scholarly journals Dietary chitosan-Cu chelate affects growth performance and small intestinal morphology and apoptosis in weaned piglets.

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
X. Yue ◽  
L. Hu ◽  
X. Fu ◽  
M. Lv ◽  
X. Han
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence ◽  
Small Intestinal

The effects of dietary chitosan-copper chelate (CS-Cu) on growth performance, diarrhea, intestinal morphology and epithelial cell apoptosis in weaned piglets was investigated. One hundred and sixty Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weanling barrows with an average body weight of 7.75 kg were randomly assigned to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO<sub>4</sub>, (3) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO<sub>4</sub> mixed with chitosan (CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS), (4) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CS-Cu. The feeding trial lasted for 30 days. The results showed that the pigs receiving a diet containing CS-Cu had higher average daily gain and lower diarrhea incidence than the pigs receiving dietary CuSO<sub>4</sub> and CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS. Villus height and the ratio of villus height/crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were higher and crypt depth was lower in CS-Cu treated pigs than in pigs fed dietary CuSO<sub>4 </sub>or CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS. An apparent decrease of ileal epithelial cell apoptosis in pigs fed CS-Cu diet was found. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in pigs fed dietary CS-Cu than in those fed other diets. The results indicated that dietary CS-Cu showed better biological and physiological function in improving small intestinal morphology and reducing diarrhea incidence.

scholarly journals Dietary chitosan-Cu chelate affects growth performance and small intestinal morphology and apoptosis in weaned piglets

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 15-21
Author(s):  
X. Yue ◽  
L. Hu ◽  
X. Fu ◽  
M. Lv ◽  
X. Han
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Epithelial Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Diarrhea Incidence ◽  
Small Intestinal

The effects of dietary chitosan-copper chelate (CS-Cu) on growth performance, diarrhea, intestinal morphology and epithelial cell apoptosis in weaned piglets was investigated. One hundred and sixty Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire weanling barrows with an average body weight of 7.75 kg were randomly assigned to one of the following dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO<sub>4</sub>, (3) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CuSO<sub>4</sub> mixed with chitosan (CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS), (4) 100 mg Cu/kg diet from CS-Cu. The feeding trial lasted for 30 days. The results showed that the pigs receiving a diet containing CS-Cu had higher average daily gain and lower diarrhea incidence than the pigs receiving dietary CuSO<sub>4</sub> and CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS. Villus height and the ratio of villus height/crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were higher and crypt depth was lower in CS-Cu treated pigs than in pigs fed dietary CuSO<sub>4 </sub>or CuSO<sub>4</sub>+CS. An apparent decrease of ileal epithelial cell apoptosis in pigs fed CS-Cu diet was found. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were higher in pigs fed dietary CS-Cu than in those fed other diets. The results indicated that dietary CS-Cu showed better biological and physiological function in improving small intestinal morphology and reducing diarrhea incidence.

Effects of graded levels of xylo-oligosaccharides on growth performance, serum parameters, intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier function in weaned piglets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuxia Chen ◽  
Yining Xie ◽  
Ruqing Zhong ◽  
Hui Han ◽  
Lei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Small Intestinal ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Mrna Expression Levels

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.

scholarly journals Effects of Combined Supplementation of Macleaya cordata Extract and Benzoic Acid on the Growth Performance, Immune Responses, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Morphology, and Microbial Composition in Weaned Piglets

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Yexin Yin ◽  
Mei Yang ◽  
Jiashun Chen ◽  
Chenxing Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Benzoic Acid ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Macleaya Cordata

