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Published on: June 11, 2009
Total darkness activated intestinal clock system and improved intestinal barrier function in growing rabbits
Yao Li1, Jiali Chen1, Fuchang Li1
1Department of Animal Science and Technology, Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Efficient Feeding, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Tai'an City, Shandong Province, 271018, China.
Total darkness improves rabbit feed conversion efficiency by enhancing intestinal barrier function. This dark environment activates the cecum clock system, boosting bacterial diversity and short-chain fatty acid production.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Understanding the impact of environmental lighting on animal production is crucial for optimizing livestock welfare and efficiency.
- The circadian rhythm plays a significant role in physiological processes, including digestion and metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of a total dark environment on rabbit production performance, intestinal barrier function, and clock-related gene expression.
- To explore how darkness influences the cecal microbiome and short-chain fatty acid production in rabbits.
Main Methods:
- Forty weaned rabbits were divided into two groups: normal light (12L:12D) and total darkness (24D) for 7 days.
- Production performance (feed-to-weight ratio), intestinal barrier gene expression (claudins, ZO-1, occludin, JAM2, IL-10), cecal microbiome diversity, and short-chain fatty acids were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Total dark treatment significantly decreased the feed-to-weight ratio, indicating improved feed conversion efficiency.
- Darkness upregulated key intestinal barrier genes (claudin-1, mucin1, ZO-1, occludin-1, JAM2, IL-10) in the small intestine and cecum.
- Alpha diversity of cecal flora increased in the dark, with shifts in bacterial populations (decreased Deferobacterium, increased Rumenococci) and a tendency for increased short-chain fatty acids.
Conclusions:
- Total dark environment enhances feed conversion efficiency in rabbits.
- Darkness activates the cecum clock system, leading to increased bacterial diversity, short-chain fatty acid production, and improved intestinal barrier function.
