Effect of feeding colostrum versus exogenous immunoglobulin G on gastrointestinal structure and enteric nervous system in newborn pigs.
Colostrum is an indispensable source of antibodies (IgG) protecting the newborn pig against infection. We studied the effect of feeding colostrum and purified IgG on early structure and development of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Newborn littermate pigs were fed either colostrum, an elemental diet (ED), or an ED supplemented with purified serum IgG (ED + IgG) for 24 h or then only ED up to 72 h. Afterwards, pigs were slaughtered. Colostrum-fed pigs or ED supplemented with IgG (ED + IgG) increased thickness (P < 0.001) of stomach mucosa and muscularis (P < 0.05) compared to the ED group not receiving IgG. Feeding an ED supplemented with IgG improved morphology of the GIT towards that of colostrum-fed piglets and indicates a beneficial effect of IgG on GIT development in neonatal pigs. Immunohistochemical studies indicate that ED feeding may influence the expression of nitric oxide synthase in jejunal myenteric (but not submucous) neurons of newborn pigs.
The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology & Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland.
J
J
Woliński
M
M
Słupecka
B
B
Weström
O
O
Prykhodko
P
P
Ochniewicz
M
M
Arciszewski
E
E
Ekblad
K
K
Szwiec
Ushakova
G
G
Skibo
T
T
Kovalenko
I
I
Osadchenko
K
K
Goncharova
J
J
Botermans
S
S
Pierzynowski
D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D003126:Colostrum; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D017615:Enteric Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase