Hao Zhang1, Yueping Chen2, Yue Li3, Tao Zhang4, Zhixiong Ying3, Weipeng Su3, Lili Zhang3, Tian Wang5. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Postdoctoral Research Station of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China; Postdoctoral Research Station of Food Science and Engineering, College of Food Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 3. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. 4. Nutrition and Care, Evonik Degussa (China) Co., Ltd., Beijing, People's Republic of China. 5. College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: tianwangnjau@163.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary l-threonine supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal immune function, mucin synthesis, and goblet cell differentiation in weanling piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). METHODS: Eighteen litters of newborn piglets were selected at birth, with one normal birthweight (NBW) and two IUGR piglets in each litter. At weaning, the NBW piglet and one of the IUGR piglets were assigned to groups fed a basal diet (i.e., the NBW-CON and IUGR-CON groups). The other IUGR piglet was assigned to a group fed the basal diet supplemented with 2 g l-threonine per kg of diet (i.e., IUGR-Thr group). Therefore, all piglets were distributed across three groups for a 3-wk feeding trial. RESULTS: Compared with NBW, IUGR decreased growth performance, increased ileal proinflammatory cytokine levels, and reduced ileal mucin 2 (Muc2) content and goblet cell density of weanling piglets. Supplementation of l-threonine increased the feed efficiency of the IUGR-Thr group compared with the IUGR-CON group. The l-threonine-supplemented diet attenuated ileal inflammatory responses of the IUGR-Thr piglets and increased production of Muc2 and secretory immunoglobulin A and density of goblet cells. In addition, L-threonine supplementation downregulated δ-like 1 and hes family bHLH transcription factor 1, whereas growth factor independence 1 and Kruppel-like factor 4 expression levels were upregulated. CONCLUSION: Dietary l-threonine supplementation attenuates inflammatory responses, facilitates Muc2 synthesis, and promotes goblet cell differentiation in the ileum of IUGR piglets.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary l-threonine supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal immune function, mucin synthesis, and goblet cell differentiation in weanling piglets with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). METHODS: Eighteen litters of newborn piglets were selected at birth, with one normal birthweight (NBW) and two IUGR piglets in each litter. At weaning, the NBW piglet and one of the IUGR piglets were assigned to groups fed a basal diet (i.e., the NBW-CON and IUGR-CON groups). The other IUGR piglet was assigned to a group fed the basal diet supplemented with 2 g l-threonine per kg of diet (i.e., IUGR-Thr group). Therefore, all piglets were distributed across three groups for a 3-wk feeding trial. RESULTS: Compared with NBW, IUGR decreased growth performance, increased ileal proinflammatory cytokine levels, and reduced ileal mucin 2 (Muc2) content and goblet cell density of weanling piglets. Supplementation of l-threonine increased the feed efficiency of the IUGR-Thr group compared with the IUGR-CON group. The l-threonine-supplemented diet attenuated ileal inflammatory responses of the IUGR-Thr piglets and increased production of Muc2 and secretory immunoglobulin A and density of goblet cells. In addition, L-threonine supplementation downregulated δ-like 1 and hes family bHLH transcription factor 1, whereas growth factor independence 1 and Kruppel-like factor 4 expression levels were upregulated. CONCLUSION: Dietary l-threonine supplementation attenuates inflammatory responses, facilitates Muc2 synthesis, and promotes goblet cell differentiation in the ileum of IUGR piglets.
Authors: Nuria Canibe; Ole Højberg; Hanne Kongsted; Darya Vodolazska; Charlotte Lauridsen; Tina Skau Nielsen; Anna A Schönherz Journal: Animals (Basel) Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 3.231