Because the use of antibiotics is forbidden, piglets experience a considerable weanling stress, resulting in increased incidence of diarrhea and death. Macleaya cordata extract or benzoic acid have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities that makes them potential antibiotic alternatives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential effects of feed supplemented with Macleaya cordata extract and benzoic acid on growth performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology, and microflora in weaned piglets. Twenty-four weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] 28 days of age and weighing 8.41 ± 0.13 kg were randomly divided in equal numbers (n = 8) into three groups fed a basal diet (CON), CON + 20 mg/kg flavomycin + 50 mg/kg quinocetone (AGP), or CON + 50 mg/kg Macleaya cordata extract + 1,000 mg/kg benzoic acid (MB). Compared with the CON diet, dietary MB or AGP increased the final weight and average daily gain, and reduced feed efficiency and the diarrhea rate (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with the CON diet, MB supplementation increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD activity) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P &lt; 0.05). Serum interleukin (IL)-10 IgA and IgM were higher (P &lt; 0.05) in MB-fed piglets than in CON-fed piglets. Piglets fed the MB diet had greater villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio (VC) in the duodenum, villus height in the ileum, and lower crypt depth in the jejunum than did piglets given the CON diet (P &lt; 0.5). Piglets in the MB group had increased concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total short-chain fatty acids in the ileum or cecum compared with the CON and AGP groups (P &lt; 0.05). Streptococcus proportion was lower in the MB than in the AGP group. Dietary MB increased the Lactobacillus and decreased Escherichia-Shigella populations compared with the CON group (P &lt; 0.05). The study results indicate that MB can be used to replace AGP as a feed supplement for weaned piglets.

scholarly journals Effect of Niacin on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Mucosal Immunity and Microbiota Composition in Weaned Piglets

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2186
Author(s):  
Shilong Liu ◽  
Xiaoping Zhu ◽  
Yueqin Qiu ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Xiuguo Shang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Mucosal Immunity ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth

This study aimed to investigate the effects of niacin on growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal mucosal immunity, and colonic microbiota in weaned piglets. A total of 96 weaned piglets (Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire), 21-d old, 6.65 ± 0.02 kg body weight (BW)) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups (8 replicate pens per treatment, each pen containing 4 males; n = 32/treatment) for 14 d. Piglets were fed a control diet (CON) or the CON diet supplemented with 20.4 mg/kg niacin (NA) or an antagonist for the niacin receptor GPR109A (MPN). The results showed that NA or MPN had no effect on ADG, ADFI, G/F or diarrhea incidence compared with the CON diet. However, compared with piglets in the NA group, piglets in the MPN group had lower ADG (p = 0.042) and G/F (p = 0.055). In comparison with the control and MPN group, niacin supplementation increased the villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p < 0.05), while decreasing the crypt depth in the duodenum (p < 0.05). Proteomics analysis of cytokines showed that niacin supplementation increased the expression of duodenal transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), jejunal interleukin-10 (IL-10) and ileal interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05), and reduced the expression of ileal interleukin-8 (IL-8) (p < 0.05) compared with the control diet. Piglets in the MPN group had significantly increased expression of ileal IL-6, and jejunal IL-8 and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (p < 0.05) compared with those in the control group. Piglets in the MPN group had lower jejunal IL-10 level and higher jejunal IL-8 level than those in the NA group (p < 0.05). The mRNA abundance of duodenal IL-8 and ileal granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes were increased (p < 0.05), and that of ileal IL-10 transcript was decreased (p < 0.05) in the MPN group compared with both the control and NA groups. Additionally, niacin increased the relative abundance of Dorea in the colon as compared with the control and MPN group (p < 0.05), while decreasing that of Peptococcus compared with the control group (p < 0.05) and increasing that of Lactobacillus compared with MPN supplementation (p < 0.05). Collectively, the results indicated that niacin supplementation efficiently ensured intestinal morphology and attenuated intestinal inflammation of weaned piglets. The protective effects of niacin on gut health may be associated with increased Lactobacillus and Dorea abundance and butyrate content and decreased abundances of Peptococcus.

Effects of dietary rosemary extract supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning pigs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei Yang ◽  
Yexin Yin ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Xuetai Bao ◽  
Lina Long ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Antioxidant Capacity ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Crypt Depth

