Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) has been the most common Salmonella serotype associated with foodborne infections in the last several years. Dietary applications of yeast-based preparations in feed have shown to reduce Salmonella colonization in chickens augmenting SE control strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a mannan-rich yeast cell wall-derived preparation (Actigen®) administered in feed at a rate of 400 g/ton on SE colonization in the cecum and internal organs of commercial layer chickens. Sixteen week-old layer pullets were orally challenged with a selected nalidixic acid resistant SE strain at a dose of 1.7×10^9 colony forming units (CFU) per bird. SE colonization was assessed by evaluating isolation rates from ovary and pooled liver/spleen samples as well as enumeration of SE in cecal pouches one week post-challenge. Recovery rates of SE from the ovaries of directly challenged birds receiving Actigen® were significantly lower (P <0.02) than those in directly challenged birds fed an unsupplemented control diet. Recovery rates of SE from pooled liver/spleen samples were not significantly different between Actigen®-treated pullets and controls (P = 0.22). Using direct plate count methods, cecal SE concentrations were 1 log10 lower (P <0.001) in challenged pullets in the Actigen®-supplemented group than in the challenged controls. The SE concentration distributions in the ceca were similar in groups testing positive and groups testing negative for SE in the ovaries and liver/spleens tissues. As a result, SE concentrations in the ceca could not be directly related to the occurrence or prevalence of SE in these tissues. In conclusion, Actigen® supplementation appears to decrease the prevalence of SE in ovarian tissue and concentrations of SE in cecal contents and may be useful as a tool for reducing the risk of eggshell contamination and transovarian transmission of SE in eggs.

Two dietary sources of zinc (ZnSO4 or organic Zn) were tested in chickens challenged with coccidiosis (Co) or coccidiosis plus Clostridium perfringens (CoCPF). On day 14, the chickens were orally gavaged with ∼5,000 Eimeria maxima sporulated oocysts. On day 19, 20, and 21 chickens challenged with C. perfringens were given a broth culture containing 108 cfu of this bacterium. Productive performance parameters were determined at d 14, 21, and 28. On day 21, necrotic enteritis (NE) lesions were scored, and intestinal permeability was evaluated. Jejunum and cecal tonsils were collected for morphology and gene expression analysis. On day 21, organic Zn improved BW gain by 18.6% (P = 0.07), and FCR by 12% (P = 0.09) in CoCPF challenged chickens vs. birds fed ZnSO4. From 1 to 28, organic Zn increased BW gain (P = 0.02), and improved FCR (P = 0.03) vs. birds fed ZnSO4. At 21 d, NE lesions were only observed in CoCPF birds (P < 0.001), and mortality due to NE was only observed when CoCPF birds were fed ZnSO4 (P = 0.001). Organic Zn fed birds had increased villus height in the jejunum (P = 0.005) and decreased intestinal permeability (P = 0.01) vs. ZnSO4. In the jejunum, organic Zn fed birds showed a downregulation of expression of IL-8 (P = 0.02), and upregulation of IL-10 (P = 0.05) in CoCPF birds vs. ZnSO4- CoCPF birds. As main effect, birds supplemented with organic Zn had higher mRNA expression of TLR-2 (P = 0.02) and IgA (P = 0.01). In the cecal tonsils, organic Zn fed birds showed upregulation of iNOS (P = 0.008) in CoCPF birds vs. ZnSO4-CoCPF birds. Organic Zn supplementation reduced intestinal permeability and attenuated intestinal inflammation of broilers co-challenged with coccidia and C. perfringens.

