Kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa), compared with cellulose and psyllium, influences the histology and mucus layer of the gastrointestinal tract in the growing pig.

Kiwifruit (KF) fiber, a mixture of soluble and insoluble fibers, elicits mucosal changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This study aimed to define the nature of these changes in mucosal features throughout the GIT of the growing pig in response to semi-synthetic iso-fiber diets containing cellulose (CEL, low GIT luminal functionality) as the sole fiber source (4.5%), or diets where half of the CEL was replaced by either PSY fiber (PSY husk, high GIT luminal functionality) or KF fiber (consumed as intact fruit). Entire male growing pigs (n = 24, 21 kg bodyweight) received the three diets (n = 8) for 42 d. GIT tissues, digesta, and feces were sampled. The partial replacement of CEL increased (P≤ 0.05) the ileal (KF 22% and PSY 33%) and colonic (PSY 86%) mucus layer thickness, whereas it decreased the rectal crypt depth (KF -26%), and small intestinal (duodenum to ileum) villus length (PSY -17%). The number of duodenal goblet cells was 77% higher (P≤ 0.05) for KF than CEL. Pigs fed the KF-containing diet had greater (P≤ 0.05) apparent ileal organic matter digestibility and apparent total tract organic matter digestibility compared with CEL, but the lowest amount of fermented organic matter in the large intestine. In conclusion, partial substitution of CEL with PSY or KF at a constant, practically-relevant dietary fiber intake, affected several measures of GIT functionality with effects being specific to the added fiber.

Impact of Chronic Levels of Naturally Multi-Contaminated Feed with Fusarium Mycotoxins on Broiler Chickens and Evaluation of the Mitigation Properties of Different Titers of Yeast Cell Wall Extract.

The chronic intake of naturally multi-mycotoxin contaminated feed by broilers with or without titers of Yeast Cell Wall Extract (YCWE, a.k.a Mycosorb A+®), was investigated. Day-old male Cobb chicks (1600 birds, 64 pens, 25 birds/pen) were randomly allocated to diets of control (CON); diet containing mycotoxins (MT); CON + 0.2% YCWE; MT + 0.025% YCWE; MT + 0.05% YCWE; MT + 0.1% YCWE; MT + 0.2% YCWE; and MT + 0.4% YCWE. Growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and gut health were recorded over 42 days. Compared with CON, MT had reduced body weight (BW) and increased feed conversion ratio (FCR) on days 35 and 42 with increased duodenal crypt depth and fewer goblet cells. Furthermore, European Poultry Production Efficiency (EPEF) was reduced for MT versus CON. Feeding MT + 0.2% YCWE improved BW, lowered FCR, reduced crypt depth, increased goblet cell count and improved EPEF. Considering titration of YCWE (0 to 0.4%) during mycotoxin challenge, a cubic effect was observed for FCR with NC + 0.2% YCWE having the lowest FCR. These findings suggest that chronic consumption of multiple Fusarium mycotoxins present in common field concentrations can negatively impact broiler performance and gut health while inclusion of YCWE, particularly 0.2%, could be effective in counteracting mycotoxins.

Feeding dihydroquercetin and vitamin E to broiler chickens reared at standard and high ambient temperatures.

The use of natural antioxidants, in particular polyphenols such as dihydroquercetin (DHQ), in animal nutrition has recently increased in popularity. This may partly be due to the risk of increased incidences of heat stress associated with raising livestock in warmer ambient temperatures, facilitated by global warming, reducing antioxidant capacity. The current research demonstrates the effect of dietary DHQ, vitaminEand standard or high ambient temperatures on growth performance, energy and nutrient metabolism, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, jejunal villus morphometry and antioxidant status in broiler chickens. Each of the four experimental diets was fed to 16 pens of five birds, which were allocated to four rooms (four pens in each room). The temperature in two rooms was maintained at aconstant 35°C (high temperature; HT), and the temperature in the other two rooms was gradually reduced from 27°C at 7 dof age to 22°C at 20 dof age (standard temperature; ST). Rearing birds at HT reduced feed intake, weight gain, weight of small intestine, total GIT, liver, spleen, heart, villus height, villus surface area and lowered blood glutationperoxidase (GSH-Px). Dietary DHQ increased blood GSH-Px and total antioxidant status, increased heart weight and reduced caecal size. When fed separately, DHQ and vitamin E improved hepatic vitamin E concentration. Feeding vitamin Eincreased spleen and liver weights. When fed together, DHQ and vitamin Ereduced villus height, villus height to crypt depth ratio and villus surface area. Temperature and antioxidants did not affect energy and nutrient metabolism. There were no effects of dietary antioxidants on growth performance of broiler chickens and there were no mortalities. At present, it is unclear if feeding antioxidants (in particular DHQ) at different levels, using different dietary formulations, and rearing birds under arange of environmental conditions may be effective at enhancing production performance and bird health in hot ambient climates.

