表达ETEC F41重组干酪乳杆菌口服及滴鼻免疫效果的比较

摘要：【目的】比较小鼠滴鼻与口服接种ETEC F41重组干酪乳杆菌后,机体所产生的抗ETEC F41的黏膜免疫和系统免疫及免疫保护率的差异,为确定ETEC乳酸菌疫苗免疫程序奠定基础。【方法】将构建的重组质粒pLA-F41电转化入干酪乳杆菌,获得阳性重组菌。重组菌在MRS 培养基中进行表达,经Western blot检测目的蛋白的表达,间接免疫荧光及流式细胞术检测外源蛋白展示到菌体表面。SPF级BALB/c小鼠随机分成4组,每组40只,将重组菌以滴鼻和口服途径分别接种2组小鼠,对照组分别接种同剂量的空质粒菌     

表达空肠弯曲菌CfrA蛋白重组乳酸乳球菌的构建及其免疫效果北大核心CSCD

【目的】本试验将空肠弯曲菌肠菌素受体蛋白CfrA编码基因导入食品级乳酸乳球菌表达系统,然后将重组乳酸乳球菌口服免疫鸡,降低空肠弯曲菌在鸡肠道中的定殖。【方法】利用PCR分别扩增空肠弯曲菌cfrA全基因及其N端片段,插入食品级表达载体pNZ8149多克隆位点并转化乳酸乳球菌NZ3900,通过Western blot鉴定重组菌株CfrA蛋白表达情况,同时通过筛选nisin浓度、温度、时间等诱导条件优化重组蛋白表达水平;进而将重组乳酸乳球菌经口服免疫SPF鸡,免疫后分别测定乳酸乳球菌自鸡体内的排出情况、以及诱导CfrA血清抗体和粘膜抗体水平,最后将空肠弯曲菌口服攻毒免疫后的鸡,通过测定鸡泄殖腔棉拭子中空肠弯曲菌的数目来判定口服免疫效果。【结果】Western blot检测显示CfrA全基因及其N端片段均可在重组乳酸乳球菌胞内可溶性表达,不分泌,筛选的最佳诱导表达条件为nisin浓度25 ng/mL、温度37°C、时间1 h。口服乳酸乳球菌10 d内自鸡体完全排空;鸡口服免疫后可产生CfrA蛋白特异性的血清IgG和肠粘膜sIgA抗体;重组乳酸乳球菌口服免疫后空肠弯曲菌在鸡体内的增殖速度显著低于对照组。【结论】成功构建了重组CfrA蛋白的食品级乳酸乳球菌诱导表达系统;表达CfrA蛋白的重组乳酸乳球菌口服免疫鸡对空肠弯曲菌在鸡肠道的定殖具有一定的抑制作用,为研制重组乳酸菌口服家禽免疫制剂防治空肠弯曲菌奠定了基础。     

灌喂植物乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌增加仔猪肠道菌群多样性及短链脂肪酸生成

【目的】研究断奶前给仔猪饲喂植物乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌对断奶前、后肠道菌群组成、数量和短链脂肪酸(SCFA)浓度的影响,分析仔猪生长性能与肠道形态、微生物菌群及SCFAs的相关性,探讨测试菌株缓解仔猪断奶应激的可能机制。【方法】选取15窝7 d龄杜长大仔猪,随机分为3组,分别灌喂2 mL去离子水(对照组)、0.5×10~9 CFU/mL植物乳杆菌(LP组)或干酪乳杆菌(LC组)的菌液,每组以窝为单位5个重复,于21 d(断奶)、24 d和35 d屠宰,采集回肠和结肠食糜,分析菌群组成和数量的变化,测定SCFAs浓度。【结果】测试菌株均能显著提高断奶2周后回肠、结肠菌群多样性(P0.05),促进乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌增殖;显著促进断奶前回肠和结肠中乙酸、丙酸、丁酸和总SCFA生成,促进断奶后乙酸和总SCFA产生;相关分析显示,测试菌株组仔猪腹泻率下降与SCFAs浓度上升、回肠绒毛高度增加和总菌数量上升显著相关,日增重提高与结肠乙酸和TSCFA浓度增加显著相关。【结论】测试菌株促进乳酸杆菌、双歧杆菌等有益菌增殖,增加肠道菌群多样性,促进肠道SCFAs生成。     

