Feed management can also influence mucin/mucous
homeostasis, both immediately posthatch and at older
ages. Uni et al. (2003) reported that delayed access to
feed immediately posthatch (48 h) reduced the total
number of enterocytes, particularly in the jejunum, but
increased the density of goblet cell staining in both the
ileum and jejunum. Smirnov et al. (2004) further reported
that fasted chicks (72 h) had decreased BW
and villus area but there were no effects on the proportion
of goblet cells relative to total cells but the
size of goblet cells was significantly greater than in fed
chicks. This was accompanied, however, by a decrease
in the mucus adherent layer and the authors speculated
that this could have been the result of increased mucolysis.
Bar Shira et al. (2005) showed that similar to
what has been reported for delayed feeding responses
on overall intestinal development, GALT development
was also delayed in chicks that had feed and water withheld
for 72 h posthatch. These authors reported a prolonged
reduction in antibody response to rectal immunization
(hindgut) with hemocyanin compared with a
much shorter term reduction following oral immunization
of the foregut with bovine serum albumin.