Enterocyte Dynamics and Mucosal Development in the Posthatch Chick

Abstract

Changes in the morphology of the small intestinal mucosa and enterocyte dynamics were examined in posthatch chicks through 12 d. At hatch, enterocytes were round and nonpolar; however, within 24 h posthatch, enterocytes lengthened and exhibited more typical morphology. Crypts were rudimentary at hatch and by 48 h invagination was completed and crypt numbers increased by branching and fission, with the number of crypts per villus reaching plateau after 72 h posthatch. All epithelial cells were proliferative at hatch. In the crypts, the proportion of proliferating enterocytes decreased to 50 to 60% within 2 d posthatch, whereas along the villus the proportion of proliferating cells decreased to 10 to 20% by 6 d. Different patterns of temporal development of villi were observed in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Individual villus surface area increased steadily in the duodenum throughout the experiment, whereas individual jejunal and ileal villus surface areas increased more slowly after 4 d posthatch. The number of villi per cross-section of intestine increased in the duodenum and jejunum but not in the ileum. The total segment villus surface area increased similarly in all segments until 3 d posthatch, after which the jejunum increased considerably in absorptive area, whereas the duodenum and ileum increased more slowly. This study shows that, in the hatching chick, the small intestine matures in a manner similar to neonatal mammals, with specific ontogenetic timetables in the different small intestinal segments, however, the most dramatic changes occur within the first 24 h posthatch.

Nucleotides in broiler chicken diet: effect on breast muscles quality

“…Regarding chickens, dramatic changes occur in the development of the small intestinal mucosa after hatching, including enterocyte maturation, intensive cryptogenesis and villous growth (Geyra et al 2001). This intestinal development influences the growth rate, since intestinal maturation plays a rate determining role in providing the substrates for the growth (Smith et al 1990).…”

Efeito do tempo de jejum pós-eclosão, valores energéticos e inclusão do ovo desidratado em dietas pré-iniciais e iniciais de pintos de corte

“…Após a eclosão, os pesos do pró-ventrículo, da moela e do intestino delgado aumentam mais rapidamente que o peso corporal das aves e os pesos dos outros tecidos (Junqueira et al, 2001). Geyra et al (2001), examinando as alteraçõs do intestino e a dinâmica enterocítica em pintos em 12 dias pós-eclosão, observaram que as alterações mais significativas ocorrem nas primeiras 24 horas pós-eclosão.…”

Effects of post-hatch nutrition of arginine, lysine, methionine and threonine on performance and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens

“…This situation between lysine, methionine and arginine has been confirmed (Chamruspollert et al, 2002) which is probably the reason of adverse effects on the intestinal development. It must be noticed that in the hatching chick, the small intestine matures largely in the immediate post-hatch days, which occurs with intensive cryptogenesis, enterocyte maturation to functional forms (Geyra et al, 2001). On the other hand, intestinal development needs amino acids (Foye et al, 2007;Wijtten et al, 2010).…”