Diet effects on glucose absorption in the small intestine of neonatal calves: Importance of intestinal mucosal growth, lactase activity, and glucose transporters

Abstract

Colostrum (C) feeding in neonatal calves improves glucose status and stimulates intestinal absorptive capacity, leading to greater glucose absorption when compared with milk-based formula feeding. In this study, diet effects on gut growth, lactase activity, and glucose transporters were investigated in several gut segments of the small intestine. Fourteen male German Holstein calves received either C of milkings 1, 3, and 5 (d 1, 2, and 3 in milk) or respective formulas (F) twice daily from d 1 to d 3 after birth. Nutrient content, and especially lactose content, of C and respective F were the same. On d 4, calves were fed C of milking 5 or respective F and calves were slaughtered 2h after feeding. Tissue samples from duodenum and proximal, mid-, and distal jejunum were taken to measure villus size and crypt depth, mucosa and brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were taken to determine protein content, and mRNA expression and activity of lactase and mRNA expression of sodium-dependent glucose co-transporter-1 (SGLT1) and facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT2) were determined from mucosal tissue. Additionally, protein expression of SGLT1 in BBMV and GLUT2 in crude mucosal membranes and BBMV were determined, as well as immunochemically localized GLUT2 in the intestinal mucosa. Villus circumference, area, and height were greater, whereas crypt depth was smaller in C than in F. Lactase activity tended to be greater in C than in F. Protein expression of SGLT1 was greater in F than in C. Parameters of villus size, lactase activity, SGLT1 protein expression, as well as apical and basolateral GLUT2 localization in the enterocytes differed among gut segments. In conclusion, C feeding, when compared with F feeding, enhances glucose absorption in neonatal calves primarily by stimulating mucosal growth and increasing absorptive capacity in the small intestine, but not by stimulating abundance of intestinal glucose transporters.

Liver morphometrics and metabolic blood profile across divergent phenotypes for feed efficiency in the bovine

“…Unlike the healthy liver [36], the intestine responds to changes in workload primarily by adjusting its cellularity [11]. In fact, our histomorphometrical results in the liver are in line with findings in the small intestine [15, 35] as both indicate that improved feed efficiency is accompanied by a higher metabolic demand on these visceral organs. Interestingly, a study by Colnot et al [37] on glucose absorption in the small intestine of neonatal calves demonstrated the primary role of the mucosal growth to trigger the intestinal metabolism of glucose.…”

“…Similarly, Steinhoff-Wagner et al [35] found that breeds of cattle with higher growth rates and superior feed efficiency had greater cellularity in the small intestine compared with the cattle breeds with lower growth rates. Unlike the healthy liver [36], the intestine responds to changes in workload primarily by adjusting its cellularity [11].…”

Combinatorial Effects of Diet and Genetics on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Pathogenesis

“…High consumption of available carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose, lactose, or fructose, is postulated to overwhelm absorptive mechanisms of the intestine, resulting in increased luminal sugar concentrations that are then used as an energy source by the microbiota 56 . In support of this hypothesis, IBD patients often have evidence of fructose malabsorption or lactose intolerance 57 .…”

Bovine colostrum enriched with lyophilized bovine colostrum stimulates intestinal epithelium renewal of Holstein calves in the first days of life

“…Steinhoff‐Wagner et al. () comparing 4‐day‐old calves fed with colostrum or formula in the first 4 days of life also found greater villus circumference, area and height and smaller crypt depth in calves fed colostrum. Considering intestinal cell renewal within three to 4 days (Sangild, ), the results of Yang et al.…”

“…() and Steinhoff‐Wagner et al. () indicate the possibility of a lower rate of cell turnover in an attempt to maintain a first generation of epithelial cells that have the ability to absorb macromolecules, revealing that different mechanisms regulate the development and growth of the intestinal epithelium.…”