG and glucose concentrations and decreased serum urea concentration in the piglets. Basal histomorphometric analysis of offspring large intestines showed that prenatal HMB treatment led to a reduction in the thickness of the mucosa, submucosa and both types of myenterons, as well as reduced crypt thickness. The immunoreaction performed to mark T0 lymphocytes and total T lymphocytes in the colon wall showed that prenatal HMB treatment decreased the number of both types of lymphocytes. Greater expression for cadherin was found in the colon of piglets delivered by the HMB-treated sows. The expression of both tight junction proteins (occludin and claudin-3), as well as that of leptin, was stronger in the HMB-treated group. Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) expression was stronger in the submucosal plexuses in the HMB maternal treated piglets, while no changes were observed in the myenteric plexuses. The results obtained indicate that the administration of HMB to pregnant sows significantly influenced the expression of leptin, VIP and some proteins of the intestinal barrier in their offspring, with less influence on large intestine basal morphology.

Changes in the Intestinal Histomorphometry, the Expression of Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins, and the Bone Structure and Liver of Pre-Laying Hens Following Oral Administration of Fumonisins for 21 Days

Fumonisins (FB) are metabolites found in cereal grains (including maize), crop products, and pelleted feed. There is a dearth of information concerning the effects of FB intoxication on the intestinal histomorphometry, the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, and the bone structure and liver in pre-laying hens. The current experiment was carried out on hens from the 11th to the 14th week of age. The hens were orally administered an extract containing fumonisin B1 (FB1) and fumonisin B2 (FB2) at doses of 0.0 mg/kg b.w. (body weight), 1.0 mg/kg b.w., 4.0 mg/kg b.w., and 10.9 mg/kg b.w. for 21 days. Following FB intoxication, the epithelial integrity of the duodenum and jejunum was disrupted, and dose-dependent degenerative changes were observed in liver. An increased content of immature collagen was observed in the bone tissue of FB-intoxicated birds, indicating intensified bone turnover. A similar effect was observed with regards to the articular cartilage, where enhanced fibrillogenesis was observed mainly in the group of birds that received the FB extract at a dose of 10.9 mg/kg b.w. In conclusion, FB intoxication resulted in negative structural changes in the bone tissue of the hens, which could result in worsened bone mechanics and an increase in the risk of bone fractures. Fumonisin administration, even at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg b.w., can lead to degradation of the intestinal barrier and predispose hens to intestinal disturbances later in life.