Posthatch development of intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities in domestic pigeons (Columba livia)

The ontogeny of nutrient transporter and digestive enzyme gene expression in domestic pigeon (Columba livia) intestine and yolk sac membrane during pre- and posthatch development

“…In this study, expression of PepT1 mRNA increased linearly (P < 0.001) from E12 to D14, suggesting an importance in peptide transport in the pigeon development. However, in our previous work, we observed that pigeon mucosal aminopeptidase-N activity, which is important in protein digestion, was independent of age after day 3 posthatch (Dong et al, 2012). It may be that digestion at the intestinal level is the limiting factor to assimilation of amino acids.…”

Effect of different fat sources in parental diets on growth performance, villus morphology, digestive enzymes and colorectal microbiota in pigeon squabs

“…A high villus-crypt ratio suggests a well-differentiated intestinal mucosa with high digestive and absorptive capability in poultry (Jeurissen et al 2002). Significant morphological changes were found in pigeon after hatching, and the increase of villus size in duodenum and jejunum was complete at day 14, while in ileum, it was complete at day 5 (Dong et al 2012). In our study, we measured in squabs the morphological data of villus at day 28 and found that the inclusion of FO in parental diets depressed the development of duodenum in squabs in terms of lower villus height, surface area and villus-crypt ratio compared with the SO treatment group.…”

“…Villus height, crypt depth and width were measured using a phase contrast microscope (Nikon, Japan) and analysed with Image J 1.46 software (NIH, USA). Villus height was measured from the tip of the villi to the villus crypt junction, and the width at half height (Dong et al 2012). Each replicate per segment should make a record of data from at least 30 villus or crypts.…”

“…Enzymes from the brush border membrane are important constituents of the microvillus membrane and are responsible for degradation and absorption of nutrients (Ferraris et al 1992). The activity of maltase and LAP in growing pigeons was measured by Dong et al (2012) from day 0 to 14 of age, and it was found that these enzyme activities can be established as enterocyte maturation marker for digestive function. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase is thought to account for migration time of epithelial cells, sloughing of tip cells and finally affecting villus height in mice (Farouz and Etressangles 1989).…”

Growth of embryo and gene expression of nutrient transporters in the small intestine of the domestic pigeon (Columba livia)

“…Furthermore, these studies found that the expression levels of the b 0,+ AT, EAAT3, and PepT1 in the small intestine had strong correlations with chick embryo development, which could be used as indicators for the chick embryo growth of the small intestine (Li et al, 2013). The gene expression level of intestinal fatty acid (Xie et al, 2012; and sodium glucose (Dong et al, 2012b) transporters in pigeons, and the activity of digestive enzyme in pigeon yolk sac membrane during pre-and post-hatch development have been reported (Dong et al, 2012a). However, the underlying relationship of embryonic growth and gene expression of nutrient transporters in the small intestine has not been evaluated in pigeons.…”