Influence of the effective microorganisms (EM) on performance, intestinal morphology and gene expression in the jejunal mucosa of pigs fed different diets

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the influence of the effective microorganisms (EM) on performance parameters, intestinal morphology and gene expression in the jejunal mucosa in pigs under different feeding regimes. The study group comprised of 150 piglets divided into three feeding groups: C, E1 and E2. Feeding groups included: C—standard fodder, blend with a full share of post‐extracted soy meal, E1—in the phase I of fattening: pea and lupin/soybean 50/50%; in the phase II of fattening: pea and lupin/soybean 75/25%, and E2—in the phase I of fattening: pea and lupin/soybean 50/50%; in the phase II of fattening: pea and lupin 100%. The experimental factor was addition of a probiotic EM Carbon Bokashi to the diets (C + EM, E1 + EM and E2 + EM). After slaughter, histological evaluation and gene expression analysis were performed. The highest intestinal villi were reported in E2 + EM. A higher intestinal absorption area was demonstrated in groups C + EM and E2 + EM. An interaction between feeding and EM Bokashi supplementation was found in villus surface area crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth and number of goblet cells. Mucosa thickness and number of goblet cells was the largest in E2 + EM. Gene expression of FABP4 increased in E1, and GLUT2 decreased in E2. Gene expression of IL10 and FABP4 increased in E2 + EM. The results indicate that the E2 diet is more optimal for EM Bokashi supplementation, because in this group, EM positively influenced the morphological characteristics of the porcine jejunum and caused an increase in the expression of genes related to the metabolism and functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Effective Microorganisms (EM) Improve Internal Organ Morphology, Intestinal Morphometry and Serum Biochemical Activity in Japanese Quails under Clostridium perfringens Challenge

“…Our results also include interesting observations concerning goblet cells in the jejunum. We observed higher goblet cell proliferation in the CP group, in contrast to Abdel-Aziz et al [ 27 ] in Nile tilapia and Reszka et al [ 28 ] in pigs after EM addition. In our opinion, an increased number of goblet cells is a consequence of pathogen stimuli and causes more protective mucus.…”

Effects of probiotic supplements on growth performance and intestinal microbiota of partridge shank broiler chicks

“…Thus, great efforts have been made to improve the nutritive values of feeds to enhance growth performance and health of animals ( Ahmad et al, 2018 ). Probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms”, are one of the major feed additives routinely being used in animal production for decades due to the conferred health benefits to the host when administered in an adequate amount ( FAO, 2002 ; Markowiak & Liewska, 2018 ; Iriti et al, 2019 ; Reszka et al, 2020 ). For poultry, probiotics could improve feed intake and digestion efficiency by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes, keep the balance of bacteria in gastrointestinal (GI) tract, promote the gut integrity and thus improve the growth performance and health of birds ( Johnson et al, 2018 ; Soomro et al, 2019 ; Hack et al, 2020 ).…”

Carcass and Pork Quality and Gut Environment of Pigs Fed a Diet Supplemented with the Bokashi Probiotic

“…Moreover, the increased concentrations of cytokines IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β, and of immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk, proved the immunoregulatory effect of EM ® Bokashi on Th2 cells, leading to increased expression of regulatory T cells and the polarization of the immune response from Th1 to Th2 [ 16 ]. The results of yet other study indicated that EM ® Bokashi supplementation had a positive effect on the morphological characteristics of porcine jejunum and caused an increase in the gene expression related to the key metabolic pathways of the gastrointestinal tract [ 17 ].…”