Our main objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding α-amylase (Amaize, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA) for 140 days on skeletal muscle and liver gene transcription in beef steers. Steers fed Amaize had lower average daily gain (p = .03) and gain:feed ratio (p = .05). No differences (p > .10) in serum metabolites or carcass traits were detected between the two groups but Amaize steers tended (p < .15) to have increased 12th rib fat depth. Microarray analysis of skeletal muscle revealed 21 differentially expressed genes (DEG), where 14 were up-regulated and seven were down-regulated in Amaize-fed steers. The bioinformatics analysis indicated that metabolic pathways involved in fat formation and deposition, stress response, and muscle function were activated, while myogenesis was inhibited in Amaize-fed steers. The quantitative PCR results for liver revealed a decrease (p < .01) in expression of fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) and 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase 1 (BDH1) with Amaize. Because these genes are key for intracellular fatty acid transport, oxidation and ketone body production, data suggest a reduction in hepatic lipid catabolism. Future work to investigate potential positive effects of Amaize on cellular stress response, muscle function, and liver function in beef cattle appears warranted.

In the dairy industry, cow health and farmer profits depend on the balance between diet (ie, nutrient composition, daily intake) and metabolism. This is especially true during the transition period, where dramatic physiological changes foster vulnerability to immunosuppression, negative energy balance, and clinical and subclinical disorders. Using an Agilent microarray platform, this study examined changes in the transcriptome of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) due to prepartal dietary intake. Holstein cows were fed a high-straw, control-energy diet (CON; NEL = 1.34 Mcal/kg) or overfed a moderate-energy diet (OVE; NEL = 1.62 Mcal/kg) during the dry period. Blood for PMNL isolation and metabolite analysis was collected at -14 and +7 days relative to parturition. At an analysis of variance false discovery rate <0.05, energy intake (OVE vs CON) influenced 1806 genes. Dynamic Impact Approach bioinformatics analysis classified treatment effects on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, including activated oxidative phosphorylation and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and inhibited RNA polymerase, proteasome, and toll-like receptor signaling pathway. This analysis indicates that processes critical for energy metabolism and cellular and immune function were affected with mixed results. However, overall interpretation of the transcriptome data agreed in part with literature documenting a potentially detrimental, chronic activation of PMNL in response to overfeeding. The widespread, transcriptome-level changes captured here confirm the importance of dietary energy adjustments around calving on the immune system.

Mycotoxins produced by fungal species commonly contaminate livestock feedstuffs, jeopardizing their health and diminishing production. Citrinin (CIT) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are mycotoxins produced by Penicillium spp. and commonly co-occur. Both CIT and OTA can modulate immune response by inhibiting cell proliferation and differentiation, altering cell metabolism, and triggering programmed cell death. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sublethal exposure (i.e., the concentration that inhibited cell proliferation by 25% (IC25)) to CIT, OTA or CIT + OTA on the bovine macrophage transcriptome. Gene expression was determined using the Affymetrix Bovine Genome Array. After 6 h of exposure to CIT, OTA or CIT + OTA, the number of differentially expressed genes (DEG), respectively, was as follows: 1471 genes (822 up-regulated, 649 down-regulated), 5094 genes (2611 up-regulated, 2483 down-regulated) and 7624 genes (3984 up-regulated, 3640 down-regulated). Of these, 179 genes (88 up-regulated, 91 down-regulated) were commonly expressed between treatments. After 24 h of exposure to CIT, OTA or CIT + OTA the number of DEG, respectively, was as follows: 3230 genes (1631 up-regulated, 1599 down-regulated), 8558 genes (4167 up-regulated, 4391 down-regulated), and 10,927 genes (6284 up-regulated, 4643 down-regulated). Of these, 770 genes (247 up-regulated, 523 down-regulated) were commonly expressed between treatments. The categorization of common biological functions and pathway analysis suggests that the IC25 of both CIT and OTA, or their combination, induces cellular oxidative stress, a slowing of cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. Collectively, these effects contribute to inhibiting bovine macrophage proliferation.

