scholarly journals PSVI-40 Effects of dietary glucan on intestinal morphology, immunity response, barrier function and antioxidant capacity in weaning pigs

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 212-213
Author(s):  
xia xiong ◽  
Lvliang Wu ◽  
Yirui Shao ◽  
Jian zou ◽  
Yulong Yin
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Weaning Piglets

Abstract Glucan has been studied as a potential alternative to antibiotics for animals in recent years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary glucan on growth performance and gut health of weaning piglets, which is a water-soluble extracellular ꞵ-glucan produced by Agrobacterium sp. ZX09. A total of 108 weaned piglets (21 d of age; 6.05 ± 0.36 kg) were randomly assigned (6 pens/diet; 18 piglets/pen) to 3 dietary treatments consisting of a basal diet (control group) or the basal diet supplemented with 20 ppm olaquindox or 200 ppm glucan for 14 days, respectively. The results showed that piglets fed with glucan had greater (P < 0.05) body weight and average daily gain than piglets in control group. Piglets fed with glucan or antibiotic had greater villus height to crypt depth ratio on duodenum compared with control group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of Claudin-1 on duodenum or ileum was higher (P < 0.05) in glucan group than that on the other groups. The mRNA expression of TLR4, MYD88 and NFκB on jejunum were lower (P < 0.05) in glucan or antibiotic group than those in control group. Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the IL-10 and SIgA concentration on ileum (0.05 < P < 0.1). Dietary supplementation with glucan tended to increase the total antioxidant capacity on jejunum (P = 0.093). In conclusion, 200 ppm glucan or 20 ppm olaquindox can improve the growth performance of weaning piglets. The glucan may can accelerate the growth of weaned piglets by improving gut health. This research will provide guidance for the olaquindox alternative on growing piglets.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Zinc Sources on Growth Performance and Gut Health of Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Diao ◽  
Jiayou Yan ◽  
Shuwei Li ◽  
Shengyao Kuang ◽  
Xiaolan Wei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Expression Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mrna Expression Level ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Zinc Sources

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary zinc sources on the growth performance and gut health of weaned piglets. In total, 96 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) weaned piglets with an initial average body weight of 8.81±0.42kg were divided into four groups, with six replicates per treatment and four pigs per replicate. The dietary treatment groups were as follows: (1) control group, basal diet; (2) zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) group, basal diet +100mg/kg ZnSO4; (3) glycine zinc (Gly-Zn) group, basal diet +100mg/kg Gly-Zn and (4) zinc lactate group, and basal diet +100mg/kg zinc lactate. The whole trial lasted for 28days. Decreased F/G was noted in the Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups (p<0.05). The zinc lactate group had a lower diarrhea rate than the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the ZnSO4, Gly-Zn, and zinc lactate groups had significantly higher apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude ash, and zinc than the control group (p<0.05). The Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups had higher jejunal villus height and a higher villus height:crypt depth ratio than the control group (p<0.05). In addition, the ZnSO4, Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups had a significantly lower mRNA expression level of jejunal ZRT/IRT-like protein 4 (ZIP4) and higher mRNA expression level of jejunal interleukin-1β (IL-1β) than the control group (p<0.05). The mRNA expression level of jejunal zinc transporter 2 (ZNT2) was higher and that of jejunal Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) was lower in the Gly-Zn and zinc lactate groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, the zinc lactate group had a higher count of Lactobacillus spp. in the cecal digesta and higher mRNA expression levels of jejunal occludin and mucin 2 (MUC2) than the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 100mg/kg ZnSO4, Gly-Zn, or zinc lactate could improve the growth performance and gut barrier function of weaned piglets. Dietary supplementation with organic zinc, particularly zinc lactate, had the best effect.

scholarly journals Dietary Supplementation With Bacillus subtilis Promotes Growth and Gut Health of Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhilong Tian ◽  
Xiaodan Wang ◽  
Yehui Duan ◽  
Yue Zhao ◽  
Wenming Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Group A

