Relationship between the ratio of villous height:crypt depth and gut bacteria counts as well production parameters in broiler chickens

The villous height to crypt depth (V:C) ratio is one of the most significant parameters which is associated with the nutrients’ absorption and greater body weight. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between V:C ratio, gut bacteria counts and production parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 100 individual broilers were randomly selected from a farm with 40,000 Ross 308 chickens and slaughtered for sampling at three different ages including 14, 28 and 37 day old. Villous height and crypt depth were measured for each section of the small intestine to calculate V:C ratio. Intestinal score and gut microbiology including total coliforms, lactic acid bacteria and Salmonella prevalence were assessed. At day 37, besides those parameters, the carcass, breast, legs and wings were taken for weight measurements. Leg and breast color was also measured. Data were statistically analyzed by STATA software to explore the relationship between V:C and those parameters. The results showed the positive correlation between V:C of duodenum and the number of lactic acid bacteria at 28 days of age (P < 0.05). Moreover, the leg yield was negatively related to the V:C ratio of jejunum (P < 0.05). No significant correlations were found between V:C ratio and other parameters. The results indicated the potential of controlling V:C ratio to improve gut health and meat quality of broiler chickens and thus, further studies should be conducted to fully evaluate these correlations.

Changes in the growth, ileal digestibility, intestinal histology, behavior, fatty acid composition of the breast muscles, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens by dietary inclusion of safflower oil and vitamin C

Background The effects of safflower oil and vitamin C (Vit. C) inclusion in broiler chicken diets on the growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility coefficient “AID%” of amino acids, intestinal histology, behavior, carcass traits, fatty acid composition of the breast muscle, antioxidant and immune status for a 35-day feeding period were evaluated. A total of 300 three-day-old Ross chicks (58.25 g ± 0.19) were randomly allotted in a 2 × 3 factorial design consisting of two levels of vitamin C (0 and 400 mg/kg diet) and three levels of safflower oil (0, 5, and 10 g/kg diet). Results An increase in the final body weight, total body weight gain, total feed intake, and the relative growth rate (P < 0.05) were reported by safflower oil and vitamin C inclusion. Dietary supplementation of safflower oil and vitamin C had a positive effect (P < 0.05) on the ingestive, resting, and feather preening behavior. Vitamin C supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the AID% of lysine, threonine, tryptophan, arginine, and valine. Safflower inclusion (10 g/kg) increased (P < 0.05) the AID% of methionine and isoleucine. Safflower oil inclusion increased (P < 0.05) the levels of stearic acid, linoleic acid, saturated fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) in the breast muscle. In contrast, the supplementation of only 10 g of safflower oil/kg diet increased (P = 0.01) the omega-3/omega-6 (ω-3/ω-6) fatty acids ratio. Vit. C supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the CAT serum levels, SOD, and GSH enzymes. Dietary supplementation of safflower oil and vitamin C improved the intestinal histology. They increased the villous height and width, crypt depth, villous height/crypt depth ratio, mucosal thickness, goblet cell count, and intra-epithelium lymphocytic lick cell infiltrations. The serum levels of IgA and complement C3 were increased (P < 0.01) by Vit. C supplementation and prominent in the 400 vit. C + 10 safflower Oil group. Conclusion A dietary combination of safflower oil and vitamin C resulted in improved growth rate, amino acids AID%, intestinal histology, welfare, immune and antioxidant status of birds, and obtaining ω-3 and linoleic acid-enriched breast muscles. The best inclusion level was 400 vit. C + 10 safflower Oil.

Intestinal histology of broiler chickens fed direct fed microbial (RE3) and antibiotics

This study was conducted to compare the effects of using direct fed microbial (RE3) and antibiotics on the gut morphology. Two hundred and forty unsexed, one-day old Marshal strain broiler chicks were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly allotted into three dietary treatments with each treatment replicated four times at 20 birds per replicate making a total of 80 birds per treatment. The experimental design was completely randomized design. The villous height (9.303E2), the crypt depth (1.5053E2) and the muscular thickness (2.2311E2) of the RE3 treated birds were higher (P<0.05) when compared with birds fed with control diet (T1) 8.619E2, 1.3790E2 and 1.9645E2 and the control + antibiotics (T3) 7.0677E2, 1.3331E2 and 1.9027E2 respectively. The observations revealed that birds put on treatment 2 (RE3 probiotics) had better presentation and preservation of the intestinal villi, glands and intestinal wall integrity. It was concluded that supplementation of broilers diets with the direct fed microbial (RE3) will lead to maintenance of intestinal health and better utilization of nutrients to enable full expression of genetic potential.

