Gut Morphology Of Broiler Chickens Research Articles

The effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 supplementation on the health performance and gut morphology of broiler chickens

The effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CECT 5940 supplementation on the health performance and gut morphology of broiler chickens

Effect of Monovalent Copper Oxide and Potentiated Zinc Oxide on Growth Performance and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens Challenged with Coccidiosis.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of copper oxide (Cu2O) and potentiated zinc oxide (ZnO) on performance, intestinal morphology, oocyst excretion, coccidial lesion scores, and antioxidant properties in broilers during an Eimeria spp. challenge. A total of 288 1-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were divided into 18 treatments. Treatments included three levels of Cu (0, 15, or 150mg/kg) from Cu2O and three levels of Zn (0, 80, or 160mg/kg) from potentiated ZnO which were added to the basal diet and fed to broilers with or without challenge, using a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement for 42days. Live body weight, feed intake, mortality, and the cause of death were recorded weekly and histomorphology of jejunum was measured at the end of the experiment. Results showed that birds fed Cu and Zn linearly decreased (P < 0.0001) oocyst shedding. The number of excreted oocysts was reduced eight times in broilers fed a diet containing 150mg/kg copper from Cu2O and 160mg/kg zinc from potentiated ZnO, compared to the infected group without Cu and Zn supplementation (P < 0.0001). Microscopic features of both non-challenged and challenged broiler jejunum revealed significant improvement along with increased Cu2O and potentiated ZnO doses. Supplementation of Cu2O and potentiated ZnO decreased the jejunum structure damages and intestinal lesion score (P < 0.002). Eimeria caused a decrease (P < 0.006) in total antioxidant capacity. Superoxide dismutase increased by dietary zinc supplementation (P < 0.05). Results suggested that a combination of Cu2O and potentiated ZnO could exhibit efficient anticoccidial activity.

Effects of dietary level of crude protein and supplementation of protease on performance and gut morphology of broiler chickens

Abstract Protease supplementation in feeds can enhance the performance and gut morphology of animals. However, knowledge of the mechanisms by which protease leads to this improvement is limited. We investigated the influence of dietary level of crude protein (CP) and exogenous protease. A total of 800 male broilers (Ross 308, 1 day old) were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments containing 10 replicate pens with 16 birds per pen. The treatments included a standard diet (STD), STD with 0.75% lower protein without protease (S75), STD with 0.75% lower protein and protease (SP75), STD with 1.0% lower protein without protease (S100), STD with 1.0% lower protein and protease (SP100). The overall result showed a greater body weight gain (BWG) in the SP75 diet when compared with S75, SP100, and S100. Feed conversion ratio was lower in the SP75 diets compared with all other treatments. Digestibility of dry matter was highest in the SP75 diet compared with other treatments. Digestibility of CP in the SP75 diet was higher than that with S100. Increased digestibility of lysine was noticed in the protease supplemeted diets when compared with those without protease. Tryptophan, cysteine, and proline were higher in the SP75 diets compared with S100. Glutamic acid was higher in all the treatments compared with STD. The villus height (VH) and VH/crypt depth (CD) in the duodenum and jejunum were greater in the group receiving diets supplemented with protease when compared with those receiving diets without protease. On the other side CD was lower in the SP75 diet-group compared with S100. Similar result was obtained for CD in the ilium. But VH/CD in the ilium was higher in the SP75-, S75-, S100-, and the STD-diet group compared with S100. In conclusion, protease supplemented diets at the SP75-dose gave the optimum result in BWG and dry matter. Digestibility of CP, lysine, tryptophan, cysteine, glutamine, proline, and gut health such as the villus height and VH/CD in the duodenum, villus height, and VH/CD in the jejunum were also greater in the protease supplemented treatments.