Effects of hydrolyzed cottonseed protein supplementation on performance, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal development, and intestinal microbial colonization in neonatal calves.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of an enzymatically hydrolyzed cottonseed protein (HCSP) as a peptide source on performance, blood metabolites, gastrointestinal development, and intestinal microbes. Forty-eight newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments including 0, 2, 4, and 6% of HCSP (dry matter basis). All calves received the same amount of pasteurized whole milk, weaned on d 56 of the experiment, and the study was concluded on d 70. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) as a randomized complete block design with linear and quadratic contrasts. Results showed that increased amount of HCSP linearly decreased the starter intake during the postweaning (d 57 to 70) and overall period (d 1 to 70). In addition, when dietary HCSP increased during the overall period, average daily gain tended to linearly decrease. All skeletal growth variables also linearly decreased as dietary HCSP increased at the end of the study, except for body length, which did not differ among the treatments. Serum cortisol concentration was higher in calves supplemented with 6% of HCSP at weaning and at the end of the study. This indicates that these calves may have experienced a stressful condition compared with calves in other treatments. Total antioxidant capacity was quadratically affected by HCSP supplementation; calves fed 2 and 4% of HCSP diets had the highest total antioxidant capacity, whereas calves fed 0 and 6% HCSP diets had lower total antioxidant capacity at weaning and at end of the study. Calves supplemented with 6% HCSP had lower empty reticulo-rumen and omasum weights and rumen wall thickness compared with calves in other treatments at the end of the study. In conclusion, supplementation of HCSP at the rate of 2% of starter diet enhanced antioxidant status without any detrimental effects on the performance and metabolic status of calves, whereas greater inclusion rates impaired starter intake and growth of calves, and exposed them to a stressful status.

Sodium butyrate as an effective feed additive to improve growth performance and gastrointestinal development in broilers.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary sodium butyrate (SB) supplementation on growth performance, the development of gastrointestinal tract and immune organs (thymus, spleen and bursa of fabricius), and serum antibody titer after Newcastle disease (ND) vaccination in broilers. The total of 288 1-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to four groups with six replications according to initial body weight. Four treatment groups were designed as follows and fed the indicated diets: CON, basal diet; T1, basal diet supplemented with 0.3 g/kg SB; T2, basal diet supplemented with 0.6 g/kg SB; T3, basal diet supplemented with 1.2 g/kg SB. During days 1-21, broilers fed the T2 diet had higher (p < .05) average daily gain (ADG) than broilers fed the CON diet. On day 21, dietary SB supplementation showed linear increase (p < .05) in relative weight of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, small intestine (the sum weight of duodenum, jejunum and ileum), pancreas and thymus, and linear increase (p < .05) in relative length of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, small intestine (the sum length of duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and caeca. Meanwhile, dietary SB supplementation showed linear increase in the antibody titer against ND on days 14, 21, 28 and 35. In conclusion, dietary SB supplementation improved the development of gastrointestinal by increasing the relative weight and length, as well as enhanced the immune response of ND vaccine.

Nutrient Restriction has Limited Short-Term Effects on Gut, Immunity, and Brain Development in Preterm Pigs.