EFFECT OF ARTEMISIA SPLENDENS POWDER AND EXTRACT ON BROILER CHICKEN’S PERFORMANCE, LYMPHOID ORGAN WEIGHT, GUT MORPHOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMICALS DURING COCCIDIOSIS CHALLENGE.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Artemisia splendens on performance, some serum biochemicals content, lymphoid organs and gut health of broiler chickens challenged with coccidia. This study was conducted at university of Duhok, college of agriculture. A total of 200 day-old Ross 308 chicks were assigned in to 5 treatments (4 replicates pens of 10 birds/pen): unchallenged control (negative control); challenged control (positive control); challenged supplemented with salinomycin in feed (anticoccidial); challenged supplemented with Artemisia splendens in drinking water (AS1) and challenged supplemented with Artemisia splendens in feed (AS2). On day 9, challenged birds were inoculated with 5000 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria. The results showed that on day 24, challenged birds in negative control, anticoccidial AS1 and AS2 had higher weight gain and feed conversion ratio compared to positive control. No significant differences were detected between Birds in AS1, AS2 Anticoccidial and negative control for body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. On day 35, birds in AS1 as negative control and anticoccidial groups had higher (P<0.01) body weight gain and feed conversion ration compared to positive control. Negative control, anticoccidial, AS1 and AS2 birds significantly increased villous height and villous height/crypt depth and decreased crept depth when compared to positive control at day 24. The serum globulin concentration of AS1 birds was significantly higher than birds in negative control, positive control and anticoccidial. In conclusion, these results demonstrated the protective effects of Artemisia splendens against performance during coccidiosis challenge.

A Rabbit Model for Optimization of Amniotic Fluid Components in the EXTrauterine Environment for Newborn Development (EXTEND) System

In this model article, we present a protocol for continuous amniotic fluid exchange in rabbits using a novel system to test the effects of growth factor-deficient, artificial amniotic fluid on bowel development. <b><i>Background:</i></b> Ideally, the EXTrauterine Environment for Neonatal Development (EXTEND) will provide physiologic support to the extreme premature infant. An important component of that environment is the amniotic fluid. Thus, we developed an animal model to study the growth factors found within amniotic fluid and inform design of a synthetic fluid to optimize fetal development. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We designed a model of amniotic fluid exchange within the pregnant rabbit, continuously removing the natural fluid from around 2 fetuses per doe and replacing it with a physiologic electrolyte solution during the final 100 h of gestation. Two fetuses from the contralateral uterine horn were used as sham-operated controls. Thirty-eight fetuses were analyzed, 19 in each group. We analyzed the fetal growth and bowel development. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ultrasound after 100 h of exchange showed equivalent fluid volumes, <i>p</i> = 0.63. Cultures were negative for bacterial colonization. Final fluid protein concentrations were 11.6% that of control fluid (mean 1,451 ± 224.2 vs. 12,491 ± 849.2 μg/mL). There was no significant difference in fetal growth, with experimental weights 91.4% of control weights, <i>p</i> = 0.07. Fetal bowel weights (90.1%, <i>p</i> = 0.16) and lengths (94.2%, <i>p</i> = 0.49) were also not significantly less compared to controls. There was no significant difference in villous height or crypt depth measurements between the groups, and absorptive capacity of the bowel was not different between groups, <i>p</i> = 0.44. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This animal model allows for manipulation of the components of amniotic fluid. Marked reduction of natural amniotic fluid proteins during gestation does not appear to significantly impair fetal growth or bowel development. Further work with this model will assess the importance of amniotic fluid components for normal development to inform design of a synthetic fluid for use during EXTEND.

Dietary Betaine Improves Intestinal Barrier Function and Ameliorates the Impact of Heat Stress in Multiple Vital Organs as Measured by Evans Blue Dye in Broiler Chickens

In a 2 × 2 factorial design, 60 male Ross-308 broilers were fed either a control or 1 g/kg betaine diet and housed under thermoneutral (TN) or heat stress (HS) conditions. Broilers were acclimated to diets for 1 week under TN (25 °C), then either kept at TN or HS, where the temperature increased 8 h/day at 33 °C and 16 h/day at 25 °C for up to 10 days. Respiration rate (RR) was measured at four time points, and on each of 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 days of HS, 12 broilers were injected with 0.5 mg/kg of Evans Blue Dye (EBD) solution to quantify regional changes in tissue damage. Betaine was quantified in tissues, and ileal damage was assessed via morphometry and transepithelial resistance (TER). Heat stress elevated RR (p < 0.001) and resulted in reduced villous height (p = 0.009) and TER (p < 0.001), while dietary betaine lowered RR during HS (p < 0.001), increased betaine distribution into tissues, and improved ileal villous height (p < 0.001) and TER (p = 0.006). Heat stress increased EBD in the muscle and kidney of chickens fed the control diet but not in those receiving betaine. Overall, these data indicate that supplemented betaine is distributed to vital organs and the gastrointestinal tract, where it is associated with improved tolerance of HS. Furthermore, EBD markers help reveal the effects of HS on organs dysfunction.