The study investigated the effect of an intramammary lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the bovine mammary and liver transcriptome and its consequences on metabolic biomarkers and liver tissue composition. At 7 days of lactation, 7 cows served as controls (CTR) and 7 cows (LPS) received an intramammary Escherichia coli LPS challenge. The mammary and liver tissues for transcriptomic profiling were biopsied at 2.5 h from challenge. Liver composition was evaluated at 2.5 h and 7 days after challenge, and blood biomarkers were analyzed at 2, 3, 7 and 14 days from challenge. In mammary tissue, the LPS challenge resulted in 189 differentially expressed genes (DEG), with 20 down-regulated and 169 up-regulated. In liver tissue, there were 107 DEG in LPS compared with CTR with 42 down-regulated and 65 up-regulated. In mammary, bioinformatics analysis highlighted that LPS led to activation of NOD-like receptor signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, RIG-I-like receptor signaling and apoptosis pathways. In liver, LPS resulted in an overall inhibition of fatty acid elongation in mitochondria and activation of the p53 signaling pathway. The LPS challenge induced changes in liver lipid composition, a systemic inflammation (rise of blood ceruloplasmin and bilirubin), and an increase in body fat mobilization. The data suggest that cells within the inflamed mammary gland respond by activating mechanisms of pathogen recognition. However, in the liver the response likely depends on mediators originating from the udder that affect liver functionality and specifically fatty acid metabolism (beta-oxidation, ketogenesis, and lipoprotein synthesis).

The objective was to study the effect of maternal supplementation with a yeast cell wall-based product containing a mannan-rich fraction (MRF) during gestation and lactation on piglet intestinal gene expression. First parity sows were fed experimental gestation and lactation diets with or without MRF (900 mg/kg). After farrowing, piglets were fostered within treatment, as necessary. Sow and litter production performance data were collected until weaning. On day 10 post farrowing, jejunum samples from piglets were collected for gene expression analysis using the Affymetrix Porcine GeneChip array. Most performance parameters did not differ between the treatments. However, protein (P<0.01), total solids less fat (P<0.03) and the concentration of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in milk were greater (P<0.05) in the MRF-supplemented group. Gene expression results using hierarchical clustering revealed an overall dietary effect. Further analysis elucidated activation of pathways involved in tissue development, functioning and immunity, as well as greater cell proliferation and less migration of cells in the jejunum tissue. In conclusion, feeding the sow MRF during pregnancy and lactation was an effective nutritional strategy to bolster colostrum and milk IgG that are essential for development of piglet immune system and gut. In addition, the gene expression patterns affected by the passive immunity transfer showed indicators that could benefit animal performance long term.

During the dry period, cows can easily overconsume higher-grain diets, a scenario that could impair immune function during the peripartal period. Objectives were to investigate the effects of energy overfeeding on expression profile of genes associated with inflammation, lipid metabolism, and neutrophil function, in 12 multiparous Holstein cows (n=6/dietary group) fed control [CON, 1.34 Mcal/kg of dry matter (DM)] or higher-energy (HE, 1.62 Mcal/kg of DM) diets during the last 45 d of pregnancy. Blood was collected to evaluate 43 genes in polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNL) isolated at -14, 7, and 14 d relative to parturition. We detected greater expression of inflammatory-related cytokines (IL1B, STAT3, NFKB1) and eicosanoid synthesis (ALOX5AP and PLA2G4A) in HE cows than in CON cows. Around parturition, all cows had a close balance in mRNA expression of the pro-inflammatory IL1B and the anti-inflammatory IL10, with greater expression of both in cows fed HE than CON. The expression of CCL2, LEPR, TLR4, IL6, and LTC4S was undetectable. Cows in the HE group had greater expression of genes involved in PMNL adhesion, motility, migration, and phagocytosis, which was similar to expression of genes related to the pro-inflammatory cytokine. This response suggests that HE cows experienced a chronic state of inflammation. The greater expression of G6PD in HE cows could have been associated with the greater plasma insulin, which would have diverted glucose to other tissues. Cows fed the HE diet also had greater expression of transcription factors involved in metabolism of long-chain fatty acids (PPARD, RXRA), suggesting that immune cells might be predisposed to use endogenous ligands such as nonesterified fatty acids available in the circulation when glucose is in high demand for milk synthesis. The lower overall expression of SLC2A1 postpartum than prepartum supports this suggestion. Targeting interleukin-1β signaling might be of value in terms of controlling the inflammatory response around calving. The present study revealed that overfeeding cows during late pregnancy results in activation, ahead of parturition, of PMNL responses associated with stress and inflammation. These adaptations observed in PMNL did not seem to be detrimental for production.

