Morphology of the small intestinal mucosal surface of broilers in relation to age, diet formulation, small intestinal microflora and performance.

1. Three experiments were performed to relate morphological characteristics of the small intestinal mucosal surface to age, dietary factors, small intenstinal microflora and performance of broilers. Characterisation of the small intestinal mucosal surface using a dissecting microscope was based on the orientation of the villi, villus shape and the presence of convoluted villi.

Morphometry of the small intestine in pigs with ileo-rectal anastomosis.

Ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA), which is frequently used to measure prececal digestibility in pigs, could induce some disturbances of the normal absorptive function. Our aim was to investigate the effects of different IRA surgical procedures on the main histologic characteristics of the small intestine in pigs. The 4 different IRA procedures compared to intact pigs (INT) were the following: either end to end (EE) or end to side (ES) with or without preservation of the ileocecal valve (EEV, EE, ESV, ES respectively).

Dietary effects of faba-bean (Vicia faba L.) tannins on the morphology and function of the small-intestinal mucosa of weaned pigs.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate effects of condensed tannins in faba beans (Vicia faba L.) on morphological and functional variables of the small-intestinal mucosa of piglets. In an experiment with young piglets (8-17 kg body weight), fed on either a control diet or a diet containing 200 g/kg of low- or high-tannin faba bean hulls (with < 0.

Tight junctional structure and permeability of porcine jejunum after enterotoxic Escherichia coli infection.

Tight junctional structure and macromolecular permeability were tested in four three-week-old piglets, experimentally infected with the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain O149 K91 K88. Histologically, only minor microscopic evidence of inflammation and little or no architectural changes in the jejunal mucosa were observed. A significant decrease in tight junctional strand numbers occurred, without a concomitant decrease in tight junctional depth.

[Possible significance of spiral-shaped bacteria in the etiology of abomasal ulcers in adult cattle].

Enzyme-chemical and histological evaluations were used to examine the abomasal mucosa of adult cattle with or without mucosal lesions of the corpus. Urease activity was detected with the CLO (Campylobacter-like organisms) test in the abomasal mucosa of all cattle except one, which had mucosal lesions. Spiral-shaped bacteria were visualised histologically in the mucus layer, with the highest number being found in the pars pylorica.

Intestinal permeability in pigs during rotavirus infection.

Macromolecular permeability of the small intestine was tested in four 3-week-old gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with porcine rotavirus strain RV277 (group A). Pigs were administered 125I-labeled polyvinylpyrrolidone (molecular weight [mol wt], 40,000) orally 1 day before and 2 and 24 hours after virus inoculation, and blood samples were obtained every 6 hours. Eight hours after rotavirus inoculation, pigs had watery diarrhea.

Interaction of legume lectins with the cellular metabolism of differentiated Caco-2 cells.

The binding of the legume lectins Phaseolus vulgaris E4 and L4, Glycine max agglutinin, Vicia faba agglutinin, and Pisum sativum agglutinin to intact differentiated Caco-2 cells and to brush border membranes of differentiated Caco-2 cells was investigated, and their impact on the cellular metabolism and the microvilli of these cells was assessed. P. vulgaris isolectin E4 showed the most intense staining after binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled lectin to intact Caco-2 cells.

Thickening of the glycocalyx during methotrexate induced small intestinal mucosal atrophy in the rat.

In this study, the morphology of the glycocalyx of small intestinal enterocytes in the rat was investigated after the induction of mucosal atrophy by methotrexate (MTX) in 18 Wistar rats. On the 2nd, 4th and 6th day after the intraperitoneal administration of MTX, a group of 6 rats was sacrificed and tissue specimens taken at the level of the Treitz' ligament were post fixed in a mixture of 2.0% watery osmiumtetroxide and 1.

[Veterinary pathology: a vital specialism within veterinary medicine].

Pathology is by definition an entity of major importance in medical science. Within medical care, pathologists are involved in cytopathological, histopathological and post mortem examinations. The value of post mortem examinations is discussed with reference to the value of the autopsy within human medical science.

Intestinal permeability in piglets during transmissible gastroenteritis.

Macromolecular permeability of the small intestine was tested in seven three-week-old piglets infected with porcine transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE-strain Miller). Fourteen hours after the infection, the piglets showed loss of appetite and a profuse diarrhoea. In some animals vomiting occurred somewhat earlier.

Binding of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) isolectins to differentiated human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells and their effect on cellular metabolism.

The binding of Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA) isolectins L4 and E4 to the brush border membrane of differentiated Caco-2 cells was studied and the impact on cellular metabolism and microvilli was assessed. Computer analysis of the data based on binding experiments with peroxidase conjugated isolectins gave mean (SD) values for maximal binding of 2540 (151).10(-9) M for PHA-L4 and 2104 (140).

[Changes in the histochemical composition of mucins in goblet cells in the course of a Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in the rat].

Rats were infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, and changes in the histochemical composition of mucins in jejunal goblet cells were investigated. Ten days after infection, mitotic activity was extensively in jejunal crypts: both crypts and villi were characterised by hyperplasia of goblet cells. Infected rats had a markedly greater number of crypt and villi goblet cells containing neutral mucin than the control rats did.

Effect of variable protein contents in diets containing Phaseolus vulgaris beans on performance, organ weights and blood variables in piglets, rats and chickens.

A comparison was made of the effects of antinutritional factors present in Phaseolus vulgaris on piglets, rats and chickens. Also the hypothesis of whether the negative effect on weight gain due to the inclusion of raw Phaseolus vulgaris in the diet can be attributed to an insufficient supply of amino acids was tested. Test diets containing 200 g raw Phaseolus beans/kg were balanced for digestible protein and amino acids; in one diet extra casein was incorporated.

Pathologic changes of the small intestinal mucosa of pigs after feeding Phaseolus vulgaris beans.

The jejunal mucosa of pigs fed diets containing Phaseolus vulgaris beans was characterized grossly as mucosal atrophy and microscopically as atrophy and blunting of the villus in association with elongation of crypts with cells with increased mitotic activity. These morphologic findings were most severe in the proximal and middle parts of the jejunum. Compared to controls, goblet cells were significantly decreased in the villus but markedly increased in the crypt region.

Intraruminal administration of milk in the calf as a model for ruminal drinking: morphological and enzymatical changes in the jejunal mucosa.

In order to develop a calf model for studying the syndrome of ruminal drinking (RD) in veal calves, three dual-fistulated calves were used to test the effect of intraruminal administration of milk replacer on the jejunal mucosa. Biopsies of the proximal jejunal mucosa were taken through a jejunal fistula and the mucosal morphology and the activities of two brush border enzymes, lactase and alkaline phosphatase, were determined. Means of villus length and brush border enzyme activities decreased during the period of intraruminal administration of milk.

The interaction between plant lectins and the small intestinal epithelium: a primary cause of intestinal disturbance.

The literature concerning the effects of plant lectins on the small intestinal epithelium is reviewed. It appears that after oral intake, intact plant lectins can reach the small intestinal lumen. Their binding to the mucosal surface evokes an increased synthesis of glycoproteins and a degeneration of the intestinal epithelium.

Actin cytoskeletal lesions in differentiated human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cells after exposure to soybean agglutinin.

We have investigated the effects of soybean agglutinin on the cytoskeletal element actin in differentiated Caco-2 cells. The actin cytoskeleton of the cells was visualized by fluorescence microscopy using 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole phallacidin as a specific marker for F-actin. Compared with control Caco-2 cells no changes in the fluorescence pattern were observed after incubation with soybean agglutinin.

Intestinal permeability to polyethylene glycol 4000 and porcine albumin in piglets infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

The intestinal permeability of specific pathogen free piglets has been studied by measuring the concentration of 14C in the blood after oral administration of 14C polyethylene glycol (14C PEG, MW = 4000) and the concentration of 131I in the faeces after intraperitoneal administration of 131I porcine albumin (131I PA, MW = 68,000). The tests were performed one day before and up to two days after the piglets were infected with transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus. Jejunal biopsies were taken from two piglets before the experimental infection, from two piglets 12 h after the experimental infection and from five piglets at the end of the experiment, 46 h after infection.

Villus atrophy in ruminal drinking calves and mucosal restoration after reconditioning.

The effect of reconditioning therapy on 7 chronic ruminal drinking veal calves is described. Two calves that were persistent ruminal drinkers were used as controls. In addition to clinical parameters, the morphological features of proximal jejunum biopsies were used to monitor the effect of therapy.

Conjunctivitis, red nose and skin hypersensitivity as signs of food allergy in veal calves.

The severity of diarrhoea and the degree of hyperaemia of the conjunctiva and nose were recorded in veal calves being fattened on either cows milk or milk-replacer. A skin-prick test using the milk-replacer as antigen was also performed. Control calves received only their mother's milk.

Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: histochemical changes in the composition of mucins in goblet cells during infection in rats.

Changes in the quality of mucins in jejunal goblet cells were investigated during an infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis in rats. At 10 days after infection, when proliferative activity in the crypts is excessive and both crypts and villi are characterized by hyperplasia of goblet cells, the histochemical composition of the population of goblet cells in comparison with controls shows a marked increase in crypt and villous goblet cells containing neutral mucins. At 15 days after infection both crypts and villi display a significant increase in goblet cells containing acid mucin and decrease in goblet cells containing neutral mucin.

Histochemical changes in the composition of mucins in goblet cells during methotrexate-induced mucosal atrophy in rats.

Changes in the composition of mucins in jejunal goblet cells were investigated histochemically after a single intraperitoneal injection of methotrexate in rats (40 mg methotrexate/kg body weight). At 48 h after injection of methotrexate, when mitotic activity in the crypts approximates to zero, an almost complete disappearance of mucin-containing goblet cells can be observed. At 96h, when proliferative activity in crypts is excessive, neutral mucin- and sialomucin-containing goblet cells dominate in the crypts, whereas in controls the crypts display sulphomucin-containing goblet cells.

Gastrointestinal food allergy and its role in large domestic animals.

The significance of food allergy as a primary cause for gastrointestinal disturbances in domestic animals, especially calves and piglets, is discussed. The immunological backgrounds and pathogenesis are described in some detail. The clinical and pathological manifestations in animals are related to those in man.

Intestinal permeability to macromolecules in piglets infected with transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

The permeability of the intestine of specific pathogen free piglets was investigated by measuring the concentration of 125-I in the blood after oral administration of 125-I polyvinylpyrrolidone (125-I PVP, MW = 40,000 Da) and the concentration of 131-I in the faeces after intravenous administration of 131-I porcine albumin (131-I PA, MW = 68,000 Da). The tests were performed one day before and up to two days after the piglets were infected with the Miller strain of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus. Biopsies of the jejunum were taken at the end of the experiment and blood samples were taken six-hourly.