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with different types of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) on the growth and gut health of weaned piglets. A total of 160 piglets were randomly assigned into four groups: control group (a basal diet), BS-A group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis A at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed), BS-B group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis B at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed), and BS-C group (a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis C at 1 × 106 CFU/g feed). All groups had five replicates with eight piglets per replicate. On days 7, 21, and 42 of the trial, blood plasma and intestinal tissues and digesta samples were collected to determine plasma cytokine concentrations, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota community and metabolic activity, and the expression of genes related to gut physiology and metabolism. The results showed that dietary B. subtilis supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the body weight and average daily gain (in BS-B and BS-C groups) of weaned piglets and decreased (P < 0.05) the diarrhea rates (in BS-A, BS-B, and BS-C groups). In the intestinal morphology analysis, B. subtilis supplementation improved (P < 0.05) the size of villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in the ileum of weaned piglets. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Tenericutes were the most dominant microflora in piglets' colon whatever the trial group and time of analysis. Dietary BS-C supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the relative abundances of Anaerovibrio and Bulleidia and decreased (P < 0.05) the relative abundances of Clostridium and Coprococcus compared with the control group. In addition, dietary B. subtilis supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the indicators of intestinal health, including plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-10, as well as the colonic levels of short-chain fatty acids. Furthermore, dietary B. subtilis supplementation also up-regulated (P < 0.05) the expression of genes involved in metabolic pathways related to intestinal microbiota maturation. In conclusion, these findings suggest that a diet containing BS-B or BS-C can efficiently promote growth performance, decrease diarrhea incidence, and ameliorate several indicators of intestinal health through the modulation of gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity in weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Dietary Supplementation with Trihexanoin Enhances Intestinal Function of Weaned Piglets

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3277
Author(s):  
Tao Wu ◽  
Kang Li ◽  
Dan Yi ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
Di Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Fat Metabolism ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Intestinal Function ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
And Function

Trihexanoin is a short-chain triglyceride (SCT). Many studies have reported that SCTs play important roles in the maintenance of intestinal epithelial structure and function. The present work was to investigate the effects of trihexanoin on growth performance, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, as well as intestinal morphology and function in weaned piglets. Twenty weaned piglets (21 ± 2 d) were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups: The control group (basal diet supplemented with 0.5% soya oil); the TH group (basal diet supplemented with 0.5% trihexanoin). Dietary trihexanoin supplementation significantly reduced diarrhea rate; increased the concentrations of LDL, HDL and total protein in plasma; decreased cholesterol concentrations and glutamyl transpeptidase activity in plasma; improved intestinal morphologic structure; altered the mRNA levels and abundances of proteins related to glycogen and fat metabolism, mucosal barrier function, antioxidant capacity and water transport capacity; and altered the community of intestinal microflora. These results indicate that dietary trihexanoin supplementation could reduce diarrhea, regulate carbohydrate and fat metabolism, exert beneficial effects on the intestinal mucosal barrier, protect the intestinal mucosa from injuries, improve intestinal transport and absorption, and enhance antioxidant capacity. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 0.5% trihexanoin improves the intestinal function and health of weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Effects of vitamin B6 on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and gene expression in weaned piglets that are fed a low-protein diet1

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanmei Yin ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Huiru Wang ◽  
Zhenfeng Yi ◽  
Lei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Vitamin B6 ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Cox 2

Abstract Vitamin B6 (VB6), which is an essential functional substance for biosome, plays an irreplaceable role in animal health. However, there are few studies that focus on the correlation between VB6 and intestinal health in weaned piglets. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of VB6 on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and inflammatory cytokines and amino acid (AA) transporters mRNA expression in weaned piglets that are fed a low crude-protein (CP, 18%) diet. Eighteen crossbred piglets with initial body weights of 7.03 ± 0.17 kg (means ± SEM), weaned at 21-d age, were randomly assigned three diets with 0, 4, and 7 mg/kg VB6 supplementation, respectively. The experimental period lasted 14 days. Our results showed that there were no significant differences in growth performance, diarrhea rate, and biochemical parameters among the three treatments. In the jejunum, dietary VB6 supplementation did not affect the morphology and positive Ki67 counts. Dietary supplementation with 4 mg/kg VB6 decreased the mRNA expression of COX-2, IL-10, and TGF-β (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 7 mg/kg VB6 increased the mRNA expression of SLC7A1, SLC7A6, SLC16A14, and SLC38A5 (P < 0.05) and 4 or 7 mg/kg VB6 decreased SLC36A1 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In the ileum, VB6 supplementation did not affect positive Ki67 counts but significantly decreased villus area (P < 0.05) and tended to decrease villus height (P = 0.093). Dietary supplementation with 4 mg/kg VB6 had significantly increased the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, IL-10, and TGF-β (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 4 or 7 mg/kg VB6 had significantly decreased SLC6A20, SLC7A1, SLC7A6, SLC16A14, and SLC38A5 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of VB6 mainly down-regulated inflammatory cytokines and up-regulated AA transporters mRNA expression in jejunum, while up-regulated (4 mg/kg) inflammatory cytokines and down-regulated AA transporters mRNA expression in ileum, which may provide a reference for the intestinal development of weaned piglets that are fed a low-CP diet.

