The effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the morphological and histochemical characteristics of the duodenal mucosa in the rabbit

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) on the morphological and histochemical properties of duodenum and duodenal submucosal glands of rabbits. Twenty 5-6 weeks old male New Zealand White Rabbits were obtained from the experimental animal laboratory of Uludag University, Bursa. The rabbits were divided randomly into two groups for 90 day. The first group (control group) received the basal diet, the second group (SC group) received basal diet supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae at a level of 3 g/kg of feed. Duodenal tissue were taken at the end of the experiment from duodenum of animals and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained for localizing and characterizing glycoproteins (GPs) and morphometric measurements. In this study, the total mucosa, villus heights and gland depth of the duodenum were found to be longer than those of the control group in the SC group. However, duodenal crypt depth was greater in the duodenum of control groups, but no significant difference between the groups. The Goblet cells showed similar reaction in the both groups. Brunner glands were similar stained with AB pH 1, pH 2.5 and PAS/AB pH 1 in the both groups. However, they showed stronger positive reaction with PAS and PAS/AB pH 2.5 staining in the SC group compared with the control. In conclusion, the addition of SC to the diet of rabbits increased the total mucosa, villus height, and gland depth. However, the addition of SC also little affected the histochemical features of the duodenum by increased the secretion neutral and acidic mucins in the Brunner's glands. Therefore, it may be proposed that higher doses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae may be used for digestive health.