scholarly journals Maternal Folic Acid Supplementation Differently Affects the Small Intestinal Phenotype and Gene Expression of Newborn Lambs from Differing Litter Sizes

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2183
Author(s):  
Zhen Li ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
Heqiong Li ◽  
Luyang Jian ◽  
Hailing Luo ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation during gestation on small intestinal development of newborn lambs of different litter sizes, focusing on the intestinal morphology and development-, apoptosis- and digestion-related genes expression. One hundred and twenty Hu ewes (Ovis aries) were inseminated and randomly allotted to three groups. One group received a control diet [without FA supplementation, control (CON)] and the other two groups received control diets supplemented with different amount of FA [16 or 32 mg FA per kg dry matter (DM), i.e., F16 and F32] during pregnancy. After lambing, according to the dietary FA levels and litter size (twins, TW; triplets, TR), the neonatal lambs were divided into 6 (TW-CON, TW-F16, TW-F32, TR-CON, TR-F16, TR-F32) treatment groups. The results showed that the ratio of small intestinal weight to live body weight and the thickness of the intestinal muscle layer in the offspring was enhanced significantly with increasing maternal FA supplementation (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and sodium/glucose co-transporter-1 (SGLT1) in the small intestines of the newborn lambs were increased, while the opposite was true for Bcl2-associated × (BAX) in response to FA supplementation (p < 0.05). Moreover, the small intestinal weights of twins were significantly higher than those of triplets (p < 0.01), and the expression levels of IGF-I (p < 0.05), sucrase-isomaltase (SI) (p < 0.05) and solute carrier family 2 member 5 (SLC2A5) (p < 0.01) were significantly lower than those in triplets. These findings suggest that maternal FA supplementation could improve the offspring’s small intestinal phenotype and the expression of development-, apoptosis- and digestion-related genes, so it could promote the small intestinal development of newborn lambs. Furthermore, the small intestine phenotypic development of twins was generally better than that of triplets, while the expression levels of the above genes of twins were lower than those of triplets.

Author(s):  
Yuxia Chen ◽  
Yining Xie ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) supplementation on growth performance, serum parameters, small intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal integrity, and immune function in weaned piglets. A total of 240 weaned piglets with an average body weight (BW) of 8.82 ± 0.05 kg (28 d of age) were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments in a 28-d trial, including a control diet (CON), 3 diets with XOS supplementation at the concentration of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg (XOS100, XOS500, and XOS1000). There were 4 replicates per treatment with 15 pigs per pen. From d 1 to 14, there were no differences (P &gt; 0.05) in average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) during the different treatments. The different doses of XOS showed a quadratic effect on BW on d 28, ADG and G:F d 1-28 of piglets (P &lt; 0.05). From d 15 to 28, ADG of pigs fed the XOS500 diet was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than pigs fed the CON diet. During the overall period (d 1 to 28), pigs fed the XOS500 diet had a higher BW, ADG and G:F than pigs fed the CON diet (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, compared with the CON group, the XOS500 group had significantly higher serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels and lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on d 14 and 28 (P &lt; 0.05). The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in the XOS500 group was also significantly higher compared with the CON group on d 14 and 28 (P &lt;0.05). However, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were not affected by the dietary treatments. Supplementation of XOS500 to the feed significantly increased the villus height (VH) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VH:CD) in the jejunum and ileum in comparison with the CON and XOS1000 group. Moreover, the XOS500 group significantly elevated the expression levels of Occludin and zonula occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) in the ileum compared to the CON group. The ileal interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8 and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA expression levels in the XOS100 and XOS500 group were markedly lower than in the CON group. In contrast, the ileal IL-10 mRNA expression levels were remarkably higher in the XOS500 than CON group. In conclusion, xylo-oligosaccharides have a beneficial effect on growth performance by improving serum antioxidant defense system, serum IgG, small intestinal structure and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1568
Author(s):  
Jiangshui Wang ◽  
Dianchun Wang ◽  
Kaixuan Li ◽  
Lei Xia ◽  
Yuanyuan Wang ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Under practical conditions, newly hatched chicks were usually withheld feed and water for 48 to 72 h. It was shown that early feeding after hatch promoted gastrointestinal development of broiler chicks. However, the mechanism of early feeding affecting intestinal development in chicks needs further research. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of first feed administration on intestinal morphology, barrier function, and plasma hormones in broilers during the initial 168 h posthatch. (2) Methods: A total of 720 one-day-old chicks (newborn chick, Lingnan Yellow) were placed 2 h after hatch and randomly assigned to three treatments: Group A (feed immediately after placement), Group B (fasting for 24 h after placement), and Group C (fasting for 48 h after placement). The trial lasted for 168 h and water ad libitum all the time. Sampling was performed at 0, 24, 48, 72, 120, and 168 h. (3) Results: Higher (p < 0.05) absolute weight and relative weight of the small intestine were observed in Group A. Moreover, the villus height, crypt depth, and ratio of the jejunum and ileum were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Groups A and B than those in Group C. Microvilli of the duodenum were closely packed in Group A but sparse and disorganized in Groups B and C. The expression levels of mRNA and protein of tight junction genes (occludin and claudin-1) were upregulated (p < 0.05) in Group A. The levels of gastrin and insulin in plasma were decreased (p < 0.05) significantly in the Groups B and C. However, chicks in Groups B and C had higher (p < 0.05) plasma glucagon levels at 24 and 48 h after placement. (4) Conclusions: These results suggested that early feeding posthatch had a positive effect on small intestinal growth increasing weight and improving intestinal morphology and barrier function.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Uerlings ◽  
Ester Arévalo Sureda ◽  
Martine Schroyen ◽  
Kikianne Kroeske ◽  
Sofie Tanghe ◽  
...  

