title: Effects of feeding vitamin A and lactoferrin on epithelium of lymphoid tissues of intestine of neonatal calves.
abstract: Circulating levels of vitamin A (retinol) and lactoferrin (Lf) are low in calves at birth. Bovine colostrum contains relatively high amounts of vitamin A and Lf, and both substances are intestinally absorbed by neonatal calves. There is evidence that these compounds interact with insulin-like growth factor binding proteins and thus influence the status and effects of insulin-like growth factor. The hypothesis was therefore tested that vitamin A and Lf influence epithelial growth, development, and absorptive capacity of the small and large intestine and modulate intestinal immune tissues (Peyer's patches; PP). Four groups of calves (n = 7 per group) were fed a milk-based formula with or without vitamin A and (or) Lf. Group F received formula (F) only; group F(A) was fed F supplemented with vitamin A; group F(L) was fed F supplemented with Lf, and group F(AL) received F plus vitamin A plus Lf. An additional group of calves (group C; n = 7) served as positive control and was fed colostrum (C) from pooled milk obtained on d 1, 2, and 3 of lactation. Amounts of nutritive components in formula and colostrum were similar. Blood samples were taken to measure vitamin A and Lf, and plasma xylose (added on d 4 to feeds) was measured postprandially for 8 h as a marker of intestinal absorptive capacity. Plasma vitamin A was low at birth and further decreased in groups F and F(L), but increased in groups F(A), F(AL), and C. Plasma Lf was low at birth and transiently increased up to 4 h after the first meal in group C. Xylose absorption was higher in group C than in other groups. Incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into DNA (as a measure of cell proliferation rate) was enhanced in intestinal crypts in groups F and F(L) at all intestinal sites. Ileum villus heights of groups F and F(L) were smaller than of groups F(A) and F(AL). Villus height to crypt depth ratios were smaller in F-fed groups (especially in groups F and F(L)) than in C-fed calves in the duodenum and jejunum. Incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine into colon crypt cells of group F was greater than in groups F(L) and F(A). Sizes of follicles of PP in the ileum were greater in group F(A) than in group F. In the ileum, vitamin A and Lf tended to interact with PP size. In conclusion, feed supplementation of vitamin A and Lf influenced growth of the ileum and colon. Interactions were observed between vitamin A and Lf on epithelial cell maturation, villus growth, and size of follicles in PP of neonatal calves.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, CH-3012 Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schottstedt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muri
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Philipona
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Hammon
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002417:Cattle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D003126:Colostrum / Q000737:chemistry; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D011897:Random Allocation; D013002:Somatomedins / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D013002:Somatomedins; D014801:Vitamin A; D007781:Lactoferrin