Effects of Supplemental Boron on Intestinal Proliferation and Apoptosis in African Ostrich Chicks

Abstract

SUMMARY:Boron is an essential trace element which plays an important role in process of metabolism and the function of the tissues. However, the effects of boron on the intestinal cells in African ostrich chicks are poorly reported. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the role of boron on proliferation and apoptosis of the intestinal cells. A total of 36, ten day-old ostrich chicks were randomly divided into six groups and fed on the same basal diet supplemented with 0, 40, 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg/L boric acid in drinking water for 80 days. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was used to test the proliferation index of intestine in different group by immunohistochemical staining (IHC). Apoptotic cells of intestine were detected by Dutp-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) reaction and evaluated by integral optical density (IOD). Results showed that proliferation of intestinal cells significantly increased in groups of 80, 160, 320 and 640 mg/L. TUNEL reaction showed that apoptosis significantly decreased in 80 mg/L groups, while significantly increased in high dose of boron groups (320 and 640 mg/L), especially in epithelium. In conclusion, low dose of boron-supplemented water could promote cell proliferation and depress apoptosis, while high dose of boron could cause intestinal apoptosis and thus we found increased proliferation of intestine cell as a compensatory adaption. These findings may support optimal dosage of boron that could protect the development of ostrich intestine, while high dosage of boron could suppress it, or even has toxic effects on it.

Selected physiological effects of boron compounds for animals and humans. A review

“…On the contrary, pharmacological dosages of boric acid (320 and 640 mg/l) cause destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier function. High dose of boron in drinking water stimulates cell apoptosis but increases intestinal cell proliferation, which acts as compensatory adaptation (Sun et al, 2016). It was also found that the diets containing 50 and 100 mg B/kg (nutritional dosages) significantly increased shear force of tibia and femur, shear stress of tibia and shear fracture energy of femur of chickens.…”

Comparative Study of Histopathological Changes Between Nano-Boron and Boron in Small Intestine of Layer Chickens

“…which caspase-3 is essential for this pathway and that boron suppresses gene production at low doses while promoting it at large doses. (15,24).The doses of 45 and 25mg/l consider low doses because another studies by Sun et al (23) found that high doses,80, 320 and 640 mg/L of boron caused destruction of the intestinal mucosal barrier function , previous research have shown that boron has a role a function in the growth and development of birds (10,25). Hypothesizing boron's potential role in cell development and proliferation (25).…”

Effects of Plant Polysaccharides Combined with Boric Acid on Digestive Function, Immune Function, Harmful Gas and Heavy Metal Contents in Faeces of Fatteners

“…However, in our experiment, choosing fattening pigs as the research object has certain limitations. Different animals have different sensitivities to the added doses of boron and plant polysaccharides [ 64 , 65 ]. Broilers and ostriches have significantly different sensitivities to boron compared to rats.…”