Biomaterial Database

The effects of chronic exposure to elevated environmental temperature on intestinal morphology and nutrient absorption in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus). 1992

M A Mitchell, and A J Carlisle

AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics Research, Midlothian, U.K.

1. Exposure of growing broiler chickens to elevated environmental temperature (35 degrees C) for two weeks, markedly reduced food intake (29%) and growth rate (37%) compared to birds maintained at 22 degrees C. 2. These changes in growth were accompanied by increased in vivo jejunal uptakes of galactose (36%) and methionine (50%) measured per unit intestinal dry weight. 3. Both the electrogenic (phloridzin sensitive) and non-electrogenic (phloridzin insensitive) components of galactose absorption were increased by 24 and 52% respectively during the chronic heat stress. 4. The size of the absorptive compartment may be reduced by the heat stress as reflected by decreased villus heights (19%) and wet (26%) and dry (31%) weights per unit length of jejunum. 5. It is suggested that the changes in hexose and amino acid during chronic exposure to elevated ambient temperature may reflect adaptations to optimise nutrient absorption in the face of reduced nutrition and decreases in the size of the absorptive compartment. A functional hypothyroidism (plasma luminal T3 decreased by 66%) associated with heat stress may contribute to the observed alterations in jejunal structure and function.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007408	Intestinal Absorption	Uptake of substances through the lining of the INTESTINES.	Absorption, Intestinal
D007421	Intestine, Small	The portion of the GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT between the PYLORUS of the STOMACH and the ILEOCECAL VALVE of the LARGE INTESTINE. It is divisible into three portions: the DUODENUM, the JEJUNUM, and the ILEUM.	Small Intestine,Intestines, Small,Small Intestines
D008715	Methionine	A sulfur-containing essential L-amino acid that is important in many body functions.	L-Methionine,Liquimeth,Methionine, L-Isomer,Pedameth,L-Isomer Methionine,Methionine, L Isomer
D009929	Organ Size	The measurement of an organ in volume, mass, or heaviness.	Organ Volume,Organ Weight,Size, Organ,Weight, Organ
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken
D004435	Eating	The consumption of edible substances.	Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D005260	Female		Females
D005690	Galactose	An aldohexose that occurs naturally in the D-form in lactose, cerebrosides, gangliosides, and mucoproteins. Deficiency of galactosyl-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALACTOSE-1-PHOSPHATE URIDYL-TRANSFERASE DEFICIENCY DISEASE) causes an error in galactose metabolism called GALACTOSEMIA, resulting in elevations of galactose in the blood.	D-Galactose,Galactopyranose,Galactopyranoside,D Galactose
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic