Nutritional Regulation of Gut Barrier Integrity in Weaning Piglets

Simple Summary Weaning is a very stressful period in the piglet's life in intensive farming: it is a sudden process occurring between three to four weeks of age, when the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is still immature. The GIT is formed by the epithelial, immune and enteric nervous system which controls epithelial barrier integrity as well as gut functions including the transport of luminal nutrients, water and electrolytes. Early weaning is characterized by a breakdown of these gut functions, an increase in intestinal permeability and the appearance of gastrointestinal functional disorders, which can have long-lasting consequences in the pig's life. Weaning, therefore, requires the correct level of nutrients, high quality ingredients, and management, which are directed primarily at encouraging rapid feed intake whilst reducing mortality and morbidity. This review describes the organization of the GIT and highlights the interactions between feed components and the morphology and physiology of the epithelial barrier. Novel dietary strategies focused on improving gut health are also discussed, considering the impacts of selected feed ingredients or additives on the GIT such as functional amino acids, phytochemicals and organic acids. Abstract Weaning is very stressful for piglets and leads to alterations in the intestinal barrier, a reduction in nutrient absorption and a higher susceptibility to intestinal diseases with heavy economic losses. This review describes the structures involved in the intestinal barrier: the epithelial barrier, immune barrier and the enteric nervous system. Here, new insights into the interactions between feed components and the physiology and morphology of the epithelial barrier are highlighted. Dietary strategies focused on improving gut health are also described including amino acids, phytochemicals and organic acids

Seaweeds in pig nutrition

Seaweeds are macroalgae, with different sizes, colors and composition. They consist of brown algae, red algae and green algae, which all have a different chemical composition and bioactive molecule content. The polysaccharides, laminarin and fucoidan are commonly present in brown seaweeds, ulvans are found in green seaweeds and, red algae contain a large amount of carrageenans. These bioactive compounds may have several positive effects on health in livestock. In order to reduce the antimicrobials used in livestock, research has recently focused on finding natural and sustainable molecules that boost animal performance and health. The present study thus summarizes research on the dietary integration of seaweeds in swine. In particular the influence on growth performance, nutrients digestibility, prebiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities were considered. The review highlights that brown seaweeds seem to be a promising dietary intervention in pigs in order to boost the immune system, antioxidant status and gut health. Data on the use of green seaweeds as a dietary supplementation seems to be lacking at present and merit further investigation

Reductions in the number of mid-sized antral follicles are associated with markers of premature ovarian senescence in dairy cows

High-producing dairy cows are subfertile; however, the mechanisms responsible for the decreased fertility are unknown. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that culled dairy cows (4\u20138 years old) characterised by \u2018Lo\u2019 ovaries (i.e. those with <10 mid-antral follicles) are affected by premature ovarian senescence. Cows in which both ovaries were \u2018Lo\u2019 ovaries represented 5% of the total population analysed, and exhibited reduced ovarian size (P < 0.001) and increased perifollicular stroma (P < 0.05) compared with age-matched controls (i.e. cows in which both ovaries had >10 mid-antral follicles; \u2018Hi\u2019 ovaries). The total number of follicles, including healthy and atretic primordial, primary, secondary and small antral follicles, was lower in Lo ovaries (P < 0.01). Interestingly, the primordial follicle population in Lo ovaries was lower (P < 0.05) than in the control. Finally, the follicular fluid of mid-antral follicles from Lo ovaries had reduced oestradiol and anti-M\ufcllerian hormone levels (P < 0.05), but increased progesterone concentrations (P < 0.05). Together, these data account for the reduced fertility of cows with Lo ovaries and are in agreement with previous observations that oocytes isolated from Lo ovaries have reduced embryonic developmental competence. Cows with a specific Lo ovary condition may represent a suitable model to address the causes of low fertility in high-yielding dairy cows, as well as the condition of premature ovarian aging in single-ovulating species

Localization of DNA methyltransferase-1 during oocyte differentiation, in vitro maturation and early embryonic development in cow

