RESUMEN
To test the hypothesis that a low molecular weight fraction of colostral whey could affect the morphology and barrier function of the small intestine, 30 3-d-old piglets (normal or low birth weight) were suckled (n = 5), artificially fed with milk formula (n = 5), or artificially fed with milk formula with a low molecular weight fraction of colostral whey (n = 5) until 10 d of age. The small intestine was sampled for histology (haematoxylin and eosin stain; anti-KI67 immunohistochemistry) and enzyme activities (aminopeptidase A, aminopeptidase N, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, lactase, maltase, and sucrase). In addition, intestinal permeability was evaluated via a dual sugar absorption test and via the measurement of occludin abundance. Artificially feeding of piglets reduced final BW (P < 0.001), villus height (P < 0.001), lactase (P < 0.001), and dipeptidylpeptidase IV activities (P < 0.07), whereas crypt depth (P < 0.001) was increased. No difference was observed with regard to the permeability measurements when comparing artificially fed with naturally suckling piglets. Supplementing piglets with the colostral whey fraction did not affect BW, enzyme activities, or the outcome of the dual sugar absorption test. On the contrary, the small intestines of supplemented piglets had even shorter villi (P = 0.001) than unsupplemented piglets and contained more occludin (P = 0.002). In conclusion, at 10 d of age, no differences regarding intestinal morphology and permeability measurements were observed between the 2 BW categories. In both weight categories, the colostral whey fraction affected the morphology of the small intestine but did not improve the growth performances or the in vivo permeability. These findings should be acknowledged when developing formulated milk for neonatal animals with the aim of improving the performance of low birth weight piglets.
Asunto(s)
Animales Recién Nacidos , Calostro/química , Dieta/veterinaria , Suplementos Dietéticos , Mucosa Intestinal/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas de la Leche/farmacología , Sus scrofa/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Bovinos , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión/veterinaria , Femenino , Mucosa Intestinal/crecimiento & desarrollo , Intestino Delgado/anatomía & histología , Intestino Delgado/enzimología , Proteínas de la Leche/análisis , Permeabilidad/efectos de los fármacos , Embarazo , Espectrometría de Masa por Láser de Matriz Asistida de Ionización Desorción/veterinaria , Proteína de Suero de LecheRESUMEN
To test the hypothesis that the mucosal maturation of the small intestine is altered in low birth weight piglets, pairs of naturally suckled low birth weight (LBW, n = 20) and normal birth weight (NBW, n = 20) littermate piglets were selected and sampled after 0, 3, 10, and 28 d of suckling. In vivo intestinal permeability was evaluated via a lactulose-mannitol absorption test. Other indirect measurements for mucosal barrier functioning included sampling for histology and immunohistochemistry (intestinal trefoil factor [ITF]), measuring intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) activity, and immunoblotting for occludin, caspase-3, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The lactulose-mannitol ratio did not differ between NBW and LBW piglets, but a significant increase in this ratio was observed in 28-d-old piglets (P = 0.001). Small intestinal villus height did not differ with age (P = 0.02) or birth weight (P = 0.20). In contrast, villus width (P = 0.02) and crypt depth (P < 0.05) increased gradually with age, but no birth-weight-related differences were observed. LBW piglets had significantly (P = 0.03) more ITF immunoreactive positive cells per villus area compared to NBW piglets, whereas no age (P = 0.82) or region-related (P = 0.13) differences could be observed. The activity of IAP in the small intestine was higher in newborn piglets compared to the older piglets. No significant differences in cell proliferation in the small intestine was observed (P = 0.47) between NBW and LBW piglets; the highest proliferation was seen in piglets of 28 d of age (P = 0.01). Newborn piglets had significantly fewer apoptotic cells, whereas more apoptotic cells were seen in piglets of 10 d of age (P < 0.01). In conclusion, birth weight did not affect the parameters related to intestinal barrier function investigated in this study, suggesting that the mucosal barrier function is not altered in LBW piglets. Nevertheless, these results confirm that the mucosal barrier function in the small intestine of piglets alters with age.
