Journal
POULTRY SCIENCE
Volume 86, Issue 11, Pages 2396-2403Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.3382/ps.2007-00222
Keywords
host-microbial interactions; development; chick; goblet cell; mucin
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Mucins possess potential binding sites for both commensal and pathogenic organisms and may perform a defensive role during establishment of the intestinal barrier. To observe the effects of bacteria on intestinal goblet cell mucin production during posthatch development, differences in the small intestine of conventionally reared (CR) and low bacterial load (LBL) broiler chicks were examined. Jejunal and ileal goblet cells were stained with either periodic acid-Schiff stain or high iron diamine-alcian blue pH 2.5 to discriminate among neutral, sulfated, and sialylated acidic mucins. Total goblet cell numbers and morphology of goblet cells containing neutral and acidic mucins did not differ significantly between CR and LBL birds. However, significant differences in acidic mucin composition from primarily sulfated to an increase in sialylated sugars at d 4 posthatch were observed in CR chicks, with greater numbers of jejunal and ileal goblet cells displaying this mucin type (CR, 0.5 +/- 0.1 x 10(3) cells/mm(2); LBL, 0.04 +/- 0.02 x 10(3) cells/mm(2)). This change in mucin profile in response to bacterial colonization suggests a potential role as a protective mechanism against pathogenic invasion of the intestinal mucosa during early development.
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