DNA methyltransferase-1 (Dnmt1) is involved in the maintenance of DNA methylation patterns and is crucial for normal mammalian development. The aim of the present study was to assess the localization of Dnmt1 in cow, during the latest phases of oocyte differentiation and during the early stages of segmentation. Dnmt1 expression and localization were assessed in oocytes according to the chromatin configuration, which in turn provides an important epigenetic mechanism for the control of global gene expression and represents a morphological marker of oocyte differentiation. We found that the initial chromatin condensation was accompanied by a slight increase in the level of global DNA methylation, as assessed by 5-methyl-cytosine immunostaining followed by laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis (LSCM). RT-PCR confirmed the presence of Dnmt1 transcripts throughout this phase of oocyte differentiation. Analogously, Dnmt1 immunodetection and LSCM indicated that the protein was always present and localized in the cytoplasm, regardless the chromatin configuration and the level of global DNA methylation. Moreover, our data indicate that while Dnmt1 is retained in the cytoplasm in metaphase II stage oocytes and zygotes, it enters the nuclei of 8-16 cell stage embryos. As suggested in mouse, the functional meaning of the presence of Dnmt1 in the bovine embryo nuclei could be the maintainement of the methylation pattern of imprinted genes. In conclusion, the present work provides useful elements for the study of Dnmt1 function during the late stage of oocyte differentiation, maturation and early embryonic development in mammals

Advances in the anatomic study of the interscapular region of the cat

New clinical oriented approaches are supported by the integration of advanced imaging techniques, e.g. computed tomography and magnetic resonance, with gross anatomy imaging. The interscapular region of the cat is a typical site of a highly invasive infiltrative pathology, i.e. Feline Injection-Site Sarcoma. Even if chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been considered as pre-surgical therapies, extensive surgery is still the recommended treatment. Evidence suggested that the relationships between muscles, infiltrative mass and adjacent musculoskeletal structures could change according to the forelimb positions: a fact to be duly considered while planning the surgical approach. Anatomic and tomographic atlases provide only images of the interscapular region from cats positioned with their forelimbs extended cranially, which means that, they do not record musculoskeletal modifications due to the forelimb movements. Aim of this study was to provide detailed images of the changes occurring in the musculoskeletal structures of the interscapular region of cats according to their forelimb position by comparing cross-sectional gross anatomy, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Meat composition, from microscopy to chemistry by way of diagnostic imaging

MEAT COMPOSITION, FROM MICROSCOPY TO CHEMISTRY BY WAY OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING S.C. Modina1, E. Trevisi2, C. Bernardi1, M. Di Giancamillo3 1Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Universit\ue0 degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy 2Institute of Zootechnics, Faculty of Agriculture, Universit\ue0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, 29122 Piacenza, Italy 3Department of Veterinary Science and Public Health, Universit\ue0 degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 10, 20133 Milano, Italy E-mail: [email protected] The increasing demand of a real-time monitoring of food products has encouraged the application of non-invasive techniques. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) proved to be very accurate and valuable tools in estimating body and carcass composition in farm animals.1 CT has been successfully used for the characterization of food Italian products such as salami, providing a precise evaluation of fat percentage, also assessing its spatial distribution.2 Manzocco and colleagues demonstrated that MRI has great potential in monitoring the evolution of dry curing in S. Daniele hams.3In our experience, helical CT proved to be a fast tool in the classification of different meat cuts, deriving from adult cow and destined for the preparation of aircured products as \u201clean meat\u201d or \u201cfat meat\u201d, both in fresh and frozen samples. Histological studies confirmed that CT clearly distinguishes adipose and connective tissue infiltration within muscles and that semi-quantitative analysis of infiltration degree can be achieved. These data were further supported by the chemical analysis of meat samples corresponding to the same region of interest observed in both CT and histologic investigations; dry matter, crude proteins, crude fat and ash contents, calculated following standard international methods,4 varied in fact depending on the fat infiltrated extent, according with CT images. We finally observed that CT could be used in the evaluation of the same products at the end of ripening, without removing the outer envelope. These results are important for beef and meat industrial processing sector, suggesting that CT could be employed as an on-line instrument in abattoir and dry-cured meat industry in classifying the products at the beginning of the manufacturing even they are frozen. Moreover, it might represent a rapid and non-invasive technique for quality check at the end of the production line and for the assignment of the most appropriate nutritional and commercial value to different products. References 1. Scholz AM et al. Animal. 2015; 9: 1250 2. Frisullo P et al. Journal of Food Engineering. 2009; 94: 283 3. Manzocco L et al. Food Chem. 2013;141(3):2246 4. AOAC International 2012. Official Methods of Analysis. 19th ed. AOAC International Gaithersburg, M

Role of gap junction-mediated communications in regulating large-scale chromatin configuration remodeling and embryonic developmental competence acquisition in fully grown bovine oocyte