Asunto(s)
Peso al Nacer/fisiología , Mucosa Intestinal/crecimiento & desarrollo , Intestino Delgado/fisiología , Sus scrofa/anatomía & histología , Sus scrofa/fisiología , Factores de Edad , Animales , Caspasa 3/metabolismo , Absorción Gastrointestinal/fisiología , Immunoblotting/veterinaria , Inmunohistoquímica/veterinaria , Mucosa Intestinal/citología , Mucosa Intestinal/fisiología , Lactulosa , Manitol , Ocludina/metabolismo , Péptidos/metabolismo , Permeabilidad , Antígeno Nuclear de Célula en Proliferación/metabolismo , Factor Trefoil-2RESUMEN
Perinatal mortality is high among small-for-gestational age (SGA) piglets and continues to be an economic burden and threat to animal welfare. As the physiological role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in perinatal development and gastrointestinal function in the pig remains unknown, the aim of this study was to assess the enteric distribution of 5-HT cells and to determine 5-HT together with its precursor tryptophan in the serum of perinatal normal and SGA piglets. For this purpose, proximal and distal parts of the small intestine (SI) were processed for immunohistochemical analysis to assess the presence of 5-HT endocrine cells. Serum 5-HT was measured with ELISA, whereas its precursor, that is, the free fraction of tryptophan (FFT) together with albumin-bound tryptophan and total tryptophan, were analysed with HPLC in postnatal piglets. In addition, the morphological growth patterns of the different intestinal tissue layers of both normal and SGA piglets were stereologically analysed. The stereological volume density of 5-HT enteroendocrine cells showed a significant interaction effect between age and region. Indeed, the amount of 5-HT cells in both the proximal and distal part of the SI tended to decrease according to age, with the lowest values detected at day 3 postpartum. No differences could be observed related to BW. Interestingly, the serum concentration of 5-HT was higher in normal piglets compared with SGA piglets. Moreover, the ratio of FFT to total tryptophan was significantly affected by age and BW. Normal piglets had, on average, a lower FFT/total tryptophan ratio compared with SGA piglets. An approximate linear decrease was observed with increasing age. Finally, the immaturity of the intestinal system of the SGA piglets was not reflected in altered volume densities of the different intestinal layers. To conclude, although no BW effect could be detected in the distribution of enteric 5-HT cells, serum 5-HT and the ratio of FFT to total tryptophan ratio showed significant differences between normal piglets and their SGA littermates.
Asunto(s)
Animales Recién Nacidos/fisiología , Intestino Delgado/metabolismo , Serotonina/metabolismo , Porcinos/fisiología , Triptófano/metabolismo , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos/anatomía & histología , Peso al Nacer , Femenino , Embarazo , Serotonina/sangre , Porcinos/anatomía & histología , Triptófano/sangreRESUMEN
Selection for hyperprolific sows, as a means of increasing litter size and profit, has resulted in an increased number of low-birthweight (LBW) piglets. These LBW piglets might suffer from increased morbidity and mortality during the early neonatal period. In addition, they show reduced growth performance, meat and carcass quality, which leads to an important economic loss for the farmer in the post-natal period. Therefore, nutritional interventions can be undertaken to prevent and rear LBW piglets. In the first part of this review, the preventive strategies at the sow level will be discussed. Approaches in preventing LBW piglets are to optimize the intrauterine environment via supplementing the sow during gestation. In the second part of this review, the interventions at the piglet level will be described. To increase the survival and growth rates of LBW piglets, one must focus on ensuring adequate colostrum and milk intake. Interventions include supplementing piglets, split nursing, split weaning and cross-fostering. Additional interventions increasing the probability of optimal post-natal food intake will be discussed.
Asunto(s)
Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Recién Nacido de Bajo Peso , Fenómenos Fisiologicos Nutricionales Maternos , Porcinos , Crianza de Animales Domésticos , Animales , Femenino , EmbarazoAsunto(s)
Animales Recién Nacidos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Peso al Nacer , Intestino Delgado/fisiología , Porcinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos/fisiología , Proteínas del Choque Térmico HSP72/genética , Proteínas del Choque Térmico HSP72/metabolismo , Porcinos/genética , Porcinos/fisiologíaRESUMEN
Ghrelin, the 'hunger' hormone, is an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue that exerts a wide range of physiological functions. Its perinatal presence suggests that ghrelin might be involved in growth and metabolism processes during intrauterine and postnatal life. Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) neonates have altered endocrine and metabolic pathways because of malnutrition during foetal development. These changes might include an altered gastrointestinal presence of ghrelin cells (GCs). As ghrelin is mainly secreted by the stomach, this altered presence might be reflected in its serum concentrations. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) pigs appear to be a natural occurring model for IUGR children. Therefore, the first aim of this study was to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal GCs expressing active ghrelin in normal weight (NW) foetal and postnatal piglets compared with their SGA littermates using immunohistochemical analysis in combination with stereological methods. Second, total ghrelin serum concentrations of these piglets were analysed with a porcine radioactive immunoassay. In addition, the growth of the gastric pars fundica in the NW and SGA piglets was analysed stereologically. Corresponding with humans and rats, it was shown that opened- and closed-type immunoreactive GCs are distributed along the entire gastrointestinal tract of the perinatal NW and SGA piglets. However, in contrast to the rat's stomach, the porcine GCs do not disperse from the glandular base to the glandular neck during perinatal development. Furthermore, stereological analysis demonstrated that the NW neonates have a higher amount of gastric cells expressing active ghrelin compared with the SGA piglets that could result in higher milk consumption during the neonatal period. This finding is, however, not reflected in total serum ghrelin levels, which showed no difference between the NW and SGA piglets. Moreover, the stereological volume densities of the fundic layers demonstrate a similar growth pattern in the SGA and NW piglets.