BACKGROUND: Extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) in preterm infants is associated with higher morbidity and impaired neurodevelopment. Early nutrition support may prevent EUGR in preterm infants, but it is not known if this improves organ development and brain function in the short and long term. OBJECTIVE: Using pigs as models for infants, we hypothesized that diet-induced EUGR impairs gut, immunity, and brain development in preterm neonates during the first weeks after birth. METHODS: Forty-four preterm caesarean-delivered pigs (Danish Landrace × Large White × Duroc, birth weight 975 ± 235 g, male:female ratio 23:21) from 2 sows were fed increasing volumes [32-180 mL/(kg·d)] of dilute bovine milk (EUGR group) or the same diet fortified with powdered bovine colostrum for 19 d (CONT group, 50-100% higher protein and energy intake than the EUGR group). RESULTS: The EUGR pigs showed reduced body growth (-39%, P < 0.01), lower plasma albumin, phosphate, and creatine kinase concentrations (-35 to 14%, P < 0.05), increased cortisol and free iron concentrations (+130 to 700%, P < 0.05), and reduced relative weights of the intestine, liver, and spleen (-38 to 19%, all P < 0.05). The effects of EUGR on gut structure, function, microbiota, and systemic immunity were marginal, although EUGR temporarily increased type 1 helper T cell (Th1) activity (e.g. more blood T cells and higher Th1-related cytokine concentrations on day 8) and reduced colon nutrient fermentation (lower SCFA concentration; -45%, P < 0.01). Further, EUGR pigs showed increased relative brain weights (+19%, P < 0.01), however, memory and learning, as tested in a spatial T-maze, were not affected. CONCLUSION: Most of the measured organ growth, and digestive, immune, and brain functions showed limited effects of diet-induced EUGR in preterm pigs during the first weeks after birth. Likewise, preterm infants may show remarkable physiological adaptation to deficient nutrient supply during the first weeks of life although early life malnutrition may exert negative consequences later.

Effects of dietary calcium pyruvate on gastrointestinal tract development, intestinal health and growth performance of newly weaned piglets fed low-protein diets.

AIM: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary calcium pyruvate supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets fed low-protein diets. METHODS AND RESULTS: After a 7-day adaptation period, 60 individually housed piglets (Duroc × Yorkshire-Landrace) weaned at 28 days of age were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments (20 pigs/treatment) for 28 days: control diet (20·0% crude protein [CP]), low-protein diet (15·5% CP), and experimental (15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate). At the end of the experiment, six piglets from each diet group were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected. Compared with the control group, feeding piglets with 15·5% CP decreased the daily body weight gain; lengths of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; and weights of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0·05), while 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate supplementation removed those differences (P > 0·05). Compared with the control group, the diarrhoea incidence and relative richness of Firmicutes in the colon contents of piglets in both the 15·5% CP and 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate groups was decreased. The relative richness of Bacteriodetes in the colon contents of piglets was higher in the 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate group than in the control and 15·5% CP groups (P < 0·05). CONCLUSION: Calcium pyruvate supplementation for four weeks removed the negative effects of a low-protein diet on the gastrointestinal tract development and daily body weight gain of weaned piglets. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study showed that supplementing a low-protein diet with calcium pyruvate, an effective alternative metabolic fuel to amino acids, was beneficial in improving the intestinal health and maximizing the growth of newly weaned piglets.

[From human pluripotent stem cells to custom-made intestinal organoids]. / Organoïdes (2) - Façonner l'intestin à partir des cellules souches pluripotentes humaines.

The study of gut diseases is often limited by the access to human biological tissues and animal models that do not faithfully mimic the human pathologies. In this context, the development of intestinal organoids from human pluripotent stem cells is paving the way of gastrointestinal physiology and digestive disease study. In this review, we recall the embryonic development of the digestive tract and its translation to human pluripotent stem cell differentiation. We also present the different types of intestinal organoids that can be generated, as well as their applications in research.