产气荚膜梭菌α毒素在干酪乳杆菌中的诱导表达及小鼠口服免疫保护效力的测定

摘要: 【目的】构建产气荚膜梭菌（Clostridium perfringens, C．perfringens）α 毒素基因的重组干酪乳杆菌口服疫苗,为产气荚膜梭菌毒素中毒的防治提供有效方法。【方法】将构建的重组产气荚膜梭菌α毒素基因细胞表面型载体pPG1及分泌表达载体pPG2电转化乳酸乳杆菌（Lactobacillus casei L.casei）,获得阳性重组菌pPG1-α/ L.casei 393 乳酸乳杆菌表面表达系统和pPG2-α/ L.casei393乳酸乳杆菌分泌表达系统。重组菌以1%乳糖为诱导物,在MRS培养基中进行诱导,通过Western-blot和间接免疫荧光方法鉴定,确定目的蛋白的表达。将重组菌口服免疫BALB/c小鼠,收集免疫小鼠粪便及眼冲洗液及外生殖道黏液样本测定小鼠产生抗α毒素的特异性sIgA 抗体水平,采集小鼠血液样本测定血清中抗α毒素的特异性IgG抗体水平。并对免疫小鼠进行α毒素的腹腔攻毒实验及对获得的抗血清进行α毒素中和试验测定。【结果】重组干酪乳杆菌pPG1-α/ L.casei 393及pPG2-/ L.casei 393免疫小鼠能够产生明显的抗α毒素的sIgA 和IgG 抗体水平,其对α毒素中和试验结果为完全保护。腹腔攻毒实验结果为能抵抗3倍最小致死剂量的α毒素攻击。【结论】表达产气荚膜梭菌α毒素免疫保护性抗原的重组乳酸乳杆菌口服免疫动物能够产生良好的局部和系统体液免疫应答和免疫中和效力。     

空肠弯曲菌cheA基因插入突变及其对小鼠空肠定植能力的影响

摘要：【目的】构建空肠弯曲菌（Campylobacter jejuni）cheA基因插入突变株,了解CheA与空肠弯曲菌小鼠体内定植的相关性。【方法】运用同源重组的原理构建空肠弯曲菌cheA基因突变株,采用PCR技术检测cheA突变株的构建情况。通过基因回补试验构建cheA基因回补株。空肠弯曲菌感染小鼠,运用小鼠空肠内容物涂板计数的方法检测cheA突变株、cheA基因回补株和野生株定植小鼠能力的差异。【结果】PCR检测显示成功构建cheA基因突变株。空肠弯曲菌cheA基因突变株定植小鼠空肠的数量明显减少（P<0.05）;cheA基因回补株定植小鼠空肠的数量跟野生株相比无明显差异（P>0.05）。【结论】本研究成功构建cheA基因突变株及其回补株。cheA基因可能参与空肠弯曲菌在小鼠体内定植的过程。     

鼠李糖乳杆菌菌毛SpaA亚基的表达、抗体制备及其种属特异性研究

【目的】制备鼠李糖乳杆菌菌毛亚基Spa A多克隆抗体,研究其种属特异性。【方法】应用PCR方法从鼠李糖乳杆菌GG的基因组扩增出spa A,并连接到质粒p ET-28α(+)中。将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导表达和镍柱纯化制备重组SpaA。通过免疫BALB/c小鼠获得多克隆抗体,利用全菌ELISA、Western和Dot-blot分析了SpaA在18株乳酸菌(12个种)中的分布特征。【结果】表达的重组SpaA分子量为36 k D,与预期大小一致;获得的Spa A抗体效价为1:12 800。Western结果显示抗体与天然Spa A具有良好的反应性。在测定的18株乳酸菌中,鼠李糖乳杆菌、干酪乳杆菌、副干酪乳杆菌3个种属菌株的spa A基因PCR和RT-PCR检测均为阳性。但全菌ELISA和Dot-blot结果显示,只有3株鼠李糖乳杆菌的全菌细胞与SpaA抗体呈特异性反应,而其它种属的菌株没有明显的交叉反应。【结论】尽管spa A基因在鼠李糖乳杆菌、干酪乳杆菌、副干酪乳杆菌中具有高度同源性,但SpaA蛋白只特异性地呈现在鼠李糖乳杆菌细胞表面。本研究中获得的Spa A抗体,为高黏附性鼠李糖乳杆菌的免疫磁珠分离及菌毛功能研究提供了工具。     