19 Effects of glutathione on growth performance and intestinal health of piglets

Object: The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of different levels of glutathione (GSH) on growth performance and intestinal health of piglets. Methods: A total of 180 piglets of 21-day-old (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group was fed a standard diet based on NRC 2012. The treatment group 1 - 4 was supplemented with 50, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg GSH. The experiment lasted 28 days. Results: Compared with the control group, 50mg/kg GSH significantly increased the piglet’s skin and gross color, average daily gain (ADG) and decreased feed gain ratio (F/G) (P &lt; 0.05), while the effect of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg GSH was contrary. The supplementation of 50mg/kg GSH significantly increased the mucosal villi height, the ratio of villous height to crypt depth (VH/CD) and decreased the crypt depth (P &lt; 0.05) in duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P &lt; 0.05), while the effect of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg GSH was contrary; The supplementation of 50mg/kg GSH decreased the concentration of triglyceride in plasma (P &lt; 0.05); The supplementation of 50, 100, 200, 400mg/kg GSH had no effect on the antioxidative indexes of blood, but 400mg/kg GSH increased the activities of T-AOC, GSH, SOD and decreased MDA content in jejunum and ileum; 400mg/kg GSH increased the content of T-SOD in liver (P &lt; 0.05), while 50mg/kg GSH had no effect on SOD, GSH-PX, GSH-SOD in intestine and liver (P &gt; 0.05). 50mg/kg GSH significantly increased T-AOC activity and decreased MDA content in muscle (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of 50mg/kg GSH in piglets` diet was the most appropriate and it could significantly improve skin and gross color, growth performance and intestinal mucosal morphology, it also increased the antioxidation ability in muscle of piglets.

92 Postnatal growth retardation impairs intestinal mucosal barrier in piglets

The piglets with postnatal growth retardation (PGR) have high mortality and morbidity during their growth and development. Abnormal development of small intestine is casually implicated in impaired growth, but the exact mechanism still remains poorly understood. Thus, the present study investigated the immune profiles related to intestinal mucosal barrier in PGR and healthy piglets. The plasma sample, middle segments of small intestine, and the intestinal mucosa were obtained from healthy and PGR piglets at 42d of age. Compared to healthy piglets, higher plasma concentrations of diamine oxidase and D-lactate were observed in PGR piglets (P &lt; 0.05). Decreased villous height, ratio of villous height to crypt depth, as well as sparse villi, jagged microvilli were also found in jejunum and ileum of PGR piglets. PGR also decreased the percentage of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells, as well as abundance of Zonula occludens-1, Occludin, Claudin-1, and E-cadherin mRNA and protein in jejunal and ileal mucosa (P &lt; 0.05). The lower concentration of sIgA in jejunal mucosa, and lysozyme in both jejunal and ileal mucosa, but higher level of β-defensins in the ileal mucosa were observed in PGR piglets as compared to healthy piglets (P &lt; 0.05). The percentage of CD68-positive cells were significantly increased, but the levels of P-glycoprotein were decreased in jejunum and ileum from PGR piglets (P &lt; 0.01). Moreover, the expression of proteins involved in p38 MAPK/NF-kB pathway was significantly upregulated in jejunal and ileal mucosa from PGR piglets (P &lt; 0.05). Collectively, these results indicated that the PGR piglets exhibited impaired intestinal integrity, and decreased capacity of mucosal immune function, which may result in severe inflammatory response via the activation of p38 MAPK/NF-kB pathway. Our findings may have important implications in the prevention and treatment of the intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction in piglets.

PSVII-42 Growth performance, gut health, and immune responses of Escherichia coli-challenged weaned pigs fed probiotic-supplemented diets

To evaluate the effects of probiotics on performance and gut health of Escherichia coli-challenged weaned pigs, a total of 28 weaned pigs (initial BW = 8.25 kg) were housed individually in pens and fed 4 experimental diets for 21 d in a completely randomized design. The 4 diets were corn-soybean meal-based basal diet without or with 0.25% antibiotics (neomycin + oxytetracycline), 0.05% Bacillus subtilis DSM 32540, or 0.05% Bacillus pumilus DSM 32539. All pigs were orally challenged with K88 strain of E. coli on d 3. Feed intake and BW data, and blood samples were collected on d 3, 7, 14, and 21. Fecal scores were recorded daily. On d 21, pigs were sacrificed to determine gastrointestinal histomorphology, pH and organ weights. Supplementation of the basal diet with antibiotics or B. pumilus did not affect the overall (d 0 to 21) ADG and G:F. The B. subtilis supplementation did not affect the overall ADG, but tended to increase (P &lt; 0.1) the overall G:F by 15%. Fecal score was unaffected by dietary treatment. Supplementation of the basal diet with either probiotic, but not antibiotics increased (P &lt; 0.05) jejunal villous height and reduced (P &lt; 0.05) cecal digesta pH. Supplementation with B. pumilus tended to increase (P &lt; 0.1) colon weight relative to BW; however, antibiotics or B. subtilis supplementation did not affect colon weight. The addition of B. subtilis to basal diet tended to increase (P &lt; 0.1) serum immunoglobulin A concentration on d 21 of the study; however, such effect was not observed with the addition of antibiotics or B. pumilus. In conclusion, dietary B. subtilis improved G:F and jejunal villous height and reduced cecal digesta pH, indicating that dietary supplementation with B. subtilis at 0.05% could improve growth performance and gut health of weaned pigs.