TITLE: Façonner l'intestin à partir des cellules souches pluripotentes humaines. ABSTRACT: L'étude des maladies digestives est parfois limitée par l'accès aux tissus de patients et les modèles précliniques ne sont pas toujours fidèles aux pathologies observées chez l'homme. Dans ce contexte, le développement d'organoïdes intestinaux à partir de cellules souches pluripotentes humaines représente une avancée importante dans l'étude des processus physiologiques et des pathologies digestives. Dans cette revue, nous rappelons les étapes majeures du développement du tractus digestif chez l'homme et décrivons le rationnel de la différenciation dirigée des cellules souches pluripotentes humaines. Nous faisons également un état des lieux sur les différents types d'organoïdes intestinaux existants et leurs applications en recherche fondamentale et préclinique. Enfin, nous discutons des opportunités offertes par les organoïdes intestinaux humains dans un contexte de médecine de précision et de médecine réparatrice.

Effects of ad libitum milk replacer feeding and butyrate supplementation on the epithelial growth and development of the gastrointestinal tract in Holstein calves.

Intensive milk feeding and butyrate supplementation in calves stimulate body growth and affect gastrointestinal development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the synergistic effects of ad libitum milk replacer (MR) feeding and butyrate supplementation of MR on rumen and small intestinal growth and on gene expression in the small intestine related to growth and energy metabolism at weaning. Male Holstein calves (n = 32) received colostrum from birth to d 3 of age and MR either ad libitum (Adl) or restrictively (Res; 6 L of MR/d; 12.5% solids) with (AdlB+, ResB+) or without (AdlB-, ResB-) 0.24% butyrate from d 4 until wk 8 of age. From wk 9 to 10, all calves were weaned and were fed 2 L/d until the end of the trial. Concentrate, hay, and water were freely available. At d 80, calves were slaughtered, volatile fatty acids were measured in rumen fluid, and rumen and small intestine samples were taken for histomorphometric measurements. The expression of mRNA associated with the local insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system and glucose metabolism as well as lactase and maltase activities were measured in the intestinal mucosa. The small intestine was 3 m longer in Adl than in Res. In the atrium ruminis, papilla width was greater in Res than in Adl. Villus circumference, cut surface, and height in the duodenum, proximal jejunum, and ileum were greater in Adl than in Res and in the proximal, mid, and distal jejunum and ileum were greater in calves treated with butyrate. Crypt depth in the duodenum and proximal jejunum was greater in Adl than in Res and in the ileum was smaller in calves treated with butyrate. The villus height:crypt depth ratio was greatest in AdlB+ calves. In the proximal and mid jejunum, IGF1 mRNA abundance was lower in calves treated with butyrate. In the proximal jejunum, INSR mRNA abundance was greater in Res than in Adl. The abundance of PCK2 mRNA was greater in Res than in Adl in the duodenum and was greatest in ResB- in the mid jejunum. Lactase activity tended to be greater in Res than in Adl and after butyrate treatment in the proximal jejunum. The results indicated an elevated growth of the small intestinal mucosa at weaning due to intensive milk feeding and butyrate supplementation, and the local IGF system was involved in intestinal growth regulation. Rumen development was not affected by butyrate supplementation of MR and was slightly delayed due to ad libitum MR feeding.

Kynurenic acid as the neglected ingredient of commercial baby formulas.

The global increase in resorting to artificial nutritional formulas replacing breastfeeding has been identified among the complex causes of the obesity epidemic in infants and children. One of the factors recently recognized to influence metabolism and weight gain is kynurenic acid (KYNA), an agonist of G protein-coupled receptor (GPR35). Therefore the aim of the study was to determine the concentration of KYNA in artificial nutritional formulas in comparison with its level in human breast milk and to evaluate developmental changes in rats exposed to KYNA enriched diet during the time of breastfeeding. KYNA levels were measured in milk samples from 25 heathy breast-feeding women during the first six months after labor and were compared with 21 time-adjusted nutritional formulas. Animal experiments were performed on male Wistar rats. KYNA was administered in drinking water. The content of KYNA in human milk increases more than 13 times during the time of breastfeeding while its level is significantly lower in artificial formulas. KYNA was detected in breast milk of rats and it was found that the supplementation of rat maternal diet with KYNA in drinking water results in its increase in maternal milk. By means of the immunoblotting technique, GPR35 was evidenced in the mucosa of the jejunum of 1-day-old rats and distinct morphological changes in the jejunum of 21-day-old rats fed by mothers exposed to water supplemented with KYNA were found. A significant reduction of body weight gain of rats postnatally exposed to KYNA supplementation without changes in total body surface and bone mineral density was observed. The rat offspring fed with breast milk with artificially enhanced KYNA content demonstrated a lower mass gain during the first 21 days of life, which indicates that KYNA may act as an anti-obesogen. Further studies are, therefore, warranted to investigate the mechanisms regulating KYNA secretion via breast milk, as well as the influence of breast milk KYNA on mass gain. In the context of lifelong obesity observed worldwide in children fed artificially, our results imply that insufficient amount of KYNA in baby formulas could be considered as one of the factors associated with increased mass gain.