scholarly journals Effects of Xylo-Oligosaccharides on Growth and Gut Microbiota as Potential Replacements for Antibiotic in Weaning Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Chen ◽  
Yining Xie ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
Changguang Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Short Chain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Weaning Piglets

Xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) is a well-known kind of oligosaccharide and extensively applied as a prebiotic. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of XOS supplementation substituting chlortetracycline (CTC) on growth, gut morphology, gut microbiota, and hindgut short chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents of weaning piglets. A total of 180 weaned piglets were randomly allocated to three treatments for 28 days, as follows: control group (basal diet, CON), basal diet with 500 mg/kg (XOS500) XOS, and positive control (basal diet with 100 mg/kg CTC). Compared with the CON group, the piglets in the XOS500 group improved body weight (BW) on days 28, average daily gain (ADG) and reduced feed: gain ratio during days 1–28 (P < 0.05). The XOS500 supplementation increased Villus height and Villus height: Crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P < 0.05). Villus Height: Crypt Depth of the ileum was also increased in the CTC treatment group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the XOS500 supplementation increased significantly the numbers of goblet cells in the crypt of the cecum. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed distinct differences in microbial compositions between the ileum and cecum. XOS500 supplementation significantly increased the bacterial diversity. However, CTC treatment markedly reduced the microbial diversity (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, XOS500 supplementation in the diet significantly increased the abundance of Lactobacillus genus compared to the CON and CTC group in the ileum and cecum (P < 0.01), whereas the level of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Escherichia-Shigella, and Terrisporobacter genus in the XOS500 group were markedly lower than the CON and CTC group (P < 0.05). In addition, dietary supplementation with XOS500 significantly increased the total short-chain fatty acids, propionate and butyrate concentrations and decreased the acetate concentration compared to the CON group in the cecum (P < 0.05). In summary, dietary supplemented with XOS500 could enhance specific beneficial microbiota abundance and decrease harmful microbiota abundance to maintain the structure of the intestinal morphology and improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Thus, XOS may potentially function as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in weaned piglets in modern husbandry.

scholarly journals Effects of dietary supplementation with exogenous catalase on growth performance, oxidative stress, and hepatic apoptosis in weaned piglets challenged with lipopolysaccharide

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Xilun Zhao ◽  
Xuemei Jiang ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Liang Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Caspase 3 ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Post Challenge ◽  
Blood Samples

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of exogenous catalase (CAT) in the diet of weaned piglets on growth performance, oxidative capacity, and hepatic apoptosis after challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In experiment 1, 72 weaned piglets [Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 6.90 ± 0.01 kg body weight (BW), 21 d of age] were randomly assigned to be fed either a basal diet (CON group) or a basal diet supplemented with 2,000 mg/kg CAT (CAT group; dietary CAT activity, 120 U/kg) for 35 d. Blood samples were collected on day 21 and day 35. At the end of this experiment, 12 pigs were selected from each of the CON and CAT groups, and six pigs were injected with LPS (50 μg/kg BW), while the remaining six pigs were injected with an equal amount of sterile saline, resulting in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments (experiment 2). Blood samples and rectal temperature data were collected 0 and 4 h after challenge, and liver samples were obtained after evisceration. The gain-to-feed ratio was higher (P < 0.05) in piglets in the CAT group than in those in the CON group from day 1 to 35. Catalase and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities were higher (P < 0.05), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were lower (P < 0.05), in piglets in the CAT group than in those in the CON group at day 35. During challenge, rectal temperature and liver MDA and H2O2 concentrations increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas plasma CAT and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and liver CAT activity decreased markedly (P < 0.05), in LPS-challenged piglets 4 h post-challenge. Increased CAT activity and decreased MDA concentration were observed in the plasma and liver of piglets in the CAT group 4 h post-challenge (P < 0.05). Dietary CAT supplementation markedly suppressed the LPS-induced decrease in plasma GSH-Px activity and liver CAT activity to levels observed in the CON group (P < 0.05) as well as significantly decreasing the concentration and mRNA expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 (P < 0.05). LPS-induced liver injury was also attenuated by dietary CAT supplementation, as demonstrated by a decrease in liver caspase-3 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with 2,000 mg/kg exogenous CAT (dietary CAT activity, 120 U/kg) improves growth performance and has a beneficial effect on antioxidant capacity in weaned piglets; alleviates oxidative stress and reduces liver damage by suppressing hepatic apoptosis in LPS-challenged piglets.