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that gap junction mediated communications (GJC) are required to allow the progressive chromatin configuration remodeling (from GV1 to GV3) process to occur in fully grown oocytes in order to gain the final step of developmental competence acquisition, and that a premature disruption of GJC can alter this process. METHODS: Bovine cumulus-oocytes complexes collected from medium antral follicles were cultured for 2, 4, 6 and 8 h in the presence of 10-4 IU/ml of r-hFSH and with 2 mM of the non-selective PDE inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine (IBMX) to prevent meiotic resumption. GJC functionality and chromatin configuration were monitored during the culture period. After meiotic arrest, the developmental capability of oocytes was assessed after IVM and IVF. RESULTS: IBMX was effective in significantly sustaining GJC up to 6 h and maintaining meiotic arrest, when compared to control group. Moreover, the percentage of oocytes with less condensed chromatin (GV1) decreased within 4 h of culture, while the proportion of GV2 oocytes gradually increased up to 6 h. Interestingly, a decline in the proportion of GV2 oocytes and an increase in the proportion of GV3 oocytes were observed after 6 h of culture, when the major drop of GJC occurred. On the contrary, when GJC were uncoupled by adding 3 mM of 1-heptanol or through cumulus cells removal, chromatin condensation occurred rapidly throughout the culture period, more promptly in denuded oocytes. Moreover, the maintenance of GJC during meiotic arrest was accompanied by a significant increase of developmental competence compared to the control, as indicated by a higher percentage of hatched blastocysts and blastocyst cell number. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, our data indicate that both paracrine and junctional mechanisms are involved in modulating large-scale chromatin structure during the final phase of oocyte differentiation

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide system is involved in the defective quality of bovine oocytes from low mid-antral follicle count ovaries

In a previous survey concerning cows of reproductive age, we demonstrated that oocytes isolated from ovaries with 10 medium antral follicles (High ovaries, Hi). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether a defective endothelial nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (eNOS/NO) system and vasculature in healthy medium antral follicles is likely to reduce oocyte competence from Lo ovaries. Thus, experiments were conducted to: (1) immunolocalize eNOS protein during folliculogenesis; (2) quantify eNOS protein/vasculature in the follicle wall; and (3) verify if NO donor, S-nitroso acetyl penicillamine (SNAP) administration during in vitro maturation affects developmental competence of oocytes isolated from Lo ovaries. Endothelial-NOS protein was detected in granulosa and theca cells, as well as in blood vessels from primordial to antral follicles. Quantitative analysis indicated that in medium antral follicles from Lo ovaries, eNOS protein expression and vasculature were reduced (P < 0.05). The addition of SNAP improved blastocyst and hatching rates of oocytes from Lo ovaries, promoting a percentage similar to oocytes from Hi ovaries, and reduced the percentage of apoptotic nuclei in in vitro-produced blastocysts (P < 0.05). Results from our study suggest that in bovine ovaries with low mid antral follicle number, a defective eNOS/NO system is related to a reduced follicle vasculature and may impact oocyte quality, thus inducing a premature decline of fertility

Novel contributions in canine craniometry : anatomic and radiographic measurements in newborn puppies

The largest differences in intraspecific head shape among the Carnivora order are to be found in dogs. Based on their skull morphotypes, dog breeds are currently classified as dolichocephalic, mesaticephalic and brachycephalic. Due to the fact that some breeds have not been yet defined, this classification is incomplete; moreover, multi-breed studies on the skull morphology of puppies have never been performed. The aim of this work was to verify (i) whether differences in the skull conformation of purebred puppies are already present within the first week of age; (ii) whether radiographic and anatomic measures could be considered interchangeable, and (iii) to possibly classify puppies from non-categorized breeds thanks to their radiographic cranial measurements using neural nets. One hundred and thirty-seven dead puppies aged 0-7 days were examined considering their anatomic and radiographic measures. All linear measures and anatomic indices significantly differed among brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic puppies. Radiographic indices, with the exception of CI, identified the three skull morphotypes (p<0.05, for all comparisons). Radiographic and anatomic measures proved to be non-interchangeable in newborn puppies. Finally, nineteen puppies belonging to 5 non-categorized breeds could be classified thanks to neural nets in the three skull morphotypes with different probability (P between 0,66 and 0,95)

Cartilage canals in newborn dogs : histochemical and immunohistochemical findings

Cartilage canals (CCs) are microscopic structures involved in secondary ossification centers (SOCs) development. The features of CCs were investigated in the humeral and femoral proximal epiphyses of small-sized newborn dogs (from premature to 28 days after birth) with histochemical and immunohistochemical approaches. Masson's Trichrome revealed a ring-shaped area around CCs, which changes in colour from green (immature collagen) to red (mature collagen) as ossification progresses; perichondrium staining always matched the ring colour. Safranin-O was always negative. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed immunopositivity for both collagen type I and V around the CCs; collagen type II was negative. CCs count showed a tendency to be higher in the humerus than in the femur. This work enlightened for the first time changes in composition of CCs surrounding matrix during SOCs development in dogs, paving the way to further investigations