Dietary Copper Improves Intestinal Morphology via Modulating Intestinal Stem Cell Activity in Pigs

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Gastroenterology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Copper (Cu) is a vital micronutrient for animal health.
• Dietary copper's impact on piglet growth and intestinal health is known, but mechanisms are unclear.
• Intestinal stem cells (ISC) are crucial for intestinal epithelium development and renewal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the hypothesis that dietary copper influences piglet intestinal development by modulating ISC activity.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of copper's effects on the intestine.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 85 piglets fed varying dietary copper sulfate (CuSO4) concentrations (25-125 mg/kg) in two phases.
• Analysis of intestinal morphology, including villus width and height, and Ki67-positive cell counts.
• In vitro experiments assessing copper sulfate's effects on ISC activity, including organoid budding efficiency and crypt development.

Main Results:

• Increased dietary copper decreased villus width but increased Ki67-positive cells (cell proliferation) in phase 1.
• Higher copper levels (125 mg/kg) in phase 2 significantly increased villus height.
• In vitro, copper sulfate enhanced organoid budding efficiency, crypt depth, and crypts per organoid, indicating improved ISC activity.

Conclusions:

• Dietary copper supplementation improves intestinal morphology in finishing pigs.
• Copper promotes intestinal development through enhanced cell proliferation and modulation of intestinal stem cell activity.