Abstract Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract (RE) has multiple pharmacological and biological activities, including use as a food additive and medicine. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary RE supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and microbiota of weaning piglets. A total of 192 crossbred weaned piglets [Duroc × (Large White × Landrace)] (initial body weight = 6.65 ± 0.33 kg, weaned days = 23 ± 1 d) were group housed (six pigs per pen; n = 8 pens/treatment). Pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based control diet or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg RE. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to fed for 21-d. The growth performance and apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients, and intestinal morphology and antioxidant status were evaluated. The components of the microbial microflora were also determined in the cecal samples. Compared with the control, dietary supplementation with RE increased the final body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake (linear, P = 0.038, 0.016, and 0.009, respectively), and decreased the diarrhea ratio in piglets (linear, P &lt; 0.05). The digestibility of crude protein (linear, P = 0.034) and gross energy (linear, P = 0.046) increased with treatment with RE. Piglets fed RE showed longer villus height (linear, P = 0.037 and 0.028, respectively) and villus height/crypt depth (linear, P = 0.004 and 0.012; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.036, respectively) in the jejunum and ileum, in addition to a lesser crypt depth in the jejunum (linear, P = 0.019) and ileum (quadratic, P = 0.042). The addition of RE increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (linear, P = 0.035 and 0.008 respectively) and glutathione peroxidase activity (linear, P = 0.027 and 0.039 respectively), and decreased the content of malondialdehyde (linear, P = 0.041 and 0.013; quadratic, P = 0.023 and 0.005 respectively) in the serum and liver. Dietary RE supplementation, compared with the control, increased the number of Bifidobacterium (linear, P = 0.034) and Bacteroidetes (linear, P = 0.029), while decreased Escherichia coli (linear, P = 0.008; quadratic, P = 0.014) in the cecal contents. Thus, dietary RE supplementation can improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal morphology and the microbiota in weaned piglets, and 200 mg/kg may be considered the optimum dosage.

Changes in small intestinal mucosa morphology and cell renewal in suckling, prolonged-suckling, and weaned lambs

1991 ◽  
Vol 261 (4) ◽  
pp. R811-R818 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Attaix ◽  
J. C. Meslin
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Intestinal Adaptation ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Cell ◽  
Cell Renewal ◽  
Small Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Migration Rates ◽  
Crypt Depth

No information concerning the effect of weaning on intestinal cell proliferation is currently available in large species with early intestinal morphogenesis, a group including most domestic animals and humans. Changes in intestinal morphology and epithelial cell renewal were investigated in 1-, 5-, and 8-wk-old suckling and 8-wk-old weaned lambs after injection of [3H]thymidine. In suckling lambs a gradual increase in crypt depth occurred with age, especially in the proximal intestine, whereas villus height was significantly reduced in the distal regions. At 8 wk of age weaned and prolonged-suckling lambs exhibited no significant differences in crypt depth throughout the intestine and in villus height proximally. However, weaned lambs had shorter villi in the jejunum and ileum. The highest enterocyte migration rates (4.4-9.7 microns/h) were observed in 1-wk-old lambs. In suckling animals, migration rates decreased with age by 60, 51, and 11% in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively. Weaned and prolonged-suckling 8-wk-old lambs had a similar rate of enterocyte migration in the ileum. Furthermore, ruminating animals exhibited only slightly higher migration rates in the duodenum and the jejunum (53 and 15%, respectively). In suckling lambs, epithelial cell renewal required 2.1-4.0, 4.5-6.3, and 4.0-5.3 days at 1, 5, and 8 wk of age, respectively, whereas labeled cells reached the tips of the villi within 3.0-3.1 days in weaned animals. These data suggest that the suckling period corresponds to a gradual and important phase of postnatal intestinal adaptation in the sheep, a species with early patterns of intestinal cell replacement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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 &lt; 0.05). The XOS500 supplementation increased Villus height and Villus height: Crypt depth ratio in the ileum (P &lt; 0.05). Villus Height: Crypt Depth of the ileum was also increased in the CTC treatment group (P &lt; 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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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 &lt; 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 Dietary Montmorillonite Improves the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier and Optimizes the Intestinal Microbial Community of Weaned Piglets

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han Liu ◽  
Congmin Wang ◽  
Xueling Gu ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Cunxi Nie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Community ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Weaned Piglets ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Intestinal Mucosal Barrier ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Mucosal Barrier Function ◽  
The Impact