Supplementing functional amino acids and polyphenols at low dose can restore performance and amino acid digestibility in broilers challenged with coccidiosis

In broiler chickens, commercial intensive practices exacerbate the pressure of gut heath challenges such as coccidiosis. Coccidiosis impairs nutrient digestion, performance, livability of broiler chickens and reduces overall farm profitability. Literature reports that functional amino acids (AA; arginine, threonine, glutamine) and polyphenols could exert beneficial effects in broilers facing this challenge. The current study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of the supplementation of arginine, threonine and glutamine together with grape extract polyphenols (MIX) on performance, AA digestibility and gut morphology in broiler chickens challenged with coccidiosis.Two hundred eighty-eight (288) newly hatched male broiler chicks of commercial strain (Ross 308) were allocated to 3 treatments with 8 replications. For all except one treatment (Uninfected Untreated Control – UUC), birds were artificially challenged with ADVENT® coccidiosis vaccine 10x dose on day 14. Broiler chickens from the two challenged groups received either no supplementation (Infected Untreated Control – IUC) or a mix of arginine, threonine and glutamine together with grape extract polyphenols at a dose of 1 kg/Ton (IUC+MIX) from day 0 to day 35. Performance and livability were followed during the 35 days of the trial. Lesion scoring, duodenum morphology and fecal oocyst count were assessed on day 21. On day 25 nutrient digestibility was measured on a subset of birds. All data were subjected to an ANOVA and differences among means were detected by multiple range tests.During the course of the trial, coccidiosis challenge reduced growth (-3 g/d, P = 0.008) and feed conversion ratio (-3 pts, P = 0.013) without altering feed intake. It also increased total and species related lesion scores and oocyst counts in feces at d 21 (P < 0.0001). The supplementation of the additive mix restored performance to the same level as the UUC treatment but had no effect on lesion scores and fecal oocyst count. Interestingly, the coccidiosis challenge reduced villous height in duodenum (P = 0.016) which translated into lower digestibility of all AA (P < 0.05), except phenylalanine. The addition of the mix mitigated partially the effect of the challenge on digestibility and to a lesser extent on gut morphology. This study reports that the supplementation of a selected combination of functional amino acids and grape extract polyphenols can fully restore performance of coccidiosis-challenged birds with an improvement of AA digestibility. The results of this study suggest that the mode of action of the mix does not rely on a direct effect on lesion scores, oocyst count or gut morphology and still needs to be determined.

Multi-carbohydrase application into energy and amino acid deficient broiler diets: A strategy to enhance performance of broiler chickens.

The effect of Multi-Carbohydrase (MC) supplementation on growth performance, visceral organ weights, blood metabolites, jejunum morphology, nutrient digestibility, and carcass parameters of broiler chickens fed nutrient-deficient corn soybean-meal based diets containing high levels of non-starch polysaccharides from wheat and wheat by-products was investigated. A total of 378 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to one of seven dietary treatments to give six replicates per treatment (nine birds per pen). Dietary treatments were as follows: (1) positive control (PC; commercial standard diet); (2) negative control 1 (NC-1; PC-120 kcal/kg metabolizable energy); (3) NC-2 (PC-3% standardized ileal digestibility [SID] amino acids). The remaining four dietary treatments were formulated with the addition of MC (MC; Superzyme-CS™) into two negative controls along with two supplementation levels of MC (i.e., 0.025% and 0.05%, respectively). Improved body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) were observed in broiler chickens fed a reduced energy diet supplemented with MC compared to birds fed NC-1 diet from days 1-35. Additionally, birds fed a reduced energy diet with 0.05% MC showed comparable (p > 0.05) growth performance with birds fed PC for 35-day post-hatch. Furthermore, the addition of MC into reduced amino acid diets improved (p < 0.05) growth performance. Broiler chickens fed MC supplemented nutrient-deficient diets showed a greater (p < 0.05) villus height to crypt depth ratio than birds fed diets without MC on days 21 and 35. Similarly, improved (p < 0.05) nutrient digestibility was observed in birds fed reduced energy diets supplemented with MC compared to birds fed NC-1 on days 21 and 35. Our results suggest that MC supplementation into reduced energy or reduced amino acid diets containing wheat and wheat by-products has the potential to improve growth performance and nutrient digestibility while maintaining healthier gut morphology in broiler chickens from 1 to 35 days of age.

Gut Microbiota Dynamics, Growth Performance, and Gut Morphology in Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Varying in Energy Density with or without Bacitracin Methylene Disalicylate (BMD).

