Objective: The potential effects of the prenatal administration of dexamethasone and the postnatal treatment with 2-oxoglutaric acid on postnatal development of the small intestine of farm animals have not been examined experimentally. The aim of this study was to establish the changes in morphologic parameters of the small intestine damaged by the prenatal action of dexamethasone in piglets supplemented with 2-oxoglutaric acid.
Methods: Three milligrams dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly every second day from day 70 of pregnancy to parturition and then piglets were supplemented with 2-oxoglutaric acid for 35 d of postnatal life (0.4 g/kg of body weight). The histomorphometry of the pig duodenum and jejunum was determined. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-Ki-67, CD3, null T cells, cadherin, claudin, and neurofilament antibodies was performed.
Results: Maternal treatment with dexamethasone decreased and limited the expression of claudin and cadherin in the epithelium. Dexamethasone led to thinning of the myenteron of the duodenum and the middle part of the jejunum in weaned piglets and influenced duodenal glands that became more elongated compared with control glands. Moreover, 2-oxoglutaric acid increased cell proliferation and the amount and maturity of peripheral blood lymphocytes in the duodenum and jejunum. It supported epithelial integrity and changed the circularity of the nerve plexuses.
Conclusion: The 2-oxoglutaric acid administered to piglets while suckling induced a complete recovery from intestinal damage caused by the prenatal action of dexamethasone.
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