Asunto(s)
Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Ghrelina/metabolismo , Recién Nacido de Bajo Peso , Porcinos/fisiología , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Femenino , Retardo del Crecimiento Fetal , Ghrelina/sangre , Ghrelina/genética , EmbarazoRESUMEN
Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamin (5-HT)] is abundantly present in intestinal enteroendocrine cells and neurons and plays a crucial role in gastrointestinal functions (i.e., motility and mucosal secretion). Increased concentrations of 5-HT and its precursor l-Trp are present in plasma and brain tissues in case of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Therefore, 5-HT might be involved in the impaired gastrointestinal function associated with IUGR. Small-for-gestational-age (SGA) piglets have been widely used as animal model for IUGR. Hence, the density of intestinal 5-HT cells in fetal and neonatal SGA piglets was compared with serotonergic cell density in normal weight (NW) littermates. Furthermore, 5-HT serum concentrations of the neonatal piglets were analyzed. Stereological analysis showed that fetal piglets have higher (P < 0.01) volume densities of 5-HT enteroendocrine cells compared to 3-d-old piglets irrespective of BW. Serum concentrations did not differ in relation to postnatal age (P = 0.637) and BW (P = 0.892). These results contrast with serum and brain 5-HT and l-Trp levels in human and guinea pig SGA individuals and seemingly contest the fact that 5-HT plays an important role in gut impairment in SGA.
Asunto(s)
Regulación del Desarrollo de la Expresión Génica/fisiología , Intestinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Serotonina/sangre , Serotonina/metabolismo , Porcinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Envejecimiento , Animales , Femenino , Peso Fetal , Embarazo , Serotonina/genética , Porcinos/embriología , Porcinos/fisiología , Triptófano/metabolismoRESUMEN
Within-litter birth weight variation is adversely correlated to piglet survival and postnatal growth. A less efficient epithelial barrier function in light piglets may partly explain this inverse relationship between birth weight and zootechnical performance. A compromised epithelial barrier increases paracellular permeability; consequently, toxins, allergenic compounds, or bacteria may enter systemic circulation and induce inflammatory responses. Dietary effects on function of gut epithelium of piglet are largely unknown. This study investigated epithelial barrier function of the small intestine of normal birth weight (NBW) piglets (1.46 ± 0.10 kg) and low birth weight (LBW) piglets (<1 kg at birth) in relation to their diet. Sixteen pairs of 3-d-old LBW and NBW piglets were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a sow-fed control group euthanized at day 3 of age (SOW3), piglets sow fed until day 10 (SOW10), and formula-fed piglets fed formula from day 3 until day 10 (FOR10). To measure gut permeability, piglets were dosed intragastrically with 0.75 g lactulose/kg BW and 0.3 g mannitol/kg BW 4 h before euthanasia. Urinary sugar excretion was measured using enzymatic spectrophotometry. Irrespective of birth weight, lactulose levels of FOR10 (4.4 ± 2.3 mmol/L) tended to be lower (P = 0.07) than SOW10 (26.4 ± 10.2 mmol/L) indicating a reduced paracellular intestinal permeability in FOR10. This reduction was associated with a 6-fold elevated (P < 0.01) protein expression of occludin, an important tight junction protein, in FOR10 compared to SOW10. Mannitol levels in FOR10 (31.0 ± 18.2 mmol/L) did not differ (P = 0.28) from SOW10 (61.1 ± 10.2 mmol/L). However, shorter villi (P < 0.01) in FOR10 indicated a reduced absorptive capacity. In conclusion, formula feeding caused minor symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction compared to sow-fed piglets irrespective of their birth weight.
Asunto(s)
Alimentación Animal/análisis , Intestinos/efectos de los fármacos , Intestinos/fisiología , Porcinos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Porcinos/fisiología , Fenómenos Fisiológicos Nutricionales de los Animales , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Dieta/veterinaria , PermeabilidadRESUMEN
We studied the presence of lymphangiogenesis in lymph node (LN) metastases of breast cancer. Lymph vessels were present in 52 of 61 (85.2%) metastatically involved LNs vs 26 of 104 (25.0%) uninvolved LNs (P<0.001). Furthermore, median intra- and perinodal lymphatic endothelial cell proliferation fractions were higher in metastatically involved LNs (P<0.001). This is the first report demonstrating lymphangiogenesis in LN metastases of cancer in general and breast cancer in particular.