乳酸杆菌对感染大肠杆菌O157:H7小鼠肠道黏膜免疫的影响

【目的】分析小鼠在感染Escherichia coli O157:H7及补充嗜酸乳杆菌KLDS AD1和瑞士乳杆菌KLDS1.8701期间小肠黏膜中SIgA和细胞因子的变化规律,结合小鼠表象特征,探讨2株乳酸杆菌对小鼠腹泻的治疗效果。【方法】将小鼠分成4组,空白组、致病对照组、嗜酸乳杆菌组和瑞士乳杆菌组,对实验组小鼠连续7 d灌胃大肠杆菌致病后,再连续7 d分别灌胃2株乳酸杆菌,采集小鼠小肠利用ELISA法测得各组小鼠肠道组织中SIgA和4种细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ、IL-4和IL-6的含量。【结果】瑞士乳杆菌可极显著提高感染大肠杆菌O157:H7小鼠的体重,嗜酸乳杆菌的效果较小;感染E.coli O157:H7后,SIgA、IL-2和IFN-γ的含量在第3天达到最大值,第5天开始下降,而IL-4和IL-6在第5天达到最大值,第7天开始下降。补充嗜酸乳杆菌和瑞士乳杆菌后,SIgA和4种细胞因子的含量都迅速增加,并保持较高水平,与其他两组差异显著。【结论】嗜酸乳杆菌KLDS AD1和瑞士乳杆菌KLDS 1.8701都可通过增加细胞因子和SIgA的分泌增强肠道黏膜免疫,对小鼠腹泻有一定的缓解作用。     

绿色荧光蛋白基因原核表达载体的构建及其在昆虫肠道短短芽孢杆菌和苏云金芽孢杆菌中的表达

【目的】构建带有苏云金芽孢杆菌cry3a基因非芽孢依赖启动子和绿色荧光蛋白基因gfp(Green Fluorescent Protein)的原核表达载体,并转化从桑粒肩天牛幼虫肠道分离的两株常驻细菌短短芽孢杆菌CQUBb和苏云金芽孢杆菌CQUBt,以检测cry3a启动子在昆虫肠道常驻菌中的启动子活性,获得GFP标记菌株,为常驻菌在昆虫幼虫肠道中的定殖情况和杀虫工程菌的构建奠定基础。【方法】采用重叠延伸PCR将cry3a基因启动子和gfp基因进行融合,并与pHT304载体连接构建重组质粒pHT3AG,获得的重组质粒以电脉冲转化肠道常驻菌短短芽孢杆菌CQUBb和苏云金芽孢杆菌CQUBt,于可见光和荧光显微镜下观察荧光并通过SDS-PAGE分析重组菌株的蛋白表达情况,然后对重组菌株进行生长动力学分析和稳定性测试。【结果】重组菌在营养期大量组成型表达GFP,经电泳分离在凝胶上出现约29kDa的特异蛋白条带;重组菌生长曲线与出发菌没有显著差异,说明外源质粒未对宿主菌的生长带来明显不利影响;抗性条件下传代30次后两菌株外源质粒稳定性仍可达95%、67%;两个菌株比较,CQUBb比CQUBt质粒转化率高、重组菌GFP表达时间长、表达量大,并且重组菌株稳定性好。【结论】成功地将cry3a基因核心启动子和gfp基因转入桑粒肩天牛幼虫肠道常驻菌,实现了该启动子在Bt之外的菌株中发挥作用,构建了两个GFP标记菌株;重组基因工程菌株表达量大,稳定性好,可以用作昆虫肠道内微生态研究和芽孢杆菌表达系统以及杀虫菌株的构建。     

Rib类似蛋白在三种乳酸杆菌中的分布

【目的】阐明罗伊氏乳杆菌中Rib蛋白在细菌中的亚细胞定位,以及其在几种乳酸杆菌中的分布,探讨Rib蛋白潜在的生物学功能。【方法】以罗伊氏乳杆菌ATCC55730中Rib蛋白的基因为模板,设计特异性引物,通过PCR获得Rib蛋白N末端非重复区序列并在大肠杆菌中进行异源表达,经过亲和层析和分子筛获得纯化的Rib蛋白,制备Rib蛋白的小鼠多克隆抗体。通过蛋白质免疫印迹方法对11株乳酸杆菌中Rib类似蛋白进行检测。【结果】Western blot结果显示Rib蛋白主要分布于罗伊氏乳杆菌的细胞壁上。PCR和Western blot均表明Rib类似蛋白在4株罗伊氏乳杆菌、6株植物乳杆菌和1株干酪乳杆菌中均可被检测到。【结论】Rib类似蛋白可能在乳酸杆菌中分布较广泛,它们主要存在于细菌细胞壁上的现象表明其可能对这些乳杆菌在宿主肠道的定殖具有一定作用。     