We investigated the use of citrus pulp (CP) as a novel prebiotic capable of exerting microbiota and immunomodulating capacities to alleviate weaning stress. Inulin (IN), a well-known prebiotic, was used for comparison. Hundred and 28 male weaned piglets of 21 days old were assigned to 32 pens of 4 piglets each. Piglets were assigned to one of the four treatments, i.e., control, IN supplemented at 0.2% (IN0.2%), and CP supplemented either at 0.2% (CP0.2%) or at 2% (CP2%). On d10–11 and d31–32 post-weaning, one pig per pen was euthanized for intestinal sampling to evaluate the growth performance, chyme characteristics, small intestinal morphology, colonic inflammatory response and barrier integrity, metabolite profiles [gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)], and microbial populations. The IN treatment and the two CP treatments induced higher small intestinal villus height to crypt depth ratios in comparison with the control diet at both sampling times. All treatments decreased acidic goblet cell absolute counts in the crypts in comparison to the control diet of the duodenum on d10–11 and d31–32. The gene expression of β-defensin 2 was downregulated in colonic tissues following the IN and CP2% inclusion on d31–32. On d31–32, piglets fed with IN and CP0.2% showed lower mRNA levels of occludin and claudin-3, respectively. Not surprisingly, flavonoids were observed in the colon in the CP treatments. Increased colonic acetate proportions on d10–11, at the expense of branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA) levels, were observed following the CP2% supplementation compared to the control diet, inferring a reduction of proteolytic fermentation in the hindgut. The beneficial microbial community Faecalibacterium spp. was promoted in the colon of piglets fed with CP2% on d10–11 (p = 0.04; false discovery rate (FDR) non-significant) and on d31–32 (p = 0.03; FDR non-significant) in comparison with the control diet. Additionally, on d31–32, CP2% increased the relative abundance of Megasphaera spp. compared to control values (p = 0.03; FDR non-significant). In conclusion, CP2% promoted the growth of beneficial bacterial communities in both post-weaning time points, modulating colonic fermentation patterns in the colon. The effects of CP supplementation were similar to those of IN and showed the potential as a beneficial feed supplement to alleviate weaning stress.


Author(s):  
H. M. J. Van Hees ◽  
M. Davids ◽  
D. Maes ◽  
S. Millet ◽  
S. Possemiers ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Commercial pre-weaning diets are formulated to be highly digestible and nutrient-dense and contain low levels of dietary fibre. In contrast, pigs in a natural setting are manipulating fibre-rich plant material from a young age. Moreover, dietary fibre affects gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development and health in older pigs. We hypothesised that supplemental diets that contain vegetal fibres are accelerating GIT development in suckling piglets in terms of size and functionality. From d 2 of life, sow-suckled piglets had access to a low fibre diet (CON), a diet with a fermentable long-chain arabinoxylan (lc-AXOS), a diet with a largely non-fermentable purified cellulose (CELL), or a diet containing both fibres. During the initial 2 weeks, the control diet was a high-density milk replacer, followed by a dry and highly digestible creep meal. Upon weaning at 25 d, 15 piglets from each treatment group, identified as eaters and originating from six or seven litters, were sacrificed for post-mortem examination of GIT morphology, small intestinal permeability and metabolic profile of the digesta. The microbiota composition of the mid-colon was evaluated in a sub-set of ten piglets. Results No major statistical interactions between the fibre sources were observed. Piglets consumed the fibre-containing milk supplements and creep diets well. Stomach size and small intestinal permeability was not affected. Large intestinal fill was increased with lc-AXOS only, while relative large intestinal weight was increased with both fibre sources (P < 0.050). Also, CELL decreased ileal pH and tended to increase ileal DM content compared to CON (P < 0.050). Moreover, the concentration of volatile fatty acids was increased in the caecum (P < 0.100) and mid-colon (P < 0.050) by addition of CELL. lc-AXOS only stimulated caecal propionate (P < 0.050). The microbiota composition showed a high individual variation and limited dietary impact. Nonetheless, CELL induced minor shifts in specific genera, with notable reductions of Escherichia-Shigella. Conclusions Adding dietary fibres to the supplemental diet of suckling piglets altered large intestinal morphology but not small intestinal permeability. Moreover, dietary fibre showed effects on fermentation and modest changes of microbial populations in the hindgut, with more prominent effects from the low-fermentable cellulose.


