Lysolecithin as feed additive enhances collagen expression and villus length in the jejunum of broiler chickens

Adding lysolecithin to feed has reportedly improved the performance of broiler chickens. Lysolecithin is generated by phospholipase catalyzed hydrolysis of lecithin. The enzymatic reaction converts phospholipids into lysophospholipids, with lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) the primary product. Here we compared supplementation with a commercial lysolecithin (Lysoforte(R) Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) with comparable levels of purified LPC for effects on broilers. Despite no differences in weight gain during the starter period, we discovered a significant increase in average villus length in the jejunum with lysolecithin, but not with LPC. High-throughput gene expression microarray analyses revealed many more genes were regulated in the epithelium of jejunum by lysolecithin compared to LPC. The most upregulated genes and pathways were for collagen, extracellular matrix and integrins. Staining sections of jejunum with Sirius Red confirmed the increased deposition of collagen fibrils in villi of broilers fed lysolecithin but not LPC. Thus, lysolecithin elicits gene expression in the intestinal epithelium leading to enhanced collagen deposition and villus length. LPC alone as a supplement does not mimic these responses. Feed supplementation with lysolecithin triggers changes in the intestinal epithelium with the potential to improve overall gut health and performance. Control group (T1) was provided feed without supplement and was compared to four treatment groups provided feed with either purified LPC, isolated from lysolecithin by column chromatography, (T2, T3) or lysolecithin (T4, T5), each at two different application levels. T2 (LPC-low) contained 9.5 g/T of LPC supplemented as 500 g/T of purified LPC plus carrier. T3 (LPC-high) contained 19 g/T of LPC supplemented as 1,000 g/T of purified LPC plus carrier. T4 (lysolecithin-low) contained 9.5 g/T of LPC supplemented as 250 g/T of lysolecithin. T5 (lysolecithin-high) contained 19 g/T of LPC supplemented as 500 g/T of lysolecithin. Lysoforte (as 50% w/w lysolecithin on carrier) and purified LPC were provided by Kemin Industries Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, USA. Pure LPC was applied to a carrier prior to mixing with feed to ensure homogeneous distribution within the feed. Gene expression was analyzed separately in each tissue for differential expression between treatments.