1. Three experiments were performed to relate morphological characteristics of the small intestinal mucosal surface to age, dietary factors, small intenstinal microflora and performance of broilers. Characterisation of the small intestinal mucosal surface using a dissecting microscope was based on the orientation of the villi, villus shape and the presence of convoluted villi. 2. In Trial 1, the morphological changes of the mucosal surface were studied weekly in the period from 7 to 28 d of age. At d 7 mainly tongue- and leaf-shaped villi together with some ridge-shaped ones were observed in the middle section of the small intestine, displaying a regular zigzag pattern on 53% of the mucosal surface. During the period from d 7 to 14, the area with ridge-shaped villi increased from 7 to 63% and did not change significantly over the next 2 weeks. 3. In Trial 2, three protein sources, soy isolate (SI), wheat gluten (WG), hydrolysed wheat gluten (HWG) and SI with added L-glutamine (SI + Gln), were studied with respect to their effect as dietary components on villus morphology in the mid-small intestine and performance. Diets were fed with (0 to 14 d) and without pectin (14 to 21 d). Feed conversion ratio on the HWG diet improved in comparison to the native WG diet. During the period 0 to 14 d of age the mucosal area with zigzag-oriented villi increased when the pectin diet was supplemented with Gln. Moreover, weight gain of birds fed the SI + Gln diet increased in the period 41 to 21 d. 4. In Trial 3, a study was made of the morphological response of the villi to a stimulation of microbial activity in the digesta after addition of highly methylated pectin to the soybean meal (SBM) diet. This was performed with and without inoculation of a non-virulent Salmonella typhimurium on d 7. By d 21 the birds fed the pectin diet showed impaired weight gain and higher feed conversion. The pectin affected the mucosal surface by decreasing the area with the zigzag pattern and increasing the area with convoluted, mainly ridge-shaped villi. The Salmonella typhimurium infection increased the effects of pectin on performance and mucosal morphology.
The literature on the glycocalyx of small intestinal epithelium is reviewed. The structure, general and barrier functions, synthesis, and degradation of the glycocalyx, and pathobiological aspects of the glycocalyx in relation to its barrier function are mentioned. Topics for future research are indicated.
The jejunal mucosa of pigs fed diets containing Phaseolus vulgaris beans was characterized grossly as mucosal atrophy and microscopically as atrophy and blunting of the villus in association with elongation of crypts with cells with increased mitotic activity. These morphologic findings were most severe in the proximal and middle parts of the jejunum. Compared to controls, goblet cells were significantly decreased in the villus but markedly increased in the crypt region. The activity of aminopeptidase and sucrase-isomaltase in the test animals was also significantly lower than in the controls. The findings in this study suggested that feeding Phaseolus vulgaris beans reduced the digestive and absorptive capacity of the mucosa, resulting in weight loss and diarrhea of affected pigs.
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