Influence of beak trimming and inclusion of sodium butyrate in the diet on growth performance and digestive tract traits of brown-egg pullets differing in initial body weight.

We studied the effects of beak trimming and sodium-butyrate inclusion in the diet on growth performance and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) traits of brown-egg pullets differing in initial BW. In experiment 1, a total of 6 treatments were organized as a 2 × 3 factorial with 2 BW at hatch (light, 33.9 g and heavy, 37.6 g) and 3 beak trimming protocols [mild (MI-0) or aggressive (AG-0) infrared power setting at hatch and traditional hot blade at 8 D of age (HB-8)] as main effects. Initial BW did not affect growth performance or GIT traits at any age. From hatch to 5 wk of age, HB-8 pullets had lower ADFI (P < 0.01) and ADG (P < 0.05) than MI-0 and AG-0 pullets but no differences were detected after this age. Beak trimming did not affect FCR, BW uniformity, GIT traits, or bacteria count in the excreta at any age. In experiment 2, a total of 12 treatments were organized as a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial, with 2 BW at hatch, 3 beak trimming protocol (as per in experiment 1), and 2 levels of a sodium-butyrate additive (0 vs. 0.3%) as main effects. At 7 D of life, beak treatment reduced pullet growth and AG-0 procedure impaired pullet uniformity (P < 0.001) but the birds recovered completely by day 14 (P < 0.001 for the interaction with time). Cumulatively (0 to 6 wk of age), pullets beak treated at hatch (MI-0 and AG-0) had greater ADFI than HB-8 pullets (P < 0.01). Sodium butyrate tended to improve ADG (P = 0.073) and FCR (P = 0.069) with most of the benefits observed for the first 2 wk of life. In summary, initial BW and beak trimming procedure did not affect final pullet growth in any of the 2 experiments, or GIT traits in experiment 1. Sodium butyrate tended to improve growth and FCR from 0 to 6 wk of age but did not affect BW uniformity.

The Preterm Gut Microbiota: An Inconspicuous Challenge in Nutritional Neonatal Care.

The nutritional requirements of preterm infants are unique and challenging to meet in neonatal care, yet crucial for their growth, development and health. Normally, the gut microbiota has distinct metabolic capacities, making their role in metabolism of dietary components indispensable. In preterm infants, variation in microbiota composition is introduced while facing a unique set of environmental conditions. However, the effect of such variation on the microbiota's metabolic capacity and on the preterm infant's growth and development remains unresolved. In this review, we will provide a holistic overview on the development of the preterm gut microbiota and the unique environmental conditions contributing to this, in addition to maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system in preterm infants. The role of prematurity, as well as the role of human milk, in the developmental processes is emphasized. Current research stresses the early life gut microbiota as cornerstone for simultaneous development of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Besides that, literature provides clues that prematurity affects growth and development. As such, this review is concluded with our hypothesis that prematurity of the gut microbiota may be an inconspicuous clinical challenge in achieving optimal feeding besides traditional challenges, such as preterm breast milk composition, high nutritional requirements and immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract and immune system. A better understanding of the metabolic capacity of the gut microbiota and its impact on gut and immune maturation in preterm infants could complement current feeding regimens in future neonatal care and thereby facilitate growth, development and health in preterm infants.

