In livestock species, the small intestine plays a crucial role as the site for food digestion and nutrient absorption, and these functions are carried out by the epithelial cells forming a single layer on the surface of the intestine. Research on these animals has been essential to improve their health and productivity, and to achieve this, immortalized cell lines and primary cell cultures have been employed as in vitro models. However, these models had limitations as they could not completely replicate the functionality of real tissues. Recently, methods for culturing intestinal organoids from various livestock species, including pigs, cattle, chickens, rabbits, and horses, have been developed. Intestinal organoids address several drawbacks associated with traditional in vitro models, opening up new possibilities for studying intestinal epithelia. This paper explores the development of intestinal organoids in various livestock species and the research based on these models.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a mycotoxin commonly found in animal feed, particularly in corn-based products. Exposure to FB1 can damage multiple organs, including the intestine, but its molecular effects on intestinal epithelial cells remain incompletely understood. This study investigated FB1-induced toxicity in porcine intestinal epithelial (IPEC-J2) cells and screened natural products for protective effects. Exploratory gene expression profiling identified genes showing predefined expression changes following FB1 exposure, and subsequent Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated associations with apoptosis-related processes. Annexin V/propidium iodide staining showed increased apoptosis-associated staining, while quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) showed altered expression of BCL2, CASP3, and CASP9. To identify protective candidates, 332 natural products were evaluated using high-throughput screening. Among the screened extracts, C. communis showed the highest cell viability in the primary screening and was selected for further investigation. Co-treatment with C. communis was associated with reduced apoptosis-associated staining and partial counteraction of FB1-associated changes in apoptosis-related gene expression. These findings suggest that C. communis warrants further investigation as a natural product for mitigating FB1-associated intestinal epithelial toxicity.