猪小肠微生物对不同蛋白源的体外发酵特性比较

【目的】采用体外发酵技术比较小肠微生物对不同蛋白源的发酵规律。【方法】以成年猪的十二指肠、空肠和回肠内容物为接种物,以豆粕、菜粕或鱼粉水解物上清液为氮源底物,于发酵的0、4、8、12 h分别测定发酵液p H、微生物蛋白、氨氮和挥发性脂肪酸含量,同时提取细菌DNA并进行定量分析。【结果】添加含氮底物的空肠组和回肠组氨氮浓度和菌体蛋白浓度均相对增加,尤其是酶解菜粕组菌体蛋白合成量较高;十二指肠组菌体蛋白浓度以及氨氮含量不断减少。各发酵组乳酸和挥发酸快速积累,4–8 h积累量最大;8 h后空肠组和回肠组乳酸和挥发酸含量相对稳定,而十二指肠组后期丙酸含量增加约2 mmol/L,并伴随着乳酸含量的相对减少。同时,各组中总细菌、拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门和乳酸杆菌数量相对增加,且略高于无氮组,但不同蛋白源组间无显著差异。【结论】在体外培养条件下,空肠和回肠微生物具有相似的发酵规律,均能快速利用培养液中的含氮物质合成菌体蛋白;十二指肠微生物具有较强的产挥发酸能力,能够转化乳酸并大量产生丁酸和丙酸,这有利于宿主营养功能和肠道健康。     

Permanent colonization by Lactobacillus casei is hindered by the low rate of cell division in mouse gut

Long residence times of probiotics in the intestinal tract would prolong their potential beneficial health effects and assist colonization. This study investigated the colonization potential of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in mouse intestine by using 5 (and 6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (cFDA-SE) for assessment of doubling times in different parts of the intestine. The amounts of intestinal water overlying the surfaces of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon in BALB/c mice were 34.4 +/- 2.9, 58.8 +/- 6.8, 21.6 +/- 2.2, and 8.0 +/- 1.0 mg, respectively. Based on the residual concentrations of cFDA-SE-labeled lactobacilli on intestinal mucosal surfaces, the average half times for the wash-out of lactobacilli fed were estimated at 3.98, 1.55, 1.34, and 2.48 days in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, respectively. The average doubling times of the lactobacilli, estimated from the residual fluorescent levels of surface-adhered cells, were 4.10, 4.78, 4.56, and 5.59 days in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, respectively. It is estimated that the lactobacilli would have to achieve an average doubling time of 1.03 to 2.04 days to colonize the various sections of the mouse intestinal tract more permanently.     

Growth and morphological changes in the small and the large intestine in piglets during the first three days after birth.

Growth and morphological changes in the small and the large intestine of piglets were examined during the first three days after birth. There was a 72% increase in small intestinal weight, virtually all of which occurred during the first day and was due primarily to a 115% increase in the weight of the mucosa. Associated with the tissue weight gain there was a 24% increase in small intestinal length, a 15% increase in small intestinal diameter, a 33-90% increase in villus height and a 14-51% increase in villus diameter, during the first day. The cellular population in the small intestinal mucosa, as indicated by its DNA content, increased progressively with age, and at three days had increased by 84-154%. The percentage increase in mucosal DNA content was highest in the duodenum, intermediate in the jejunum and lowest in the ileum. Histological features and tissue protein contents revealed a transient epithelial cellular swelling related to intracellular accumulation of protein on the first day. Protein accumulation was evident in the jejunum and ileum but not in the duodenum. The positions of the nuclei in the epithelial cells suggested that on the first day protein absorption was at a more advanced stage in the jejunum and the proximal ileum than in the distal ileum. Large intestinal weight increased by 33% during the first day and had doubled by the third day, and this weight gain was due to both mucosal and non-mucosal tissue growth. Villus-like structures were observed in the caecum and the proximal colon in piglets at birth and one day after birth but not in piglets three days after birth. It is speculated that such villus-like structures may have a functional significance during the transition to complete dependence on oral nutrition in newborns.     

