Publikationsdatenbank

Influence of oral glutamine supplementation on piglet jejunal immunological parameters at the end of the suckling period (2021)

Art

Vortrag

Autoren

Schulze Holthausen, Johannes (WE 4)

Sciascia, Quentin, Leon

Schregel, Johannes

Metges, Cornelia Christiane

Zentek, Jürgen (WE 4)

Kongress

ESVCN Congress 2021

09. – 11.09.2021

Quelle

Sprache

Englisch

Kontakt

Institut für Tierernährung

Königin-Luise-Str. 49
14195 Berlin
+49 30 838 52256
tierernaehrung@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Introduction. The conditionally essential amino acid glutamine (GLN) may improve immune system development in weaned piglets [1]. Low birthweight piglets (LBW) typically face a higher risk of mortality before weaning [2] due to impaired jejunal function and development [3]. The aim of this study was to assess the persistent effects of GLN supplementation on jejunal specific immunity and gene expression in LBW suckling piglets.

Animals, materials and methods. At birth (day (d) 1), pairs of LBW (0.8 - 1.2 kg) and normal birth weight (NBW) (1.4 - 1.8 kg) male littermates born to gilts were selected. The piglets received an oral treatment of either: GLN = 1 g/kg bodyweight; or an isonitrogenous amount of L-alanine (ALA) = 1.22 g/kg. In total, four different groups were studied: (LBW+GLN; NBW+GLN; LBW+ALA; NBW+ALA) (n = 12 / group). Piglets were orally supplemented 3 x daily from 2 d until 12 d of age. Piglets suckled throughout the study and had access to creep feed from 14 d of age. Animals were euthanized at 26 d of life (n = 48) and a section of jejunal tissue was fixed in formalin. The remaining tissue was snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C for the analysis of target mRNA abundance. CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) were analysed in jejunal villi and IgA positive stained cells in the lamina propria of jejunum were quantified via immunohistochemistry. Total RNA was extracted from ground jejunal tissue samples and cDNA synthesized for qPCR analysis of target mRNA. Data were analysed by multivariate ANOVA followed by Tukey-post hoc test for normally distributed data, the Kruskal-Wallis-Test was used for non-parametric data. Relative mRNA abundance was assessed using the REST 2009 software.

Results and discussion. LBW+GLN piglets showed a tendency for higher numbers of jejunal IEL CD3+ cells (p < 0.074) compared to LBW+ALA. Significantly higher numbers of IEL CD3+ cells were observed in GLN piglets compared to ALA independent of birth weight (p < 0.002). LBW piglets tended to have lower numbers of IEL CD3+ cells compared to NBW, independent of supplementation (p < 0.066). The abundance of TGF-β mRNA was significantly lower in LBW+GLN (p < 0.003) and LBW+ALA (p < 0.043) compared to their NBW littermates. In LBW+GLN piglets the abundance of MUC13 (p < 0.049) was higher than in LBW+ALA. Significantly higher MUC1 and MUC13 (p < 0.009, p < 0.033), IL10 (p < 0.004) and TGF-β (p < 10e-6) and a trend for lower TLR4 (p < 0.070) mRNA abundance was observed in LBW compared the NBW piglets, independent of supplementation. No differences in IgA positive stained cells were recorded.

Conclusion. Gln supplementation from 2 – 12 d of life is associated with improved jejunal primary immune defence between LBW offspring; however, Gln does not appear to compensate for the effect of birth weight.

References. [1] Wang et al. (2008) J of Nutr 138, 1025-1032; [2] Hales et al. (2013) J of Anim. Sci. 91, 4991-5003; [3] D'Inca et al. (2011) Neonat. 99, 208-16