High-energy-density diet could increase body weight at the expense of the intestinal health of the animals. In order to optimize production without negatively influencing the gut health of chickens, dietary supplementation with bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) is a common feeding strategy adopted to enhance production performance and intestinal health. Studies have suggested that BMD could improve chicken growth performance and gut health through modulation of the gut microbiota. The current study investigated the effect of BMD supplementation in a normal-energy (NE) or high-energy (HE) diet on growth performance, organ weights, jejunal morphology, and gut microbiota of broiler chickens at different growth stages. Birds were allocated to four treatments: normal-energy basal diet (NE-BAS), normal-energy BMD diet (NE-BMD), high-energy basal diet (HE-BAS), and high-energy BMD diet (HE-BMD). In the starter phase, body weight and body weight gain were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in chickens fed HE diets compared to those fed NE diets. The FCR was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in birds fed HE-BMD diets in the starter phase but lower (p < 0.05) during the grower phase when compared to other treatments. Moreover, the relative bursa weight increased significantly (p = 0.0220) among birds that received HE diets. Birds fed HE-BMD had greater villus height (p = 0.054) than NE-BMD group. Among the chickens fed the HE diets, those that received BMD treatment had a significantly increased (p = 0.003) villus width (13.3% increase) compared to those that received the basal diet. Improved population of Firmicutes was observed in chickens fed HE-BMD diet when compared to HE-BAS. Our results imply that BMD may be more effective in improving intestinal health when supplemented in a high-energy diet for broiler chickens.

Effects of gelatin as an alternative protein source and mono-component protease supplementation on growth performance, viscosity, digestibility and microbial population of ileal digesta, digestive tract traits and gut morphology of broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of using gelatin as a partial protein source and protease in broilers diets. The experiment was carried out as a factorial arrangement, containing two levels of protease (0 and 200 gs per ton of diet) and four levels of gelatin (0, 2.82, 4.23 and 5.64% of the diet replacing 12.5, 18.75 and 25% of the SBM protein, respectively) with 6 replicates and 15 chicks in each pen. Body weight, feed intake and FCR were measured at day 7, 21 and 35. Ileal digesta viscosity, ileal morphology and ileal coliform and lactobacilli population were measured at day 35. In addition, apparent protein digestibility was determined between 28 and 35 days of age. Results show that the highest inclusion rate of gelatin decreased body weight and feed intake (P < 0.05) while, addition of enzyme increased both feed intake and body weight (P < 0.05). Gelatin inclusion deteriorated the FCR whereas supplementation of proteases improved it (P < 0.05). Inclusion of gelatin increased ileal viscosity (P < 0.05) and depressed protein digestibility (P < 0.05). Use of the protease decreased viscosity (P < 0.05) and increased protein digestibility (P < 0.05). Treatments containing gelatin showed a reduction of coliform (P < 0.05) and an enhancement of lactobacilli population of ileal digesta (P < 0.05). Using protease had similar effects on microbial population of ileal digesta. Results of this study shows that using gelatin as a partial replacement of soybean meal protein can be recommended if the inclusion levels are limited to 12.5% or less.

Response in carcass yield, organ weights, and gut morphology of broiler chickens to incremental levels of Vachellia tortilis leaf meal

The objective of this study was to assess the carcass yield, organ weights, and gut morphology response to Vachellia tortilis inclusion in broilers. Unsexed 14-d-old Cobb500™ chicks were randomly assigned to six diets containing 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 g kg−1 dry matter of V. tortilis leaf meal. The slaughter weight (SW), dressed carcass weight (DCW), breast weight, thigh weight (TW), drumstick weight (DW), and internal organs were measured. Villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), epithelial, submucosa, and muscularis thickness were taken. The apparent villus surface area (AVSA) and villus to crypt ratio were calculated. There was a linear decrease in SW and DCW (P &lt; 0.05) with the increase of V. tortilis leaf meal. The SW and DCW decreased by 0.77 and 5.25 g for each g kg−1 increase in V. tortilis, respectively. The TW and DW showed no relationship with levels of V. tortilis leaf meal. The relative weight of gizzard, intestine, stomach, heart, and kidney increased linearly (P &lt; 0.05) as levels of V. tortilis increased. The relative weight of the liver was not related to V. tortilis inclusion. The VH, AVSA, VH to CD ratio, as well as submucosa, muscularis, and epithelial thicknesses linearly increased as the V. tortilis inclusion level increased. There was no relationship between V. tortilis leaf meal inclusion and CD (P &gt; 0.05). The increased morphological measurements suggest that leaf meal inclusion alters gut physiology and could influence the digestion and absorption of nutrients in broilers.