The prepartal dietary energy level is tightly correlated with the degree of tissue mobilization that the animal experiences around parturition (giving birth). To better understand the link between the dry period dietary energy management and the inflammatory status around parturition, 12 multiparous Holstein cows were fed for the entire dry period either a high-wheat straw/lower-energy diet to supply at least 100% of the calculated net energy for lactation (NEL) (control, CON) or a higher-energy diet to supply >140% of NEL (overfed, OVE). The blood was sampled throughout the transition period for biomarker analyses. Liver tissue samples were taken on days -14, 7, 14, and 30 relative to parturition for triacylglycerol (TAG) composition and gene expression analysis. Fifty genes involved in inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and oxidative stress, and cell cycle and growth were evaluated. Although blood biomarkers did not reveal signs of a greater inflammatory status compared with OVE, CON cows had a greater activation of the intrahepatic unfolded protein response prepartum. However, postpartum mRNA profiling indicated that the OVE group experienced a mild but sustained level of ER stress, with higher oxidative stress and impairment of antioxidant mechanisms. After parturition, inflammation-related genes were upregulated in OVE cows compared with CON. However, CON cows experienced a gradual increase in expression of key inflammatory transcription regulators up to 30 days postpartum which agreed with the lower plasma albumin and cholesterol, suggesting an inflammatory state. Data underscored that ER stress is not necessarily linked with inflammation during the peripartal period. Gene expression data also suggest that prepartum overnutrition could have negative effects on normal cell cycle activity. Overall, allowing cows to overconsume energy prepartum increased the hepatic pro-inflammatory response prepartum and up to the point of parturition. Subsequently, cows fed the lower-energy diet experienced a gradual increase in the inflammatory response. The lack of differences between groups in voluntary feed intake and lactation capacity suggests that nutritional management prepartum triggers different mechanisms that affect ER and oxidative stress along with inflammation. Although no clinical disorders were detected, these alterations expose animals to the development of immuno-metabolic disorders.

Sodium butyrate (SB) has been shown to affect the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) through the activation of different transcriptional pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SB on the proliferation and differentiation potential of porcine bone marrow-derived MSC. Third passage MSC were verified by flow cytometry to be > 95% CD105+, CD90+, CD44+, CD45−, and CD34−. Cells were cultured in either a low glucose DMEM+10% FBS (BM), BM + 2.5 mM SB (SB2.5) or BM + 5 mM SB (SB5) in a randomized complete block design. Data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA followed by linear and quadratic contrasts and the treatments had 6 independent replicates (n = 6). Cell proliferation was significantly decreased by both SB2.5 and SB5 after 48h (−55% on average, P = 0.001) and 72h (−63% on average, P = 0.001). To assess the impact of SB on spontaneous differentiation, MSC were cultured for 27 d, with complete media change every 3 d. At 3 d, SB treated cells showed changes in morphology compared with controls, from spindle-shaped fibroblast-like to larger sail-shaped cells with intracellular shiny droplets. At 27d, cells were stained for osteocytic (Alizarin Red), chondrocytic (Alcian Blue) and adipocytic (Oil-Red-O) differentiation. No terminal differentiation was detected in MSC cultured in the BM alone, while accumulated lipids were clearly stained by Oil-Red-O in MSC cultured in the presence of SB. The phenotypic changes observed from 3 to 27 d were supported by a change in the pattern of gene expression, analyzed by semiquantitative real-time PCR. At 3 d, both SB2.5 and SB5 increased mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARg; P = 0.05, linear effect) and decreased osteocalcin (OC; P = 0.02, quadratic) and aggrecan (P = 0.04, quadratic) mRNA levels compared with untreated cells. At 27d, there was an increase in PPARg mRNA level (P = 0.02, linear) and decreased OC and aggrecan (P = 0.02 and P = 0.002, respectively, both linear and quadratic) with SB treatment. To conclude, our data suggest that SB promotes the differentiation of porcine bone marrow-derived MSC toward an adipocytic lineage.

