Authors : Shanshan Qi and Hongxing Zheng
Abstract: The intention of this study was to examine the effects of oral administration of L. acidophilus L3 on the number of intestinal mucosal immune cells of young bactrian camels. Young camels were fed daily with L. acidophilus L3 (a concentration of 2x109 CFU kg-1 feed) and their intestinal immune cells were assessed on day 28 by the histology, histochemistry and Cell Counting Methods. The number of Intraepithelial Lymphocytes (IELs), Goblet Cells (GCs), plasma cells and mast cells were counted, recorded and compared with the control group. Statistical analysis showed that the number of those intestinal mucosal immune cells were all increased in the probiotic group, compared with the control group and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The distribution tendency of those cells in small intestine was that the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, goblet cells and mast cells was gradually reduced from duodenum to ileum in two groups whereas the number of plasma cells was gradually increased from duodenum to ileum. The results indicated that L. acidophilus L3 has intense influence on the number of mucosal immune cells in small intestine of young camels, supplementation of the diet with L. acidophilus L3 is able to enhance the intestinal mucosal immunity of young camels.
Shanshan Qi and Hongxing Zheng, 2014. Effect of Oral Administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the Intestinal Mucosal Immune Cells in Young Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 13: 763-769.