Adding wheat and rapeseed meal to corn-soy diets affects intestinal morphology and nutrient digestibility in broilers

E Amirahmadi,Y Mehmannavaz,A.R Safamehr,A Nobakht

doi:10.4314/sajas.v50i6.5

E Amirahmadi, Y Mehmannavaz + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v50i6.5

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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation on rations with two different energy (wheat or corn) and protein resources (soy or rapeseed meals) on gut morphology and protein digestibility of broiler chickens. Three hundred eighty-four male Ross-308 broiler chickens were used with a 23 factorial arrangement with treatments according to a completely randomized design. The morphological examinations of the intestine were carried out on 1-cm long excised segments from duodenum, jejunum and ileum. Adding wheat to the diet increased small intestine length in birds compared to other feedstuffs (P <0.05). Duodenum crypt depth and jejunum villi length were also higher in groups fed with rations containing wheat (P <0.05). Groups that received thyme essential oil and enzyme supplementation had increased length of the duodenum (P <0.05). However, the two- and three-factor interaction effects were not significant. Protein digestibility was not affected by treatment (P >0.05). Feeding wheat to broiler chickens may increase the surface area for nutrient absorption in the small intestine as compensation for the anti-nutritive activity of non-starch polysaccharides in wheat-based diets. Wheat based diets are expected to be acceptable for broilers when supplemented with appropriate enzymes or thyme essential oil.

Highlights

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) of cereal grains exhibit anti-nutritive activity when present in broiler diets (Annison & Choct, 1991)
Phytic acid found in wheat prevents the absorption of minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese, and zinc by binding to them before they can be absorbed in the small intestines (Lopez et al, 2002)
The lengths of all segments of the small intestine were significantly affected by the grain provided as the dietary base

Summary

Introduction

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) of cereal grains exhibit anti-nutritive activity when present in broiler diets (Annison & Choct, 1991). In order to reduce these problems and increase the efficiency of wheat for use in poultry diets, different nutritional additives have been used as supplements. These supplements include organic acids and specific enzymes can be used in poultry diets especially containing highly levels NSP from grains such as wheat and rye (Shahir et al, 2012). Sharma et al (2018) studied the use of enzyme supplementation in broiler diets substituting rice for corn on performance and the economics of meat production finding that higher doses of enzymes (50 g on 100 kg feed) resulted in improved performance and reduced production costs These supplements include organic acids and specific enzymes can be used in poultry diets especially containing highly levels NSP from grains such as wheat and rye (Shahir et al, 2012). Sharma et al (2018) studied the use of enzyme supplementation in broiler diets substituting rice for corn on performance and the economics of meat production finding that higher doses of enzymes (50 g on 100 kg feed) resulted in improved performance and reduced production costs

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