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BMC veterinary research2022; 18(1); 338; doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03433-y

Gut health of horses: effects of high fibre vs high starch diet on histological and morphometrical parameters.

Abstract: The conventional feeding management of horses is still characterized by high starch and low fibre diets, which can negatively affect horse's gastrointestinal health. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of a high-starch (HS) vs. a high-fibre (HF) diet on gut health in horses. A total of 19 Bardigiano horses destined for slaughter and aged 14.3 ± 0.7 months were randomly allotted to two dietary groups: HS (5 fillies and 4 colts,) and HF group (7 fillies and 3 colts). They received the same first-cut meadow hay but different complementary feeds for 72 days: HS group was fed 8 kg/animal/day of a starch-rich complementary feed while HF group was fed 3.5 kg/animal/day of a fibre-rich complementary feed. At slaughter, stomachs were separated and washed for the evaluation of the glandular and squamous regions. Also, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, apex of the caecum, sternal flexure, pelvic flexure, right dorsal colon, rectum and liver were excised and submitted to histomorphometrical evaluation. Results: The glandular region of HS group presented more severe gastric mucosa lesions compared to the HF group (P = 0.006). Moreover, a statistical tendency (P = 0.060) was found for the squamous region, presenting a higher score in HS than HF diet. Regarding morphometry, in jejunum villus height to crypt depth (Cd) ratio was influenced by sex, being greater in males than in females (P = 0.037) while in ileum Cd depended on interaction between sex and diet, being greater in males of HS group (P = 0.029). Moreover, in the duodenum and right dorsal colon the severity of the inflammation depended on sex (P = 0.024 and 0.050), being greater in females than in males. On the contrary, in the jejunum and in the pelvic flexure, inflammation was influenced by diet, being more severe in HS than in HF group (P = 0.024 and 0.052). Conclusions: These results suggested that HS diet provoked more severe mucosa lesions in the glandular region of the stomach and a higher inflammation both in the jejunum and pelvic flexure. The present study can represent a starting point for further investigations on gut health in horses.
© 2022. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2022-09-08 PubMed ID: 36076239PubMed Central: PMC9454146DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03433-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Clinical Trial
  • Veterinary
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research compared the impact of high-starch and high-fibre diets on the gut health of horses. It concluded that a high-starch diet resulted in more severe gastric mucosa lesions and inflammation in the jejunum and pelvic flexure compared to a high-fibre diet.

Methodology

  • The study involved 19 Bardigiano horses that were arbitrarily divided into two groups: one subjected to a high-starch (HS) diet, and the other a high-fibre (HF) diet. The HS group comprised 5 fillies and 4 colts, while the HF group had 7 fillies and 3 colts.
  • For 72 days, each group of horses was given the same first-cut meadow hay but different supplementary feeds. The HS group received a starch-rich supplement at 8kg per animal per day, while the HF group had a fibre-rich supplement at 3.5kg per animal per day.
  • After the feeding period, the animals were euthanised for investigative purposes. Parts of the gut, liver, and other relevant sections were separated for assessment.

Findings

  • The horse group on the high-starch diet had more severe lesions in the glandular area of their stomachs when compared to those on the high-fibre diet.
  • There was also a statistical inclination for more damage in the squamous region of the stomachs of horses on the starch-rich diet.
  • In terms of the jejunum morphometry, the villus height to the crypt depth ratio was different according to sex, with male horses having higher ratios than females.
  • In the ileum, the crypt depth was influenced by an interplay between diet and sex, with male horses from the high-starch diet group presenting larger numbers.
  • Regarding inflammation, distinctions were noted based on sex and diet for different parts of the gut. In the duodenum and the right dorsal colon, inflammation was more pronounced in females. In contrast, the jejunum and the pelvic flexure showed more severe inflammation in horses on the starch-heavy diet.

Conclusion

  • These outcomes suggest that a high-starch diet could be detrimental to horses’ gut health, leading to more severe mucosal lesions and inflammation in certain gastrointestinal tract parts.
  • The findings can act as a base for further research into horse gut health and the influence certain nutrients or feeding strategies might have.

Cite This Article

APA
Colombino E, Raspa F, Perotti M, Bergero D, Vervuert I, Valle E, Capucchio MT. (2022). Gut health of horses: effects of high fibre vs high starch diet on histological and morphometrical parameters. BMC Vet Res, 18(1), 338. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03433-y

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 18
Issue: 1
Pages: 338
PII: 338

Researcher Affiliations

Colombino, Elena
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy. elena.colombino@unito.it.
Raspa, Federica
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
Perotti, Maria
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
Bergero, Domenico
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
Vervuert, Ingrid
  • Institute of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Diseases and Dietetics, Faculty of Leipzig, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, 04103, Germany.
Valle, Emanuela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.
Capucchio, Maria Teresa
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, Grugliasco, 10095, Turin, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animals
  • Cadmium
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / veterinary
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Fiber
  • Female
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Inflammation / veterinary
  • Male
  • Random Allocation
  • Starch

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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