scholarly journals Algae-Derived Polysaccharides Promote Growth Performance by Improving Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Barrier Function in Broiler Chickens

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Chao Liu ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Zhi-Hui Zhao ◽  
Rajesh Jha ◽  
Balamuralikrishnan Balasubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of dietary algae-derived polysaccharides (ADPs) from Enteromorpha on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal permeability, and antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and intestinal mucosa of broilers. Three hundred and ninety six day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments containing 0 (Control), 1,000, 2,500, 4,000, 5,500, and 7,000 mg ADP/kg basal diet in a 35 day feeding trial. During day 1–21, compared with the control group, dietary 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP supplementation improved the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05). Overall (day 1–35), dietary inclusion of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the final body weight and ADG (p < 0.05). Besides, on day 21, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation increased the serum catalase (CAT) and liver total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activities (p < 0.05), whereas dietary 1,000–5,500 mg/kg ADP supplementation decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in serum and liver (p < 0.05). On day 35, supplementation of 1,000 mg/kg ADP increased the serum glutathione peroxidase and CAT activities and liver T-SOD activities (p < 0.05). It decreased the MDA level of serum and liver (p < 0.05). Also, dietary 2,500 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of jejunum and ileum on day 21 (p < 0.05), and dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the villus height of duodenum and ileum on day 35 (p < 0.05). On day 21, dietary 4,000 mg/kg ADP increased the CAT activities of the duodenum and T-SOD activities of jejunum and ileum and decreased the MDA contents in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p < 0.05). On day 35, dietary inclusion of 1,000–7,000 mg/kg ADP reduced MDA contents of duodenum and jejunum (p < 0.05). Furthermore, dietary inclusion of ADP at 1,000–7,000 mg/kg decreased serum DAO activities at day 21 and day 35 (p < 0.05), and the serum D-lactic acid concentration was reduced by dietary supplementation of 1,000, 2,500, and 7,000 mg/kg ADP on day 21. In conclusion, dietary ADP exerted beneficial effects on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and gut health in broilers; based on the studied parameters, the appropriate recommended dose is 1,000–4,000 mg/kg. These findings provided new insights into the potential application of ADP as natural growth promoters in broilers.

Dietary Supplementation of β-Carotene on Growth Performance, Jejunal Permeability and Tight Junction Proteins in Weaned piglets

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuying Lang ◽  
Haizhou Gong ◽  
Ruonan Li ◽  
Min Wu ◽  
Qianran Chu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tight Junction ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tight Junction Proteins ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Zonula Occludens ◽  
Β Carotene ◽  
Junction Proteins

