Comparison between the techniques of inclusion in glycol methacrylate (GMA)-based plastic resin and paraffin for evaluation intestinal morphometry in horses.

To determine the effect of the inclusion method on the histomorphometric evaluation of the gastrointestinal mucosa of horses, jejunum samples were collected using flank laparotomy. Sixteen mixed breed healthy adult horses, including four males and 12 females, aged 4-14 years with an average body weight of 248.40 ± 2.28 kg, were used. Jejunal biopsies were collected and analyzed by light microscopy using two methods: group 1 comprised biopsies fixed using 10% neutral formalin and embedded in paraffin; biopsies in group 2 were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.2, followed by inclusion in glycol methacrylate (GMA)-based plastic resin. Intestinal villi height, crypt depth, glandular mucosa thickness, total mucosal thickness, and villus/crypt ratio were then evaluated. For all the variables studied, with exception of the villus/crypt ratio, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between samples in groups 1 and 2. Processing samples for embedding in plastic resin was quicker and easier to perform compared to that for paraffin embedding. In addition, the epithelial lining of tissues in group 2 showed better resolution for conducting cytological studies under a light microscope. The difference between the studied variables can be attributed to tissue retraction caused by conventional processing for inclusion in paraffin. Therefore, the method of inclusion in GMA described in the present study appears to be a more reliable choice for morphometric evaluation of the intestinal mucosa of horses.

Para determinar o efeito do método de inclusão sobre a avaliação histomorfométrica da mucosa gastrointestinal de equinos foram coletadas amostras do jejuno por laparotomia pelo flanco. Foram utilizados 16 equinos adultos hígidos, sem raça definida, de ambos os sexos, quatro machos e 12 fêmeas, com idade variando entre quatro e 14 anos, e peso corporal médio de 248,40 + 2,28kg. Amostras do jejuno foram coletadas e processadas para biopsia em microscopia de luz sob dois métodos: grupo 1 - fixação em formalina neutra tamponada a 10% e inclusão em parafina, grupo 2 - fixação em glutaraldeído 2,5% em tampão fosfato 0,1M pH 7,2, seguido de inclusão em resina plástica à base de glicol metacrilato. Os seguintes parâmetros foram avaliados: altura das vilosidades intestinais, profundidade de cripta, espessura da mucosa glandular, espessura total da mucosa e relação vilo/cripta. Para todas as variáveis estudadas, exceto relação vilo/cripta, foi encontrada diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre os dois métodos. O processamento para inclusão em resina plástica foi rápido e de fácil execução quando comparado à inclusão em parafina. Além disso, o epitélio de revestimento apresentou melhor resolução das células para estudo histológico ao microscópio de luz. A diferença entre as variáveis pode ser atribuída a retração do tecido provocada pelo processamento convencional por inclusão em parafina. Portanto, o método de inclusão em GMA mostrou-se, no presente estudo, uma escolha mais fidedigna para as avaliações morfométricas da mucosa intestinal de equinos.

Breed and Sex Differences in the Gross Anatomy, Digesta pH and Histomorphology of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Gallus Gallus Domesticus

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of breed and sex in the gross anatomy, digesta and histology of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Chickens were slaughtered at 90 days of age and the pH of the digestive organs was measured immediately after slaughter. The digestive organ weights and lengths of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens were measured. Tissue samples of the duodenum, ileum and jejunal from each treatment group were collected and histologically examined. Higher (p 0.05) gizzard pH values were observed in male and female of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The jejunal and ileal pH values were lower (p 0.05) for Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The absolute weights of the gastrointestinal tract, crop, proventriculus and gizzard were lighter (p 0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The relative organ weights of the GIT, proventriculus, gizzard and caeca were higher (p 0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 90 days. Male chickens had higher (p 0.05) relative organ weights than female chickens. Interactions between breed and sex influenced (p 0.05) the absolute weights of the crop, proventriculus, caeca and large intestine. Ileum villus heights of female Venda chickens were higher (p 0.05) than those of female and male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The male and female Ross 308 broiler chickens had higher (p 0.05) ileum and duodenum crypt depths than male and female Venda chickens. The duodenum and ileum villus height/crypt depth ratios were higher (p 0.05) in male and female Venda chickens than Ross 308 broiler chickens. In overall, male broiler chicken performed better.(AU)

Breed and Sex Differences in the Gross Anatomy, Digesta pH and Histomorphology of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Gallus Gallus Domesticus

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of breed and sex in the gross anatomy, digesta and histology of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Chickens were slaughtered at 90 days of age and the pH of the digestive organs was measured immediately after slaughter. The digestive organ weights and lengths of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens were measured. Tissue samples of the duodenum, ileum and jejunal from each treatment group were collected and histologically examined. Higher (p 0.05) gizzard pH values were observed in male and female of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The jejunal and ileal pH values were lower (p 0.05) for Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The absolute weights of the gastrointestinal tract, crop, proventriculus and gizzard were lighter (p 0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The relative organ weights of the GIT, proventriculus, gizzard and caeca were higher (p 0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 90 days. Male chickens had higher (p 0.05) relative organ weights than female chickens. Interactions between breed and sex influenced (p 0.05) the absolute weights of the crop, proventriculus, caeca and large intestine. Ileum villus heights of female Venda chickens were higher (p 0.05) than those of female and male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The male and female Ross 308 broiler chickens had higher (p 0.05) ileum and duodenum crypt depths than male and female Venda chickens. The duodenum and ileum villus height/crypt depth ratios were higher (p 0.05) in male and female Venda chickens than Ross 308 broiler chickens. In overall, male broiler chicken performed better.