The study investigated the impact of dietary montmorillonite on the growth performance, intestinal mucosal barrier, and microbial community in weaned piglets with control group (CON) and dietary supplementation of 0.2% montmorillonite (0.2% M). Compared with the CON group, 0.2% M feed in the diet increased the average daily gain (ADG) on days 15–35 and day 1–35 and the average daily feed intake on days 1–35 (ADFI) (0.05 &lt; P &lt; 0.1). Besides, higher villus height of the duodenum and jejunum and lower crypt depth of duodenum and colon were revealed in the 0.2% M group than in the CON group (P &lt; 0.05). Moreover, the V/C (ratio of the villus height and crypt depth) in the 0.2% M group was increased compared to that in the CON group both from the duodenum and ileum (P &lt; 0.05). The relative mRNA expression of mucin-1, ITGB1 (β1-integrins), and PKC (protein kinase C) of ileum in the 0.2% M group were upregulated (P &lt; 0.05) compared to that in the CON group. The digesta sample of ileum from piglets in the 0.2% M group contained greater (P &lt; 0.05) intestinal bacterial diversity and abundances of probiotics, such as Streptococcus, Eubacterium_rectale_group, and Lactobacillus, which could promote the synthesis of carbon-containing biomolecules. Overall, dietary supplementation of 0.2% M was shown to have a tendency to improve the growth performance of weaned piglets and may enhance their intestinal mucosal barrier function via altering the gut microbiota.

Effects of Glutamine on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology and Intestinal Barrier Function of Broilers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. J. Wu ◽  
Z. H. Liu ◽  
C. Jiao ◽  
B. Y. Cheng ◽  
D. D. Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Barrier Function ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Intestinal Barrier ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Intestinal Barrier Function ◽  
Villus Height ◽  
Crypt Depth ◽  
Daily Gain

The effect of glutamine (Gln) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and intestinal barrier function were evaluated in broilers. A total of 320 birds were divided into a control group (CON) and three experimental groups (Gln 1, Gln 2 and Gln 3). Broilers of group CON received basal diet; broilers in group Gln 1, Gln 2 and Gln 3 were supplemented with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5 % Gln, respectively, for 42 days. The results indicated that Gln has no influence on the average daily gain (ADG) among the treatments in the periods of 1 to 21 d, 22 to 42 d and 1 to 42 d (P > 0.05). However, Gln improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed intake: average daily gain (F: G), increased the villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio (V/C) and the activities of sucrose, the ZO1, claudin-1 and occluding mRNA expression levels (P 0.05). Moreover, Gln decreased the crypt depth of jejunum and ileum in broilers at days 21 and 42 (P 0.05). In conclusion, Gln had a positive effect on growth performance and gut parameters by modifying the function of the intestinal mucosa barrier.

scholarly journals Chitosan-zinc chelate improves intestinal structure and mucosal function and decreases apoptosis in ileal mucosal epithelial cells in weaned pigs

2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (8) ◽  
pp. 1405-1411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-Yan Han ◽  
Yuan-Fei Ma ◽  
Meng-Yuan Lv ◽  
Zhi-Peng Wu ◽  
Li-Chun Qian
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Immune Function ◽  
Cell Apoptosis ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Intestinal Morphology ◽  
Secretory Iga ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mucosal Epithelial Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of chitosan (CS)-Zn on intestinal morphology, mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis and mucosal immune function in weanling pigs. A total of 150 weanling barrows with a body weight of 7·2 kg were randomly allocated into five groups. A basal diet without Zn supplementation was used as the control and other four groups were fed the control diet supplemented with 50 or 100 mg/kg of Zn as CS-Zn, 100 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO4 and 3000 mg/kg of Zn as ZnO, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 28 d. The results showed that serum diamine oxidase activities, d-lactate levels and endotoxin contents were lower in pigs fed dietary 100 mg/kg of Zn as CS-Zn or 3000 mg/kg of Zn as ZnO than in pigs fed the control or 100 mg Zn/kg as ZnSO4 diet. The ratios of the villus height:crypt depth of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum were higher in pigs that received 100 mg/kg of Zn as CS-Zn or a high level of Zn as ZnO than in pigs fed the control diet. Moreover, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labelling (TUNEL)-stained ileal epithelial cells were found in the control group, and apoptotic cells did not appear prominently in pigs that received the 100 mg/kg of CS-Zn or ZnO diet. Secretory IgA concentration in ileal mucus was increased in the dietary group that received 100 mg/kg of CS-Zn or ZnO. These results indicated that dietary 100 mg CS-Zn/kg had similar biological effects to dietary 3000 mg ZnO/kg on intestinal morphology, mucosal epithelial cell apoptosis and mucosal immune function.

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