Permanent Colonization by Lactobacillus casei Is Hindered by the Low Rate of Cell Division in Mouse Gut

Long residence times of probiotics in the intestinal tract would prolong their potential beneficial health effects and assist colonization. This study investigated the colonization potential of Lactobacillus casei Shirota in mouse intestine by using 5 (and 6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate, succinimidyl ester (cFDA-SE) for assessment of doubling times in different parts of the intestine. The amounts of intestinal water overlying the surfaces of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon in BALB/c mice were 34.4 ± 2.9, 58.8 ± 6.8, 21.6 ± 2.2, and 8.0 ± 1.0 mg, respectively. Based on the residual concentrations of cFDA-SE-labeled lactobacilli on intestinal mucosal surfaces, the average half times for the wash-out of lactobacilli fed were estimated at 3.98, 1.55, 1.34, and 2.48 days in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, respectively. The average doubling times of the lactobacilli, estimated from the residual fluorescent levels of surface-adhered cells, were 4.10, 4.78, 4.56, and 5.59 days in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon, respectively. It is estimated that the lactobacilli would have to achieve an average doubling time of 1.03 to 2.04 days to colonize the various sections of the mouse intestinal tract more permanently.     

Transport of putrescine across duodenal,jejunal and ileal brush-border membrane of chicks (Gallus domesticus)

Luminal polyamines and their absorption are essential for proliferation of the enterocytes and, therefore, nutrition, health and development of the animal. The transport systems that facilitate the uptake of putrescine were characterized in chick duodenal, jejunal and ileal brush-border membrane vesicles prepared by MgCl2 precipitation from three-week-old chicks. An inwardly-directed Na+ gradient did not stimulate putrescine uptake and, therefore, putrescine transport in chick intestine. In the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, kinetics of putrescine transport fitted a model with a single affinity component plus a non-saturable component. The affinity (Kt) for [3H]putrescine transport across the brush-border membrane increased along the length of the small intestine. A model of intermediate affinity converged to the data obtained for [3H]putrescine transport with Kt approximating 1.07 and 1.05 mM or duodenum and jejunum, respectively; and high affinity with a Kt of 0.35 mM for the ileum. The polyamines cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine strongly inhibited the uptake of [3H]putrescine into chick brush-border membrane vesicles, more so for the jejunum and ileum than the duodenum. The kinetics of cadaverine, spermidine and spermine inhibition are suggestive of competitive inhibition of putrescine transport. These uptake data indicate that a single-affinity system facilitates the intestinal transport of putrescine in the chick; and the affinity of transporter for putrescine is higher in the ileum than in the proximal sections of the small intestine. In addition, this study shows that the ileum of chicks plays an important role in regulating cellular putrescine concentration.     

Enzymatic degradation of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) by mucosal homogenates from the intestine of the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

The peptidolytic activity of fresh and frozen mucosal homogenates from five regions (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) of possum intestine from Trichosurus vulpecula towards human Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) was investigated. The rank of order of specific peptidolytic activity of the mucosal homogenates was jejunum > ileum > caecum> duodenum = colon, with a 3 to 4 fold difference between the least and the most active segment in both frozen and fresh samples. The formation of peptides LHRH (1-3), LHRH (1-4) and LHRH (1-5) suggest endopepetidase-24.18, endopeptidase-24.15 and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) might be responsible for the peptide degradation in mucosal homogenates. The inhibition of LHRH degradation by mucosal homogenates was evaluated in four regions (jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon) of possum intestine. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA, 5 mM), sodium deoxycholate (SDA, 10 mM) and bacitracin (3.5 or 9 mM) inhibited the degradation of LHRH in mucosal homogenates from small intestine and hindgut. However, the serine protease inhibitor, soybean trypsin-chymotrypsin inhibitor (SBTI), did not prevent degradation of LHRH. It is concluded that combining peptides with inhibitors may enhance oral delivery of bioactive peptides or proteins to possums.     

