ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to assess the addition of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) to diets on the count of bacterial populations, pH of digestive organ contents, histopathological description, proinflammatory markers, hepatic glycogen reserve, and diarrhoea incidence of piglets challenged with Escherichia coli. Sixty-four crossbred piglets (7.16±0.28 kg body weight, 25-days-old) were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomised block design: negative control (NC), NC + antibiotic (ANT), NC + 15 mg IAP, or NC + 30 mg IAP kg−1 of diet, eight replications of two piglets per experimental unit. All piglets were orally challenged with 6 mL of a solution containing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 at 106 CFU mL−1 at 15 days of experimentation. The study lasted for 19 days. At the end of the experimental period, the piglets were slaughtered (six animals per treatment). Enterobacteriaceae in caecum and colon was lower in piglets on 30 mg IAP than with ANT and NC, ANT or 15 mg IAP, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae adhered to the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) was greater in piglets fed ANT than the other treatments. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) count in caecum was greater in piglets fed NC and ANT. In MLN, LAB count was greater in ANT and 30 mg IAP-fed piglets compared with 15 mg IAP. Piglets in 30 mg IAP in diet showed a tendency for lowering tissue necrosis compared with NC or ANT. Piglets fed 30 mg IAP showed a reduction in diarrhoea incidence in the pre- and post-challenge compared with 15 mg IAP and all other treatments, respectively. Based on the criteria, addition of 30 mg IAP to diet inhibits Enterobacteriaceae population and suggests a potential effect in mitigating intestinal injuries, as observed in piglets in the NC for some of the parameters investigated.

ABSTRACT The intestinal gene expression of RelA/p65 (NF-κB), insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), and Na+/dependent glucose transporter 1 (SGLT1) were evaluated in response to benzoic acid, yeast culture, L-glutamine, and oregano essential oil, using an ex vivo model. Six piglets weighing approximately 20 kg each were sacrificed, and their jejunum was collected and segmented into five 2-cm explants. Each explant was immersed in cell culture medium according to one of the following treatments: control (without additive), 0.5% benzoic acid, 1% yeast culture, 1% L-glutamine, and 0.015% oregano oil. Gene expression was evaluated using RT-PCR. Yeast culture up-regulated the gene expression of RelA/p65, IGF-1, GLUT2, and SGLT1 in comparison with control. In addition, jejunal exposure to L-glutamine and oregano oil increased mRNA levels of GLUT2 compared with the control treatment. Exposure to oregano oil increased intestinal SGLT1 gene expression, while benzoic acid reduced SGLT1 expression compared with the control. Feed additives can differently modulate the gene expression of immune response, gut development, and glucose absorption in jejunal explants. These findings can contribute for a better understanding of the trophic action of these feed additives into the diets to optimize animal performance.

Resumo Objetivou-se neste estudo identificar e determinar a prevalência de espécies de Eimeria que parasitam ovinos criados extensivamente em região semi-árida. Amostras de fezes de ovinos nativos foram coletados durante as estações chuvosa e seca. O grau de infecção foi determinado pela contagem de oocistos por grama de fezes (OoPG)e o método morfométrico foi utilizado para a identificação das espécies. Foram encontrados oocistos em todas os rebanhos avaliados e observou-se que 68,3% dos animais estavam infectados. A prevalência de oocistos foi influenciada pela estação climática e pela categoria dos animais (P<0,05), sendo mais alta durante a estação chuvosa em relação a estação seca (80,2% vs. 55,8%) e em animais jovens em relação aos animais adultos (68,2% vs. 39,6%). O OoPG foi menor durante a estação seca (1.269 ± 312 vs. 4.400 ± 1.122). Dez espécies foram encontradas sendo a E. ovinoidalis, E. granulosa, E. faurei, e E. crandallis as mais frequentes. E. ovinoidalis e E. crandallis foram encontrados em todas as propriedades, com prevalências de 19,4% e 13,6%, respectivamente. A alta prevalência de espécies patogênicas mostra que eimeriose é um risco para os animais criados extensivamente na região semiárida.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify and determine the prevalence of Eimeria species affecting sheep raised extensively in a semiarid region of Brazil. Fecal samples of native sheep were collected during the rainy and dry seasons. The degree of infection was determined by counting oocysts per gram (OPG) of feces, and the morphometric method was used for species identification. Oocysts were found in all the properties assessed, in which 68.3% of the animals were infected. The prevalence of oocysts was influenced by the season and animal category (P<0.05). It was higher during the rainy season than the dry season (80.2% vs. 55.8%) and highest in young animals than the adults animals (68.2% vs. 39.6%). The OPG was lower during the dry season (1,269 ± 312 vs. 4,400 ± 1,122). Ten species were found; of these, E. ovinoidalis, E. granulosa, E. faurei, and E. crandallis were the most frequent. E. ovinoidalis and E. crandallis were found in all properties, with their prevalences being 19.4% and 13.6% respectively. The high prevalence of pathogenic species shows that eimeriosis is a risk for animals raised extensively in the semiarid region.

Foi conduzido um experimento para avaliar a adição de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos sobre desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria dos órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal de leitões desmamados. Foram utilizados 90 leitões, com idade média de 21 dias e peso médio inicial de 6,35±0,34kg. Os leitões foram distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados completos, com cinco tratamentos, seis repetições por tratamento e três animais por unidade experimental. As dietas experimentais consistiam de: Controle - dieta basal sem antibiótico; Antibiótico - dieta basal com 40mg kg-1 de sulfato de colistina; Aditivo: 1000, 1500 e 2000mg kg-1 de uma combinação de butirato de sódio + extrato vegetal + nucleotídeos. No 35o dia de experimentação, foi eutanasiado um animal por gaiola (unidade experimental) para avaliar o pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) para desempenho, pH do conteúdo digestório, morfometria de órgãos e histologia do epitélio intestinal por meio das análises de polinômios ortogonais ou mesmo pelos contrastes. A combinação de butirato de sódio, extratos vegetais e nucleotídeos não melhorou as características produtivas de leitões desmamados.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the addition of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides on weanling pig performance, digestive content pH, organ morphometry, and intestinal epithelial histology. A total of 90 piglets at 21 days of age and an average initial weight of 6.35±0.34kg were used. The piglets were distributed in a randomized complete block design with five treatments, six replicates, and three animals per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of the following: Control: basal diet without antibiotic; Antibiotic: basal diet with 40mg kg-1 colistin sulfate and Additive: 1000, 1500 and 2000mg kg-1 of a combination of sodium butyrate + plant extracts + nucleotides. The experiment lasted 35 days, at which time one animal was slaughtered to assess pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs and histology of the intestinal epithelium. No differences were found (P>0.05) in the performance, pH of the digestive contents, morphometry of the organs or histology of the intestinal epithelium by the analysis of orthogonal polynomials or contrasts. The combination of sodium butyrate, plant extracts and nucleotides not improved the productive characteristics of weanling pigs.