Abstract
ABSTRACT Many kinds of feed additives can be used in chicken diets to stimulate intestinal morphological maturation and, consequently, intestinal function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of zeolite on broiler performance, gut morphology and gut digestive enzyme activity. The one-day old broiler chickens Ross 308 were assigned randomly into 3 groups with 30 birds per treatment. The 3 dietary treatments were: basal diet only (control group), basal diet + 2% zeolite, basal diet + 3% zeolite. Morphological and morphometric intestinal assessments were conducted using a light microscope. There was observed increase in villus height, villus perimeter, villus section area and crypt depth throughout duodenum and mid jejunum of the broilers fed zeolite. Supplementation especially with 2% zeolite was associated with greater villus heights, villus perimeter, villus section area and crypt depth in duodenum and ileum mucosa compared to the controls. The diet with 2% zeolite also contributed to significant increase proventriculus (pepsin) and pancreas (trypsin, lipase) activity compared to the controls The results suggest that dietary supplementation of zeolite increased feed consumption, intestinal morphology parameters and enzyme activity of gastrointestinal tract in broiler which improved growth performance.
Highlights
Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) is a natural crystalline porous mineral
Numerous studies have proved that zeolite added as a dietary supplement to the rations of cattle, pigs and poultry results frequently in beneficial weight gains and lower susceptibility to disease showing regular digestions as well as an increase in appetite of animals because zeolites slow down the passage rate of digesta through the digestive tract and control the release of nutrients in the small intestine (Papaioannou et al, 2002, Ural et al, 2013, Valpotic et al, 2016)
There was a noticeable increase of feed consumption in broilers which received dietary supplementation of 2% and 3% of zeolite compared to the control
Summary
Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) is a natural crystalline porous mineral. Natural zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with unique adsorption, cationexchange (Wu et al, 2013a). Numerous studies have proved that zeolite added as a dietary supplement to the rations of cattle, pigs and poultry results frequently in beneficial weight gains and lower susceptibility to disease showing regular digestions as well as an increase in appetite of animals because zeolites slow down the passage rate of digesta through the digestive tract and control the release of nutrients in the small intestine (Papaioannou et al, 2002, Ural et al, 2013, Valpotic et al, 2016). Adding zeolites to broiler diets plays a significant role in the final phase of nutrient digestion and assimilation resulting in the improved body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, growth rate morphology of the small intestine (Incharoen et al, 2010a, Mumpton, 1999). For the first time, the effect of Transcarpathian zeolite on the morphology of the small intestine and enzyme activity in gastrointestinal tract in male broiler chickens was studied
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