Slight Disruption in Intestinal Environment by Dextran Sodium Sulfate Reduces Egg Yolk Size Through Disfunction of Ovarian Follicle Growth

Abstract

Intestinal environments such as microbiota, mucosal barrier function, and cytokine production affect egg production in laying hens. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is an agent that disrupts the intestinal environment. Previously, we reported that the oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS: 0.9 g/kg BW) for 5 days caused severe intestinal inflammation in laying hens. However, the DSS concentration in the previous study was much higher to induce a milder disruption of the intestinal environment without heavy symptoms. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine the effects of a lower dose of DSS on the intestinal environment and egg production in laying hens. White Leghorn laying hens (330-day old) were oral administered with or without 0.225 g DSS/kg BW for 28 days (DSS and control group: n = 7 and 8, respectively). Weekly we collected all laid eggs and blood plasma samples. Intestinal tissues, liver, ovarian follicles, and the anterior pituitary gland were collected 1 day after the final treatment. Lower concentrations of orally administered DSS caused (1) a decrease in the ratio of villus height/crypt depth, occludin gene expressions in large intestine and cecal microbiota diversity, (2) a decrease in egg yolk weight, (3) an increase in VLDLy in blood plasma, (4), and enhanced the egg yolk precursor accumulation in the gene expression pattern in the follicular granulosa layer, (5) an increase in FSH and IL-1β gene expression in the pituitary gland, and (6) an increase in concentration of plasma lipopolysaccharide binding protein. These results suggested that the administration of the lower concentration of DSS caused a slight disruption in the intestinal environment. This disruption included poor intestinal morphology and decreased cecal microbiome diversity. The change in the intestinal environment decreases egg yolk size without decreasing the VLDLy supply from the liver. The decrease in egg yolk size is likely to be caused by the dysfunction of egg-yolk precursor uptake in ovarian follicles. In conclusion, the oral administration of a lower dose of DSS is an useful method to cause slight disruptions of intestinal environment, and the intestinal condition decreases egg yolk size through disfunction of ovarian follicle.

Relationship between Mucosal Barrier Function of the Oviduct and Intestine in the Productivity of Laying Hens

“…Thus, the lack of LR8 in ovarian follicles may be a primary factor underlying disrupted follicular growth and increased CHO and TG concentrations in the plasma. In our previous study, plasma TG and total CHO were greatly increased in both high and low concentrations of orally administered DSS hens, which showed lower egg productivity (Nii et al, 2020a;Nii et al, 2020b). However, the gene expression of LR8 in granulosa cells of F1 follicles was higher in the DSS group than in the control group (Nii et al, 2020b).…”

“…In our previous study, plasma TG and total CHO were greatly increased in both high and low concentrations of orally administered DSS hens, which showed lower egg productivity (Nii et al, 2020a;Nii et al, 2020b). However, the gene expression of LR8 in granulosa cells of F1 follicles was higher in the DSS group than in the control group (Nii et al, 2020b). The reason for this contradictory result is unknown, but the increase in LR8 gene expression may be caused by feedback from slow-growing follicles.…”

“…Therefore, and a decrease in cecal microbiome diversity without any histological damage or symptoms (Fig. 2c) (Nii et al, 2020b). Slight disruption of the intestinal environment decreased egg-laying ratio and egg yolk size (Fig.…”

“…Disruption of the intestinal environment causes histological damage and shortening of villi, which absorb nutrients (Nii et al, 2020a;Nii et al, 2020b). Therefore, disruption of the intestinal environment is suspected to decrease the function of nutrient absorption in chickens and may affect poultry productivity, including the size of the yolk.…”

“…However, R/O hens exhibited higher circulating FSH levels caused by a lack of negative feedback inhibition from lower inhibin secretion (Ocón- , et al, 2007). In addition, slight disruption of the intestinal environment caused by DSS stimulation increased the mRNA expression of FSH in the pituitary gland of laying hens (Nii et al, 2020b). Therefore, disordered endocrine hormone production caused by the disrupted intestinal environment may cause the decreased egg yolk size.…”