Effects of incubation and chick rearing on intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, and mRNA expression of nutrient transporter genes in the pigeon (Columba livia) under artificial farming conditions

Abstract

The present study investigated the changes in morphology, enzyme activities in the pancreas and mucosa, and nutrient transporter gene expression in the duodenum and jejunum in male and female pigeons during the incubation and chick-rearing periods. Forty-two pairs of White King pigeons with 2 fertile eggs per pair were randomly divided into 7 groups by different breeding stages. The crypt depth of the duodenum and jejunum reached the peak at day 1 (R1) and day 7 (R7) of chick rearing, respectively. The jejunum surface area increased to a maximum value at R1. Amylase activity in the pancreas decreased to the lowest value at R1, whereas trypsin and lipase activities peaked at 17 D of incubation (I17) and R7, respectively. In male pigeons, mucosal Na + -K + -ATPase activity in the duodenum and jejunum was the highest at R15 and it was at I17 in female pigeons. Jejunum sucrose activity in female pigeons was higher at I4 than that at I17 ( P < 0.05). The gene expression of FAT/CD36 and I-FABP in the duodenum gradually increased and then declined in the late chick-rearing period. SGLT1 in the jejunum decreased to a lower level at I17 and R25 in male pigeons ( P < 0.05). GLUT2 expression in female duodenum and male jejunum decreased to a lower value at I17 compared with that at R15 ( P < 0.05). In the late of incubation (from I10 to I17), expression of duodenum CAT1 , B 0 AT1 , and PepT1 and jejunum CAT1 , ASCT1 , and PepT1 in female pigeons was significantly reduced ( P < 0.05), whereas opposite results were found in male jejunum CAT1 and duodenum ASCT1 . In conclusion, variations of intestinal morphology, activities of pancreatic and mucosal enzymes, and gene expression of nutrient transporters during incubation and chick-rearing periods, underlying potential changes of digestive and absorptive function and intestinal adaptation with sexual effects, may represent a complicated response to stimuli of different breeding stages.

Dynamic variations in serum amino acid and the related gene expression in liver, ovary, and oviduct of pigeon during one egg-laying cycle

“…However, y + LAT2 worked as an antiport by coupling the efflux of cationic AAs to the influx of neutral AAs ( Bröer, et al., 2004 ). In pigeons, gene expression of various AA transporters had been analyzed in parent crop tissue ( Xie, et al., 2020a ) and in small intestine of chick or parent during chick-rearing period ( Gao, et al., 2016 ; Zhang, et al., 2017 ; Xie, et al., 2020b ). In the present study, the B 0 AT1 expression increased and the expression of LAT4, EAAT3, CAT1 and y + LAT2 decreased in the ovary at D10 and D13, suggesting the neutral AAs transport was mainly carried out by B 0 AT1 and the transport of anionic and cationic AAs exhibited a less active status during the period of yolk formation.…”

Effects of early weaning on intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidant status, and cytokine status in domestic pigeon squabs (Columba livia)

“…The ratio of villus height to crypt depth ( VCR ) was also calculated. Each replicate per segment recorded data from at least 30 villi or crypts ( Xie et al, 2020 ). The villus surface area was calculated by the formula [(2π) × (villus width/2) × (villus height)] ( Sakamoto et al, 2000 ).…”

“…Pigeons, as altricial birds, are different from precocial species such as chickens, ducks, and geeses in terms of nesting instincts, reproduction, rearing newly hatched offspring and the growth rate of the young ( Xie et al, 2020 ). The growth and survival of their squabs is dominant in comparison to other poultry species, which contributes to pigeon milk, a sort of nourishing regurgitation from parental pigeons ( Sales and Janssens, 2003 ; Zhang et al, 2016 ).…”

Pigeon during the Breeding Cycle: Behaviors, Composition and Formation of Crop Milk, and Physiological Adaptation

“…Intestinal functions are reflected by intestinal morphology and structure, such as villus height, crypt depth and surface area [ 148 ]. Although the villus height of the intestine was stable in adult pigeons, the crypt depth and surface area of the intestine showed a significant increase from the terminal phase of incubation to the early phase of the chick-rearing period [ 149 ]. This may be related to increased food intake and high production of crop milk.…”