Histological characteristics of the intestinal mucosa of the rat during the first year of life

In spite of the widespread use of rats in gastrointestinal research, there is a lack of information on the qualitative and quantitative histological characteristics. Therefore, a study was performed in 69 male Wistar rats with ages ranging from one day to one year old. The features studied included: height and number of villi in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, and depth and number of crypts in the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon and rectum. Morphometric observations were expressed in a mathematical logarithmic curve that showed a normal, pattern of intestinal growth for each intestinal level. The number of villi in the small intestine decreased from 1 to 35 days of age, whereas the other intestinal parameters all increased during the same period. After 35 days the rates of increase or decrease were lower. The quantification of these intestinal changes provides a new complementary pattern as a reference for research as indicators of normality or malfunction in the rat intestine.     

CFTR基因在小鼠肠道组织中的差异表达

目的研究肠道组织CFTR基因表达与分泌性腹泻发生的关系。方法选取KM小鼠24只,雌雄各半,随机分为3组（每组8只）：对照组经小鼠腹腔注射0.2 mL生理盐水,实验组小鼠经腹腔注射LPS[6 mg/（kg·bw）]分别作用1 h、8 h,于注射后通过小鼠精神状态、肠道组织形态学判定分泌性腹泻模型的建立,利用荧光定量PCR法检测各段肠道组织CFTR基因的表达。结果 LPS成功诱导小鼠发生了分泌性腹泻;CFTR基因在小鼠十二指肠、空肠、回肠和结肠组织中均有不同的表达丰度,以结肠最高,但各段肠道间差异不显著;与对照组相比,LPS上调了十二指肠、空肠和回肠CFTR基因的转录,下调了结肠CFTR基因的转录。结论提示肠道组织CFTR基因转录水平的上调与LPS诱导分泌性腹泻的发生密切相关,且在各肠段发挥的作用不同,其中空肠在氯离子（Cl-）分泌中发挥主要作用,结肠的作用最弱。     

Effect of Weaning on Small Intestinal Structure and Function in the Piglet

Fifty-four piglets were selected from 12 litters weaned at 17 (Treatment 1), 21 (Treatment 2), 28 (Treatment 3) and 35 (Treatment 4) days old, respectively, to determine the effect of weaning age on small intestinal villus morphology, immunology and histochemistry. From proximal duodenum, proximal jejunum, distal jejunum and middle ileum, intestinal samples with three replicates (piglets) in each treatment were taken at 18, 22, 28 and 36; 22, 28, 36 and 43; 28, 36, 43, and 50; and 18, 22, 28, 36, 43 and 50d of age in Treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. This was equivalent to 12h, 3d, 1 week, 2 week postweaning in Treatment 1; 12h, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week postweaning in Treatment 2 and 3, and all the same age in Treatment 4 as in Treatment 1, 2, 3, respectively. The results showed that villous height of duodenum and proximal jejunum decreased significantly in Treatment 1 and 3. Crypt depth in the duodenum, proximal jejunum and ileum also decreased significantly in Treatment 1. Date had significant effect on villous height of the duodenum, distal jejunum and ileum with the shortest on day 29 and crypt depth of all positions increased with piglet age except the crypt depth in proximal jejunum decreased on day 50. Weaning age and day of age had significant effects on intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) number and goblet cell (GC) number at all positions of small intestinal mucosa in piglets. The number of IEL at all segments of small intestinal mucosa in Treatment 3 increased significantly compared to those in other treatments, but IEL number at all locations of small intestinal mucosa in Treatment 2 decreased significantly compared to those in other treatments. The number of GC in small intestinal mucosa increased significantly in early-weaned (< day 21) piglets. It appears that providing fluid milk replacer for a few days postweaning could dramatically reduce the negative impact of weaning on villous morphology and digestive and absorptive function, especially in pigs weaned prior to 3 week of age. Finally, as weaning age was reduced, GC had a greater role in intestinal duct protection.     

Somatostatin binding sites in cytosolic fraction of rabbit intestinal mucosa: distribution throughout the intestinal tract

Specific binding sites for somatostatin have been identified in cytosolic fraction of both small and large intestinal mucosa. The stoichiometric data suggested the presence of two classes of binding sites in each part of the intestine. The binding capacity varied depending on the segment considered (rectum greater than duodenum = jejunum greater than ileum, caecum and colon). However, the affinities of the binding sites were similar throughout the whole intestinal mucosa, with the exception of rectum which showed higher Kd values. The binding sites were shown to be highly specific for somatostatin since neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide, neurotensin, substance P and Leu-enkephalin did not show any effect upon somatostatin binding.