OBJECTIVETo determine effects of a microalgae nutritional product on insulin sensitivity in horses.ANIMALS8 healthy mature horses.PROCEDURESHorses (n = 4/group) received a basal diet without (control diet) or with docosahexaenoic acid-rich microalgae meal (150 g/d) for 49 days (day 0 = first day of diet). On day 28, an isoglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp procedure was performed. Horses then received dexamethasone (0.04 mg/kg/d) for 21 days. On day 49, the clamp procedure was repeated. After a 60-day washout, horses received the alternate diet, and procedures were repeated. Plasma fatty acid, glucose, and insulin concentrations and glucose and insulin dynamics during the clamp procedure were measured on days 28 and 49. Two estimates of insulin sensitivity (reciprocal of the square root of the insulin concentration and the modified insulin-to-glucose ratio for ponies) were calculated.RESULTSBaseline glucose and insulin concentrations or measures of insulin sensitivity on day 28 did not differ between horses when fed the control diet or the basal diet plus microalgae meal. On day 49 (ie, after dexamethasone administration), the microalgae meal was associated with lower baseline insulin and glucose concentrations and an improved modified insulin-to-glucose ratio for ponies, compared with results for the control diet.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCEAlthough the microalgae meal had no effect on clamp variables following dexamethasone treatment, it was associated with improved plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and insulin sensitivity estimates. A role for microalgae in the nutritional management of insulin-resistant horses warrants investigation.

Hepatic metabolic gene networks were studied in dairy cattle fed control (CON, 1.34 Mcal/kg) or higher energy (overfed (OVE), 1.62 Mcal/kg) diets during the last 45 days of pregnancy. A total of 57 target genes encompassing PPARα-targets/co-regulators, hepatokines, growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis, lipogenesis, and lipoprotein metabolism were evaluated on -14, 7, 14, and 30 days around parturition. OVE versus CON cows were in more negative energy balance (NEB) postpartum and had greater serum non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and liver triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations. Milk synthesis rate did not differ. Liver from OVE cows responded to postpartal NEB by up-regulating expression of PPARα-targets in the fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis pathways, along with gluconeogenic genes. Hepatokines (fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4)) and apolipoprotein A-V (APOA5) were up-regulated postpartum to a greater extent in OVE than CON. OVE led to greater blood insulin prepartum, lower NEFA:insulin, and greater lipogenic gene expression suggesting insulin sensitivity was not impaired. A lack of change in APOB, MTTP, and PNPLA3 coupled with upregulation of PLIN2 postpartum in cows fed OVE contributed to TAG accumulation. Postpartal responses in NEFA and FGF21 with OVE support a role of this hepatokine in diminishing adipose insulin sensitivity.