Milk restriction or oligosaccharide supplementation in calves improves compensatory gain and digestive tract development without changing hormone levels.

We estimated the effect of oligosaccharide supplementation and feed restriction on calves. The study was divided into two experimental periods of 28 days each with 20 crossbred calves that had initial body weight of 37 Kg and housed in individual pens. The animals were split in four experimental groups: animals fed 6 L milk/day (CON) in the two periods, animals fed milk restricted (3 L milk/day) in the first period and followed by CON feeding in the second period (RES), animals receiving supplementation of 5 g/day of mannanoligosaccharide (MOS) and animals receiving supplementation of 5 g/day mannan and frutoligosaccharide (MFOS). At the end of the study, all the animals were slaughtered. The average weight gain was lower in the restricted group when compared with CON and MFOS groups in the first period (P < 0.05) and there were no difference among the groups in the second period. Animals supplemented with MOS showed a significant increases in jejunal villus height and rumen papillae, which were not observed for MFOS group (P < 0.05) compared with RES and CON groups. There were no difference in ghrelin and leptin levels among treatments during periods 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). Also, the expression of ghrelin receptors in the paraventricular region of the hypothalamus did not differ among groups. We conclude that milk restriction during the first weeks of life in calves resulted in compensatory gain and did not modify the hormonal profile and expression of the ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus. Moreover, a prebiotic supplementation changed the development of intestinal and ruminal epithelium.

Early-Life Nutrition and Gut Immune Development.

Gut immune function conditions the development of local and systemic diseases that result from defects in immune regulation, such as inflammatory bowel disease, allergy and obesity. As epidemiological studies support the developmental origin of health and disease, deciphering the critical factors modulating gut immune development should allow the advance of primary prevention strategies specifically adapted to the early-life immune system. Here, we will review gut mucosal immunity development and cover in more detail the recent understanding of the impact of early nutrition on this process. We will emphasize how nutrition can shape microbiota composition and metabolic function and thereby the production of metabolites with immune-modulatory properties. We will also focus on the role of dietary compounds recently demonstrated to be essential in immune development and function, such as dietary antigens, vitamin A, and aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands. Finally, we will discuss that early-life physiologic food for mammals contains factors capable of compensating for neonatal immune deficiencies, but also factors that are decisive for immune maturation towards a maternal milk-independent and efficient immune system.

Effect of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics and gastrointestinal tract development of geese.

Cassava foliage is a by-product of cassava and has been widely used in animal feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we investigated the effects of cassava foliage on the performance, carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development of geese. A total of 108 28-day-old Hainan indigenous male geese with similar body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups with 6 pens of 6 geese per group and fed for 42 D on either the control diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran or the experimental diet of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% or 10% cassava foliage, respectively. On day 70, their body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass characteristics, and gastrointestinal tract development were compared. The results showed that cassava foliage diet significantly improved goose's BW (P < 0.05), ADG (P < 0.05), and ADFI (P < 0.05), affected carcass characteristics such as relative meat content (P < 0.05) and abdominal fat content (P < 0.05), and facilitated goose's gastrointestinal tract development. These findings suggested that incorporating cassava foliage into the diet of geese (day 28-70) could have positive effects, and supplementing 5% cassava foliage was more beneficial than 10%.

Effects of dietary leucine and phenylalanine on gastrointestinal development and small intestinal enzyme activities in milk-fed holstein dairy calves.

This study was investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of leucine and phenylalanine on the development of the gastrointestinal tract and the intestinal digestive enzyme activity in male Holstein dairy calves. Twenty calves with a body weight of 38 ± 3 kg at 1 day of age were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a leucine group (1.435 g·l-1), a phenylalanine group (0.725 g·l-1), and a mixed amino acid group (1.435 g·l-1 leucine plus 0.725 g·l-1 phenylalanine). The supplementation of leucine decreased the short-circuit current (Isc) of the rumen and duodenum (P<0.01); phenylalanine did not show any influence on the Isc of rumen and duodenum (P>0.05), and also counteracted the Isc reduction caused by leucine. Leucine increased the trypsin activity at the 20% relative site of the small intestine (P<0.05). There was no difference in the activity of α-amylase and of lactase in the small intestinal chyme among four treatments (P>0.05). The trypsin activity in the anterior segment of the small intestine was higher than other segments, whereas the α-amylase activity in the posterior segment of the small intestine was higher than other segments. Leucine can reduce Isc of the rumen and duodenum, improve the development of the gastrointestinal tract, and enhance trypsin activity; phenylalanine could inhibit the effect of leucine in promoting intestinal development.

