Effects of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) on

(immune) development in broilers and layers

Kristina Simon

Aart Lammers

Bas Kemp

August 3, 2015

Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)

DSS via drinking water induces colitis

2

DSS affects intestinal barrier function

inflammatory response

DSS changes microbiota composition

effects on immune system

Ohkusa et al., 1995; Stevceva et al., 2001b; Faure et al., 2006; Lupp et al., 2007; Johansson et al., 2010

Aim

DSS as a model for disruption of intestinal homeostasis in chickens?

3

Inflammatory response

accelerated immune development?

effects on immune response?

Differences between broilers & layers?

Experimental Setup

4

Early

Feeding

plain drinking water

plain drinking water

2.5 % DSS d 11 - d 18

2.5 % DSS d 11 - d 18

Challenge d 35 LPS/HuSA i.m.

Measurements

Intestinal morphology

5

Ileal cytokine and Ig mRNA expression levels

Antibody response after challenge

Performance

6

Results

7

Ileum control Ileum DSS

Broiler

Layer

8

Colon control Colon DSS

Broiler

Layer

9

Caecum control Caecum DSS

Broiler

Layer

Intestinal length & performance

10

DSS shorter colon & caecum d 18

Colon still shorter in DSS layers on d 35

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49

BW

(g

)

days post hatch

Broilers

DSS

control

**

***

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49

days post hatch

Layers

DSS

control

***

***

***

***

*

Performance:

Immune parameters

11

Limited effects on ileal cytokine expression levels

Ileal Ig expression levels in DSS broilers

Antibody response towards LPS in DSS broilers

Mortality

12

Differences between broilers & layers: Mortality higher in layers (3% vs 11%) Even several days after cessation of DSS treatment

Discussion

Mortality not expected no mortality in pilot experiment

Severity of colitis may depend on stress Less stress in pilot experiment

13

Layers more affected by DSS & need more time to recover

More susceptible to DSS under stressful situation

Broilers have a higher cell turnover due to rapid growth

Intestinal damage more limited

Gué et al., 1997; Cameron & Perdue, 2005; Saito et al., 2005; Reber et al., 2006

10 d 14 d 21 d

28 d 35 d 42 d

49 d

Conclusion

15

DSS may be a good model to investigate effects of disruption of intestinal homeostasis in chickens

BUT:

≠

More research needed on the appropriate dose

Questions?