The effect of over-feeding energy prepartum on blood polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) response remains unclear. Cows fed controlled (CON; 1.34Mcal/kg of dry matter) or excess energy (OVE; 1.62Mcal/kg dry matter) during the dry period (~45d before expected calving date) received an intramammary (IM) challenge with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during the postpartal period to determine the effects of IM LPS and prepartal diet on the expression of key genes associated with immunometabolic response in blood PMN. Feed intake and daily milk yield were recorded throughout the study period. At 7d in milk (DIM), all cows received LPS (200µg) into 1 rear mammary quarter. Blood PMN were isolated at 7, 14, and 30 DIM, as well as before (0h) and after (12h) IM LPS challenge for gene expression analysis using quantitative real time PCR. Phagocytosis capabilities in vitro were assessed at 7, 14, and 30 DIM. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures. No differences in feed intake and milk yield were observed between OVE- and CON-fed cows. As expected, IM LPS challenge altered the expression of genes associated with the immune response (e.g., 1.9- and 1.8-fold for SELL and TLR2, respectively), metabolism (e.g., 1.8- and -1.8-fold for LDHA and SLC2A1, respectively), and transcription (e.g., 1.1- and 1.7-fold for NCOR1 and PPARD, respectively). At 12h postchallenge, an upregulation of TLR2 (1.8-fold), HIF1A (1.9-fold), and NFKB1 (1.5-fold) was observed for OVE rather than CON. At 7 DIM, S100A9 tended (2.2-fold) to be upregulated for OVE rather than CON. At 14 DIM, OVE resulted in lower PMN phagocytosis and an upregulation of NCOR2 (1.6-fold) and RXRA (1.9-fold) compared with CON-fed cows. At 30 DIM, an upregulation of MPO (3.5-fold) and PLA2G4A (1.5-fold) and a tendency for RXRA (1.7-fold) was observed for OVE- rather than CON-fed cows. Our results suggest that IM LPS challenge altered gene expression associated with metabolism in PMN and that OVE impaired PMN phagocytosis and increased the expression of immunometabolic genes after IM LPS challenge and during the postpartal period. The current study provides new linkages among prepartal feed energy intake, metabolism, and immune response of blood PMN and risk of disease during early lactation.

1. The addition of yeast cell wall (YCW) mannan fractions or low concentrations of antibiotics to the diet of broilers positively affects gut health by improving intestinal cell morphology and improves feed efficiency and performance; however the exact mechanisms are unclear. Based on these production responses, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of supplementing YCW and bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) in the diet on mRNA levels in the jejunum of 6-week-old broilers. 2. Dietary treatments were a maize-soya control diet and the control diet with the addition of YCW or BMD. Birds (n=7) from each dietary treatment were randomly selected and killed at d 42. Whole jejunum (with serosa) samples were collected for RNA isolation. Gene expression analysis was performed using the AffymetrixGeneChip Chicken Genome Array (Santa Clara, CA, USA). 3. Supplementation with YCW resulted in 928 genes that were significantly changed (456 down-regulated, 472 up-regulated) and supplementation with BMD resulted in 857 genes that significantly changed (408 down-regulated, 449 up-regulated). In addition, 316 genes were significantly changed by both YCW and BMD (146 down-regulated, 170 up-regulated). 4. BMD increased the expression of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and decreased expression of genes associated with T-helper cell pathways. Gene expression profiles from birds fed on diets containing YCW showed changes on a genomic level that correspond to slower gut cell turnover and therefore increased energy preservation for growth. 5. In conclusion, supplementation with BMD or YCW had similar influences on the number of differentially expressed genes in the jejunum. Biological functions common to both YCW and BMD with positive activation scores included antiviral response and antimicrobial response. Genes that were affected by BMD or YCW classified into both different and common biological functions and pathways related to improved metabolism and health in the jejunum.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ca and P restriction during the post‐weaning period in pigs. Piglets (n=5/treatment) were assigned to one of 4 treatments: Control (100% NRC requirements), or 7‐d, 14‐d or 21‐d postweaning Ca and P restriction (33% of NRC requirements). After restriction periods, piglets were fed 100% of NRC requirements. Performance was measured until d 35, at which time kidney gene expression of renal transporters was measured using qPCR relative to the control group. Performance did not differ between treatments. However, during d 21–35 the gain‐to‐feed ratio was greater (P < 0.05) in piglets restricted for 21 d (0.692 G:F) or 14 d (0.672 G:F) compared with 7 d (0.583 G:F). Relative mRNA level of the solute carrier family 34 member 1(SLC34A1) was up‐regulated (P < 0.05) in piglets restricted for 21 d (1.16‐fold) or 14 d (1.18‐fold), consistent with improved gain‐to‐feed ratio and indicating improved active phosphate transport into cells. The solute carrier family 8 member 1 (SLC8A1) was down‐regulated (P < 0.05) in piglets restricted for 7 d (−1.78‐fold), demonstrating a long‐term effect of early life nutrition on Ca metabolism. No differences were observed in ATP2B1, SLC22A and SLC34A2 mRNA levels. These results suggest performance and renal capacity benefits in response to 14 to 21 d post‐weaning Ca and P restriction.Grant Funding Source: Alltech, Inc.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of post‐hatch (0–96 h) organic mineral (Cu, Zn, Mn) levels on intestinal gene expression profiles in broilers. Chicks were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: corn‐soy diet with organic Zn, Cu, Mn (Bioplex®, Alltech Inc.) at 100% (control, C) or 20% (low, L) of NRC requirements. After 96 h, 7 birds from each group were euthanized and jejunal gene expression was measured using Affymetrix Chicken Genome Array. Body weight, ADG and FCR did not differ between treatments at d 5. Overall 749 genes (432 up‐regulated; 317 down‐regulated) were differentially expressed in L vs C birds. Ingenuity pathway analysis indicated that the top biological functions with positive activation (z‐score >; 2) in L birds were related to molecular transport, nucleic acid metabolism, immune cell trafficking, lipid metabolism and cellular movement. Pathways associated with cell signaling (e.g., integrin‐linked kinase and Wnt/â‐catenin) and pathways related to cell growth and vascular homeostasis (sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and endothelin, respectively) were significantly activated by L compared with C. Gene expression profiles indicate that feeding broilers low concentrations of organic minerals in the first 96 h post‐hatch activates pathways and functions that aid in the development of the intestine.