Maltodextrina em rações de leitões desmamados com diferentespesos: desempenho e morfometria intestinal / Maltodextrin in diets for weaning pigs of different weights: performance and intestinal morphometry

Foram realizados dois experimentos: no primeiro utilizaram-se 96 leitões desmamados com idade média de 21 dias, num delineamento em blocos com arranjo fatorial dos tratamentos 2 x 2 ( duas fontes de carboidratos x duas classes de peso ao desmame). No segundo foram utilizados 48 leitões, num delineamento em blocos com arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 (duas classes de peso ao desmame x duas fontes de carboidratos x duas porções do intestino delgado x três épocas de abate). Foram avaliados os efeitos da substituição da lactose pela maltodextrina nas rações de leitões desmamados, com diferentes pesos, sobre o consumo diário de ração, ganho diário de peso, conversão alimentar, altura das vilosidades, profundidade das criptas e espessura de mucosa. No primeiro experimento, nos períodos de 0 a 17 e 0 a 29 dias após o desmame constatou-se efeito de classes de peso, no ganho diário de peso e no consumo diário de ração dos leitões. No segundo experimento, a maltodextrina determinou aumentos na espessura média da mucosa intestinal e na profundidade média das criptas, apenas nos animais leves. A maltodextrina pode ser usada como alternativa para substituir a lactose nas rações de leitões desmamados.(AU)

Two trials were conducted: in the first trial, 96 weaning pigs at the age of 21 days were used, in a block design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two sources of carbohydrate and two weaning weight classes). In the second trial, 48 pigs were used, in a block design, with 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (two weaning weight classes x two sources of carbohydrate x two portions of the small intestine x three slaughter periods). The effects of the replacement of lactose by maltodextrin in diets of weaning pigs, with different weights, were evaluated on daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed:gain ratio, villus height, crypt depth and thickness of the mucosa. In the first trial, from 0 to 17 days and from 0 to 29 days after weaning, effects of weight classes were detected on daily weight gain and daily feed intake. In the second trial, maltodextrin resulted in an increase in the average thickness of the intestinal mucosa and in average crypt depth, only in lighter animals. Maltodextrin can be used as an alternative to lactose in diets of weaning pigs.(AU)

Maltodextrina em rações de leitões desmamados com diferentespesos: desempenho e morfometria intestinal / Maltodextrin in diets for weaning pigs of different weights: performance and intestinal morphometry

Foram realizados dois experimentos: no primeiro utilizaram-se 96 leitões desmamados com idade média de 21 dias, num delineamento em blocos com arranjo fatorial dos tratamentos 2 x 2 ( duas fontes de carboidratos x duas classes de peso ao desmame). No segundo foram utilizados 48 leitões, num delineamento em blocos com arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 (duas classes de peso ao desmame x duas fontes de carboidratos x duas porções do intestino delgado x três épocas de abate). Foram avaliados os efeitos da substituição da lactose pela maltodextrina nas rações de leitões desmamados, com diferentes pesos, sobre o consumo diário de ração, ganho diário de peso, conversão alimentar, altura das vilosidades, profundidade das criptas e espessura de mucosa. No primeiro experimento, nos períodos de 0 a 17 e 0 a 29 dias após o desmame constatou-se efeito de classes de peso, no ganho diário de peso e no consumo diário de ração dos leitões. No segundo experimento, a maltodextrina determinou aumentos na espessura média da mucosa intestinal e na profundidade média das criptas, apenas nos animais leves. A maltodextrina pode ser usada como alternativa para substituir a lactose nas rações de leitões desmamados.

Two trials were conducted: in the first trial, 96 weaning pigs at the age of 21 days were used, in a block design, with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two sources of carbohydrate and two weaning weight classes). In the second trial, 48 pigs were used, in a block design, with 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 factorial arrangement (two weaning weight classes x two sources of carbohydrate x two portions of the small intestine x three slaughter periods). The effects of the replacement of lactose by maltodextrin in diets of weaning pigs, with different weights, were evaluated on daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed:gain ratio, villus height, crypt depth and thickness of the mucosa. In the first trial, from 0 to 17 days and from 0 to 29 days after weaning, effects of weight classes were detected on daily weight gain and daily feed intake. In the second trial, maltodextrin resulted in an increase in the average thickness of the intestinal mucosa and in average crypt depth, only in lighter animals. Maltodextrin can be used as an alternative to lactose in diets of weaning pigs.