Abstract
ABSTRACTThe effects of dietary supplementation of oregano essential oil (OEO) and a commercial blend of phytogenic (CBP) on intestinal properties, the number of ileal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus were investigated in broilers. Two hundred 1-d-old broiler chicks were assigned to 4 dietary treatments that include: (1) Control (without phytogenic), (2) CBP (150 ppm), (3) OEO (300 ppm) and (4) OEO (500 ppm). Each of the 4 diets was fed to 5 replicates of 10 chicks from hatching to 42 d of age. Jejunal and ileal villi height increased and mascularis thickness decreased by 300 ppm OEO; however, villi surface area and villus height to crypt depth ratio were higher and crypt depth was lower in jejunum compared with control or those fed CBP in the diet (P < .05). In comparison to broilers fed control, CBP and either level of OEO reduced (P < .01) ileal E. coli count at d 21, whereas Lactobacillus count was not different among treatments. From the results, it was concluded that supplementation of 300 ppm OEO in broilers’ diet could improve morphometric parameters of the small intestine and reduce the presence of E. coil in ileal content.
Highlights
Gut health is a major topic for research, in humans and in animals (Placha et al 2014)
Jejunal and ileal villi height increased and mascularis thickness decreased by 300 ppm oregano essential oil (OEO); villi surface area and villus height to crypt depth ratio were higher and crypt depth was lower in jejunum compared with control or those fed commercial blend of phytogenic (CBP) in the diet (P < .05)
The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined phytogenic feed additive containing essential oils from oregano, anise and citrus peel in comparison to the other phytogenic containing only essential oil from Origanum vulgare on the weight of digestive organs, intestinal morphology and ileo-cecal microflora counts in broiler chickens
Summary
Gut health is a major topic for research, in humans and in animals (Placha et al 2014). A limited number of studies have focused on whether phytogenic supplements can improve intestinal morphology (Reisinger et al 2011), it has been reported that some of the herbs and spice plants, for example, cinnamaldehyde or capsaicin, protect the microvilli, which are responsible for the absorption of nutrients (Jamroz et al 2006). Jang et al (2007) indicated that dietary inclusion of a commercial blend of essential oils, with thymol as the main content, decreased E. coli population in ileo-cecal digesta of broilers. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined phytogenic feed additive containing essential oils from oregano, anise and citrus peel in comparison to the other phytogenic containing only essential oil from Origanum vulgare on the weight of digestive organs, intestinal morphology and ileo-cecal microflora counts in broiler chickens
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