Effects of spray-dried porcine plasma and plant extracts on intestinal morphology and on leukocyte cell subsets of weaned pigs1

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of a 6% spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) and a plant extracts mixture (XT; 5% carvacrol, 3% cinnamaldehyde, and 2% capsicum oleoresin) on the productive performance, intestinal morphology, and leukocyte cell subsets of early-weaned pigs compared with a control group. Morphometry of the jejunum, ileum, and colon, and immune cell analysis of blood, ileocolic lymph node (LN), and ileal Peyer's patches were done in 24 weaned pigs (20 +/- 2 d) at 19 or 21 d postweaning. Although SDPP and XT treatments did not increase ADG or ADFI, SDPP improved the G:F ratio (P = 0.024) compared with the control group. Dietary SDPP reduced the percentages of blood monocytes (P = 0.006) and macrophages in ileal Peyer's patches and LN (P = 0.04), of B lymphocytes (P = 0.04) and gammadelta+ T cells in LN (P = 0.009), and of intraepithelial lymphocytes (P = 0.026) as well as the density of lamina propria cells in the colon (P < 0.01). Dietary XT reduced intraepithelial lymphocyte numbers in jejunum (P = 0.034) and the percentages of blood cytotoxic cells (P = 0.07) and B lymphocytes in LN (P = 0.03); however, XT increased blood monocytes (P = 0.038) and the density of lamina propria lymphocytes in the colon (P = 0.003). These results indicate that dietary SDPP and plant extracts can affect intestinal morphology and immune cell subsets of gut tissues and blood in weaned pigs. Furthermore, the effects of SDPP suggest lower activation of the immune system of the piglets.

Experimental Application of Sage in Rabbit Husbandry

“…Neutrophil polymorphonuclear leukocytes (granulocytes) are responsible for the non-specific immune response and mainly for the share of phagocytosis intro-defence of the host to infectious and inflammatory actions (Escribano et al 2005). Higher PA in EG2 can be explained by the combination of essential oils in Xtract (carvacrol from oregano, cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon and capsaicine from chilli peppers); it seems to have a longer immunomodulatory effect (Milos et al 2000;Nofrarías et al 2006). Concerning the values of VFA in caecum, Gidenne et al (1998) reported that the VFA concentration changed slowly with the age of the rabbit.…”

Dietary Plasma Protein Supplements Prevent the Release of Mucosal Proinflammatory Mediators in Intestinal Inflammation in Rats

“…Dietary supplementation with spray-dried plasma (SDP) 7 improves the intestinal homeostasis reducing the basal activation of the immune system (3,4). Furthermore, SDP feed can reduce intestinal inflammation in unchallenged weaned pigs, as indicated by decreased intraepithelial lymphocytes and lamina propria cell density in the large intestine (5).…”

Lactulose and Lactobacillus plantarum, a Potential Complementary Synbiotic To Control Postweaning Colibacillosis in Piglets

“…Tissue samples were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax, sectioned at 4 m, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Morphological measurements were performed with a light microscope (BHS; Olympus, Spain), according to published parameters (21). Analytical methods.…”