Abstract Background: Weaning causes stress syndrome in the newborns, while it can lead to many intestinal diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the dietary supplementation of β-carotene on growth performance, jejunal permeability and tight junction proteins in weaned piglets, and explore the underlying mechanisms by which β-carotene regulates tight junction proteins. The positive control group was fed sow's milk throughout the trial. The negative control group was weaned at d 21 without any supplementation. Two experimental groups of piglets were weaned at d 21 and fed 40 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg β-carotene-supplemented diets from d 14 to d 24, respectively. Blood and the jejunum were collected at d 24. Results: The results showed that β-carotene at 80 mg/kg increased initial and final body weight and average daily feed intake, improved the villus height at d 24 (p<0.05) but reduced crypt depth in weaned piglets at d 24 (p<0.05). Additionally, β-carotene protected intestinal morphology. Supplemental 80 mg/kg β-carotene reduced the concentrations of D-lactic acid and diamine oxidase in serum (p<0.05) but enhanced the mRNA expression of claudin-3, occludin (p<0.05), and zonula occludens protein-1(p>0.05) and the protein levels of claudin-3 (p<0.01), occludin (p<0.05), and zonula occludens protein-1 (p>0.05) in the jejunum at d 24. Using intestinal epithelial cells and a Rac1 inhibitor in vitro, we demonstrated that the β-carotene-induced higher tight junction proteins might depend on the Rac1 pathway. Conclusions: β-carotene improved growth performance and attenuated jejunal permeability and tight junction proteins in weaned piglets, suggesting that β-carotene at 80 mg/kg may be an effective way for keeping healthier intestine of weaning piglets due to weaning.

scholarly journals Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii on Gut Microbiome and Intestinal Morphology in Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Long Wang ◽  
Zhu-Ying Liu ◽  
Ying-Hui Li ◽  
Ling-Yuan Yang ◽  
Jie Yin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Isobutyric Acid ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Lactobacillus Delbrueckii ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Experimental Time ◽  
And Performance

Lactobacillus delbrueckii is a Gram-positive bacterium mostly used in the dairy industry for yogurt and cheese. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus delbrueckii on serum biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, and performance by supplementing at a dietary level of 0.1% in diets for weaned piglets. Eighty healthy weaned piglets (initial body weight: 7.56 ± 0.2 kg) were randomly divided into two feeding groups with four replicates in each group (n = 10 animals per replicate); piglets were fed with basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing 0.1% Lactobacillus delbrueckii (LAC). The results showed that dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii improved growth performance and increased serum HDL and insulin levels in piglets on the 28th day of the experimental time (p &lt; 0.05). The gut microbe analysis revealed that Lactobacillus delbrueckii significantly decreased the relative abundance of the phyla Bacteroidetes, but increased the relative abundance of the phyla Firmicutes. The Lactobacillus delbrueckii also significantly increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus at the genus level of the bacterial community in the ileum, but decreased the relative abundance of unclassified Clostridiales. Moreover, Lactobacillus delbrueckii improved mucosal morphology by obtaining higher intestinal villus height (p &lt; 0.05), significantly increasing the concentrations of butyrate, isobutyric acid, and isovaleric acid in colonic chyme of piglets, but decreasing the intestinal pH at the duodenum and ileum on the 28th day of the experimental time. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Lactobacillus delbrueckii in the diet of weaned piglets can improve intestinal morphology and modulate the microbiota community to promote growth performance.

scholarly journals Dietary Chitooligosaccharide Inclusion as an Alternative to Antibiotics Improves Intestinal Morphology, Barrier Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Immunity of Broilers at Early Age

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Li ◽  
Yefei Cheng ◽  
Yueping Chen ◽  
Hengman Qu ◽  
Yurui Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Antibiotic Group

This study aimed to investigate the effects of chitooligosaccharide (COS) inclusion as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers. In total, 144 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 3 groups and fed a basal diet free from antibiotics (control group) or the same basal diet further supplemented with either chlortetracycline (antibiotic group) or COS, for 21 days. Compared with the control group, inclusion of COS reduced the feed to gain ratio, the jejunal crypt depth, the plasma diamine oxidase activity, and the endotoxin concentration, as well as jejunal and ileal malondialdehyde contents, whereas increased duodenal villus height, duodenal and jejunal ratio of villus height to crypt depth, intestinal immunoglobulin G, and jejunal immunoglobulin M (IgM) contents were observed, with the values of these parameters being similar or better to that of the antibiotic group. Additionally, supplementation with COS enhanced the superoxide dismutase activity and IgM content of the duodenum and up-regulated the mRNA level of claudin three in the jejunum and ileum, when compared with the control and antibiotic groups. In conclusion, dietary COS inclusion (30 mg/kg), as an alternative to antibiotics, exerts beneficial effects on growth performance, intestinal morphology, barrier function, antioxidant capacity, and immunity in broilers.

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