Bovine Milk Oligosaccharides with Sialyllactose for Preterm Piglets.

Oligosaccharides support gut development and bacterial colonization in term infants, but it is unknown if they benefit preterm infants. Using preterm pigs, we investigated effects of bovine milk supplements enriched with oligosaccharides to improve gut development and colonization. Caesarean-delivered preterm pigs (n = 57) were reared for 19 days. The pigs were fed bovine milk supplemented with an oligosaccharide-enriched whey containing sialyllactose, or a heterogeneous oligosaccharide ingredient. To evaluate the influence of artificial rearing, near-term, vaginally born pigs raised by their sow (n = 12) were compared with artificially reared, caesarean-delivered near-term pigs (n = 14). In preterm pigs, the clinical outcome, gut function, gut microbiota, and systemic immunity were similar among dietary treatments. Natural rearing increased growth rates, gut functions, colon short chain fatty acid concentrations and bacterial diversity, relative to artificial rearing. In conclusion, supplements with bovine milk oligosaccharides were well tolerated, but did not improve gut maturation or clinical outcomes in artificially reared preterm piglets. Immaturity at birth, coupled with artificial rearing, may render the neonate unresponsive to the gut-protective effects of milk oligosaccharides. Whether bovine milk oligosaccharides may affect other endpoints (e.g., brain functions) in conditions of immaturity remains to be investigated.

Lactoferrin: A Critical Player in Neonatal Host Defense.

Newborn infants are at a high risk for infection due to an under-developed immune system, and human milk has been shown to exhibit substantial anti-infective properties that serve to bolster neonatal defenses against multiple infections. Lactoferrin is the dominant whey protein in human milk and has been demonstrated to perform a wide array of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory functions and play a critical role in protecting the newborn infant from infection. This review summarizes data describing the structure and important functions performed by lactoferrin in protecting the neonate from infection and contributing to the maturation of the newborn innate and adaptive immune systems. We also briefly discuss clinical trials examining the utility of lactoferrin supplementation in the prevention of sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis in newborn infants. The data reviewed provide rationale for the continuation of studies to examine the effects of lactoferrin administration on the prevention of sepsis in the neonate.

Dietary supplementation with flaxseed meal and oat hulls modulates intestinal histomorphometric characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota in pigs.

The establishment of a healthy gastrointestinal milieu may not only offer an opportunity to reduce swine production costs but could also open the way for a lifetime of human health improvement. This study investigates the effects of feeding soluble fibre from flaxseed meal-containing diet (FM) and insoluble fibre from oat hulls-containing diet (OH) on histomorphological characteristics, digesta- and mucosa-associated microbiota and their associations with metabolites in pig intestines. In comparison with the control (CON) and OH diets, the consumption of FM increased (P < 0.001) the jejunal villi height (VH) and the ratio of VH to crypt depths. The PERMANOVA analyses showed distinct (P < 0.05) microbial communities in ileal digesta and mucosa, and caecal mucosa in CON and FM-diets fed pigs compared to the OH diet-fed pigs. The predicted functional metagenomes indicated that amino acids and butanoate metabolism, lysine degradation, bile acids biosynthesis, and apoptosis were selectively enhanced at more than 2.2 log-folds in intestinal microbiota of pigs fed the FM diet. Taken together, flaxseed meal and oat hulls supplementation in growing pigs' diets altered the gastrointestinal development, as well as the composition and function of microbial communities, depending on the intestinal segment and physicochemical property of the dietary fibre source.