Abstract
Simple SummaryIn this study, the effects of first feed administration on intestinal morphology, barrier function, and plasma hormones in broilers during the initial 168 h posthatch. Results revealed that early feeding posthatch had a positive effect on small intestinal growth by increasing weight and improving intestinal morphology and barrier function. In other words, early feeding promoted intestinal development, which could be very meaningful for commercial broiler production.(1) Background: Under practical conditions, newly hatched chicks were usually withheld feed and water for 48 to 72 h. It was shown that early feeding after hatch promoted gastrointestinal development of broiler chicks. However, the mechanism of early feeding affecting intestinal development in chicks needs further research. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of first feed administration on intestinal morphology, barrier function, and plasma hormones in broilers during the initial 168 h posthatch. (2) Methods: A total of 720 one-day-old chicks (newborn chick, Lingnan Yellow) were placed 2 h after hatch and randomly assigned to three treatments: Group A (feed immediately after placement), Group B (fasting for 24 h after placement), and Group C (fasting for 48 h after placement). The trial lasted for 168 h and water ad libitum all the time. Sampling was performed at 0, 24, 48, 72, 120, and 168 h. (3) Results: Higher (p < 0.05) absolute weight and relative weight of the small intestine were observed in Group A. Moreover, the villus height, crypt depth, and ratio of the jejunum and ileum were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Groups A and B than those in Group C. Microvilli of the duodenum were closely packed in Group A but sparse and disorganized in Groups B and C. The expression levels of mRNA and protein of tight junction genes (occludin and claudin-1) were upregulated (p < 0.05) in Group A. The levels of gastrin and insulin in plasma were decreased (p < 0.05) significantly in the Groups B and C. However, chicks in Groups B and C had higher (p < 0.05) plasma glucagon levels at 24 and 48 h after placement. (4) Conclusions: These results suggested that early feeding posthatch had a positive effect on small intestinal growth increasing weight and improving intestinal morphology and barrier function.
Highlights
In the past few decades, the poultry industry has grown rapidly, with poultry consumption increasing globally, and this increase is expected to continue, especially in developing countries [1].Faster growth and higher feed efficiency have been made during the past decades
A healthy gut is critically important for better growth performance of poultry
We evaluated the effects of early feed deprivation on intestinal barrier function by testing changes in the intestinal tight junctions using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blots analysis
Summary
In the past few decades, the poultry industry has grown rapidly, with poultry consumption increasing globally, and this increase is expected to continue, especially in developing countries [1]. Faster growth and higher feed efficiency have been made during the past decades. Broiler chickens have undergone huge genetic selection pressure for improved growth performance, resulting in drastic changes in feed conversion ratio, which increased nearly 50% over the last few decades [2,3]. A healthy gut is critically important for better growth performance of poultry. Commercial broilers are grown to market weights at ever-decreasing ages so that the first week posthatch represents an increasing proportion of the total growing period, and an important period relative to optimizing intestinal growth and development [4]. The chickens undergo hatchery treatments, such as vaccination, sex determination, and beak trimming before they are transported to the farm [6]
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