Author(s):  
Qin Guo ◽  
Xian-Ming Lin ◽  
Zhong Di ◽  
Quan-Ai Zhang ◽  
Shuo Jiang

Background: Converging evidence indicates that glutamatergic system and glia are directly implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Clinical studies indicate that electroacupuncture (EA) has antidepressant-like effect with low side effects for depression. However, the underlying antidepressant mechanism of acupuncture remains obscure. Methods: Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depressive rats were used to induce depressive-like behavior, and evaluated by the weight change, open field test, sucrose preference test, and novelty suppressed feeding test. EA, NMDA receptor subunit 2A antagonist (NR2A RA) or NMDA receptor subunit 2B antagonist (NR2B RA) was used for comparison. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the content of hippocampal glutamate, while western blot for the hippocampal protein expression levels of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), Bax, caspase 3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). The distribution of glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 2A (NR2A), neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), glutamate ionotropic receptor NMDA type subunit 2B (NR2B) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Significant depression behavior (reduced body weight and sucrose preference, increased feeding and immobility time) was produced in CUMS-induced depressive rats, which was reversed significantly by EA. EA decreased hippocampal glutamate level. EA led to a significant decrease in expression levels of Bax, caspase 3 and CaMKⅡ accompanied by increased Bcl-2 expression level. Furthermore, EA significantly increased NR2A expression level as well as decreased NR2B expression level in hippocampus. Conclusion: EA ameliorated depression-like behavior in CUMS rats, which might be mediated, at least in part, by regulating the glutamate, NMDA receptors and apoptosis in the hippocampus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 154-154
Author(s):  
A. Kuhnl ◽  
R. Shaikh ◽  
D. Cunningham ◽  
N. Counsell ◽  
S. Barrans ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2381-2388
Author(s):  
Xiao Yan

In order to explore the possible treatment mechanism of metformin on the local ovarian cell tissue of rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), 35 female clean sterile rats were selected as the research objects in this study, and randomly divided a PCOS model group (PCOS MG) (25 rats) and a control group (CG) (10 rats). After the modelling was completed, 5 rats were randomly selected to evaluate the modelling effect. When the success rate was higher than 80%, the remaining model rats were divided into two groups randomly, namely the (PCOS MG) (10 rats) and the treatment group (TG) (10 rats). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed on ovarian tissue of the rat, and the ovarian tissue structure was observed under light microscope. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the distribution and expression levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the ovaries of rats in each group. It was found by observing the vaginal smear under the microscope that the rats in the (PCOS MG) had lost the regular estrous cycle, suggesting that there was no ovulation. The expression levels of TNF-α and CTGF in rats in the (PCOS MG) were greatly higher than those in the CG (P < 0.05); compared with the (PCOS MG), the expression levels of TNF-α and CTGF in the TG were decreased observably (P < 0.05). IGF-I was mainly expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular membrane cells (FMCs) of the ovarian tissue. The expression level of IGF-I in ovarian GCs in rats in the (PCOS MG) was significantly higher than that in the CG (P < 0.05). The expression level of IGF-I in GCs in the TG was lower significantly than that in the (PCOS MG) (P < 0.05). By comparing with rats in the CG, the rats in the (PCOS MG) had obviously decreased Actinobacteria and Betaproteobacteria in the intestinal tract, and the proportion of Firmicutes in the intestine was significantly increased; the amount of butyric acid in the faeces of rats with aerobic exercise was obviously higher than that in the (PCOS MG), because exercise increased the proportion of intestinal butyric acid-producing bacteria. Conclusion: metformin combined with aerobic exercise can treat the PCOS by regulating serum hormone levels and the expression levels of TNF-α, IGF-I, and CTGF.


2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1662-1668 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Roque Hernández ◽  
Juan José Santinón ◽  
Sebastián Sánchez ◽  
Hugo Alberto Domitrovic

The effects of the replacement of bread yeast by soybean meal in diets for Rhamdia quelen larvae on growth, survival, and intestinal morphology were analysed. Larvae were fed for 20 days with five diets: a control diet formulated with 57% of bread yeast, and other four diets in which soybean meal at concentrations of 14.25, 28.5, 42.75 and 57% was added to obtain 25, 50, 75 and 100% of bread yeast replacement. Growth and survival parameters were negatively affected by dietary soybean meal inclusion. Larvae fed control diet showed significantly higher mean weight, specific growth rate, final biomass, and survival rate than larvae from other treatments. Enterocyte height and fold width of the posterior intestine showed highest values in the control group, and an inverse linear relationship with the level of dietary soybean meal inclusion was observed, however, in the anterior intestine the morphology parameters were not affected by the diet. These results indicate that inclusion of soybean meal in diets for R. quelen larvae negatively affects growth and survival, as well as the capacity for digestion and absorption of nutrients, mainly in the posterior intestine.


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