Adequate dietary threonine (Thr) is necessary for proper gut health in nursery pigs. Supplementing with a mannan oligosaccharide product, such as Actigen™ (ACT, Alltech Inc.), can aid in preventing bacterial colonization in the gut. This study was designed to determine whether supplementation with Thr and ACT had beneficial effects on intestinal morphology. Weaned pigs (17 d old) were randomly assigned to one of six factorial treatments: three ratios of true ileal digestible threonine:lysine (Thr:Lys TID): 57% (low), 67% (requirement), or 77% (high) and with or without 400g/T ACT. On d 42 of treatment, pigs (n=6) were euthanized and jejunal sections were fixed and embedded in paraffin wax for histological analysis. Sections (5 μm) were stained with Alcian blue‐periodic acid Schiff stain. Image analysis revealed that piglets fed 77% Thr:Lys with or without ACT supplementation had increased villi height (P<0.01), villus height‐to‐crypt depth ratio (P<0.05), and goblet cell density (cells/μm2; P<0.04) compared to 57% or 67% Thr:Lys. Total goblet cell area (μm2) and goblet cell density were increased (P<0.05) in treatments containing ACT. There were no significant interactions, indicating that adequate Thr levels and ACT supplementation positively influenced gut morphology characteristics independently to increase absorptive capacity and efficiency. The study was funded by Alltech Inc. (Nicholasville, KY).

We used the newly-developed Dynamic Impact Approach (DIA) and gene network analysis to study the sow mammary transcriptome at 80, 100, and 110 days of pregnancy. A swine oligoarray with 13,290 inserts was used for transcriptome profiling. An ANOVA with false discovery rate (FDR < 0.15) correction resulted in 1,409 genes with a significant time effect across time comparisons. The DIA uncovered that Fatty acid biosynthesis, Interleukin-4 receptor binding, Galactose metabolism, and mTOR signaling were among the most-impacted pathways. IL-4 receptor binding, ABC transporters, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and Jak-STAT signaling were markedly activated at 110 days compared with 80 and 100 days. Epigenetic and transcription factor regulatory mechanisms appear important in coordinating the final stages of mammary development during pregnancy. Network analysis revealed a crucial role for TP53, ARNT2, E2F4, and PPARG. The bioinformatics analyses revealed a number of pathways and functions that perform an irreplaceable role during late gestation to farrowing.