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Ontogeny of taurocholate accumulation in the terminal ileal mucosal cells of young chicks
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi 39762.
Insights
Newly hatched chicks show a temporary, significant increase in taurocholate accumulation in their ileal cells. This unique, genetically determined peak in bile acid absorption is not influenced by external factors.
Area of Science:
- Animal physiology
- Gastrointestinal absorption
- Bile acid metabolism
Background:
- Bile acids, such as taurocholate, are crucial for fat digestion and absorption.
- Understanding the developmental changes in bile acid transport is important for avian health and nutrition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-related changes in taurocholate accumulation in the terminal ileum of chicks.
- To determine the factors influencing this accumulation during early posthatch development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the everted, ileal ring technique to measure taurocholate uptake against a concentration gradient.
- Studied chicks from hatch to 6 weeks of age.
- Assessed the impact of yolk sac removal, oral yolk feeding, and dietary supplementation.
Main Results:
- Chicks exhibited low taurocholate accumulation at hatch, with a significant three- to fourfold increase by Day 3 posthatch.
- This accumulation peak returned to baseline levels within 2 days and was not observed in other species.
- The peak was independent of yolk sac status, dietary interventions, or general increases in intestinal absorptive capacity.
Conclusions:
- A transient, age-specific peak in ileal taurocholate absorption occurs in chicks during the first week posthatch.
- These developmental changes in bile acid absorption appear to be genetically determined.
- External factors do not influence this unique physiological phenomenon in young chicks.
Abstract:
The everted, ileal ring technique of Little and Lester was utilized to study taurocholate accumulation against a concentration gradient in the terminal ileal mucosal cells of chicks from hatch to 6 wk of age. The chicks had low levels of taurocholate accumulation at hatch. A three- to fourfold increase in accumulation was observed at Day 3 posthatch, but taurocholate returned to baseline levels within 2 days. This peak has not been previously reported in any other species. The age-related peak in the ileal accumulation of taurocholate was not influenced by removal of the yolk sac at hatch, oral feeding of yolk, or supplementation of the diet with taurocholate or cholestyramine. Comparison of ileal uptake of proline versus uptake of taurocholate during the 1st wk posthatch indicated that the peak in ileal taurocholate accumulation is not the result of a general increase in absorptive capacity through cell proliferation. These data suggest that the age-related changes in taurocholate absorption are genetically determined and are not responsive to external influences.