Effect of Dietary Organic Acids and Humic Substance Supplementation on Performance, Immune Response and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens

This study evaluated the additive effects of a commercial feed supplementation blend (Ava Cid P)—consisting of humic substances, coated sodium butyrate, and a small acidifier portion—on the growth, immune response, and gut health of broiler chickens. A total of 540 female and 540 male broilers were raised from 1–49 d. On the first day, the animals were distributed in a completely randomized 2 × 5 factorial design (2 sexes and 5 treatments) with 7 replications of 15 birds each. The 5 treatments were 1) birds did not receive Ava Cid P (control); 2) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d (AVA1–21); 3) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d and 0.45 kg/t from 22–35 d (AVA1–35); 4) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d and 0.45 kg/t from 22–42 d (AVA1–42); and 5) birds received 0.91 kg/t of Ava Cid P from 1–21 d, 0.45 kg/t from 22–35 d, and 0.23 kg/t from 36–49 d (AVA1–49). ANOVA and Tukey's tests were applied to compare the means (P < 0.05) between treatments. The Ava Cid P showed no effect on male or female growth performance or goblet cell density. However, the supplement modified gut morphometry, and jejunum villi were 32% higher at 9 and 35 d in the AVA1–35 birds compared with those of the control group. The apparent villus surface and villus height increased by 87% and 46%, respectively, in the AVA1–49 birds compared with the AVA1–21 birds. The expression of mucin 2 (MUC2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were 1.6% and 0.9% lower in the AVA1–21 birds than in the control birds, but no effects were observed for interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-10. The Ava Cid P altered the mRNA expression of MUC2 and TNF-α and some characteristics of intestinal morphometry, but did not change the performance of broilers.

Intestinal microbial ecology, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology of male broiler chickens fed low-phosphorus diets supplemented with phytase, butyric acid, or Saccharomyces boulardii

Six dietary treatments were applied in a 42-d study to determine the effect of phytase, butyric acid, and S. boulardii on productive performance, intestinal microflora, immune response, stress indicators, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed diets with reduced content of nonphytate P (nPP). On d 0, a total of 750 male broiler chickens were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 pens of 25 broiler chickens for each diet: positive control (PC, adequate amounts of nPP), negative control (NC, 0.1% reduction in dietary nPP content), NC + 500 FTU phytase/kg (PHY), NC + 2 g butyric acid/kg (BA), NC + 1 × 108 cfu S. boulardii /kg (SB), and NC + butyric acid + S. boulardii (BA + SB). Considering the entire study period, body weight gain in broiler chickens fed any of the diets were greater (P < 0.05) than in broiler chickens fed the NC diet, where the broiler chickens fed diets PHY and BA + SB had the greatest value. Broiler chickens fed diets PC, PHY, SB, and BA + SB had greater (P < 0.05) relative thymus weight, primary and secondary antibody response against infectious bronchitis virus vaccine, and cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity to phytohaemagglutinin-P, but lower (P < 0.05) mortality rate and blood corticosterone concentration than those fed the NC diet at d 42. Feeding diet BA + SB increased (P < 0.05) cecal Lactobacillus spp. counts (d 35) and jejunal villus high:crypt depth (d 42), but decreased (P < 0.05) cecal Clostridium spp. counts (d 35) compared with those fed the NC diet. On d 35, the PHY, BA, SB, and BA + SB treatments had also the lower (P < 0.05) population of E. coli and Clostridium spp. in the ileum. No diets affected feed intake, relative weights of abdominal fat and liver, the population of total anaerobic bacteria, Bifidobacterium spp., and Coliforms in both ileum and ceca, serum insulin concentration, and duodenal morphology. In conclusion, the combination of butyric acid and S. boulardii may have synergistic effects on improving productive performance, immune response, intestinal microflora, and gut morphology in broiler chickens fed the low-nPP diet.

Effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus and natural antibacterials on growth performance and Salmonella colonization in broiler chickens challenged with Salmonella enteritidis

In this study, 2 experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of L..acidophilus (LA) and its combination with natural antibacterials [medicinal plant aqueous extracts (MPAE) and organic acids] in broiler chickens challenged with S. enteritidis (SE). In the first experiment, the antibacterial activities of natural antibacterials against SE and LA were assayed. In the second experiment, the effect of the LA and its combination with Thymus vulgaris. L aqueous extract (TVAE) and acetic acid (AcA) in drinking water of broiler chickens challenged with SE was investigated. A total of 420 one-day-old male broiler chickens were randomly allocated to 7 treatments (5 replicates) consisted of drinking water without additives (Control), drinking water supplemented with 200 mL trimethoprim-sulfadiazine/1,000 L (0.02% TS), drinking water supplemented with 200 g LA/1,000 L (0.02% LA), drinking water supplemented with 5 mL AcA/1,000 L (0.5% AcA), TVAE with 5 mg dried extract/mL (0.5% TVAE), 0.02% LA mixed 1:1 with 0.5% AcA (0.02% LA + 0.5% AcA), and 0.02% LA mixed 1:1 with 0.5% TVAE (0.02% LA + 0.5% TVAE). The experiment lasted for 24 d. Based on the in vitro results, TVAE and AcA were chosen out of MPAE and organic acids, respectively, for having the most inhibitory effects against SE (P < 0.001) but they did not have inhibitory effects on the LA. The results of the second experiment indicated that LA and LA + TVAE improved the body weight gain (P < 0.001), whereas AcA had negative effects on the body weight gain, feed intake, water intake, and feed conversion ratio compared to Control (P < 0.001). On d 8, the LA + TVAE reduced fecal shedding of SE compared to Control (P = 0.02). Furthermore, broiler chickens were received TS, AcA, TVAE, and LA + TVAE had the greater Lactobacillus spp. populations in the ileum (P = 0.02). The inclusion of LA + TVAE decreased SE counts in the cecum on d 15 (P = 0.04). The supplementation of LA, TVAE, and LA + TVAE increased the villus surface area of the jejunum compared to (P = 0.009). Villus height in the ileum (P = 0.001) and jejunum (P = 0.02) was longer for all treatments (except for LA in the ileum) than Control. In conclusion, the LA and its combination with TVAE showed positive effects on the growth performance, intestinal microbial ecology, and gut morphology of broiler chickens and could have the potential to be used as a growth promoter.

Influence of dietary supplementation of ginger powder at different levels on growth performance, haematological profiles, slaughter traits and gut morphometry of broiler chickens

The present investigation was performed to determine the impact of the dietary inclusion of ginger powder (Zingiber officinale) on the growth performance, immune response, slaughter traits, blood biochemistry and gut morphology of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty unsexed broiler chicks (Avian 48) were randomly allocated to four equal groups (45 birds each) (G1, G2, G3 and G4), and each treatment had three replicates (15 birds/replicate). The G1 group was fed with basal diet, G2, G3 and G4 were received the basal diet plus 2 g/kg, 4 g/kg and 6 g/kg ginger powder, respectively. The trial lasted for six weeks. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in the final bodyweight of G4 compared with those of G2 and G3. However, total feed intake improved in G2 and G3 and decreased in G4. The lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) was observed in chicks of G3, followed by that of G2. At 42 days old, the gingersupplemented groups showed significant increases in hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre against Newcastle Disease virus. Significant increases in the leucocyte count (WBCs) and serum total protein were noticed only in G4, and cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels decreased significantly in G4. In addition, the serum very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride levels decreased significantly in the gingersupplemented groups compared with G1, and the abdominal fat percentage significantly decreased in the G3 and G4 groups. Additionally, the ginger-supplemented groups showed higher villus lengths and greater crypt depths than the control group. Supplementation with ginger powder at a moderate level up to 4 g/kg diet has beneficial effects on growth performance, and up to level 6 g/kg diet improves histological gut parameters and hypolipidemic properties of broilers. Keywords : Zingiber officinale, chicken, growth, immunity, serum parameters, carcass

English

The use of antibiotics as a growth promoter was banned because of residues that are left in animal products. Alternatives to antibiotics that promote animal growth and health without leaving residues in food are being sought. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of a commercial mixture of functional oils and algae (FOA) on growth and gut morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 224 one day-old Cobb male broilers were randomly divided into 2 dietary treatment groups, with 8 replicate pens per treatment group (14 birds each). The dietary treatments consisted of a control basal diet without FOA, or control diet plus 1.50 kg/ton of FOA. The FOA was a commercial mixture of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis L.), Cashew nut oil (Anacardium occidentale L.) and spirulin (Spirulina sp.). Body weight and viability were not significantly influenced by treatments (P&gt;0.05). Feed intake and feed conversion rate improved significantly upon the use of FOA (P&lt;0.05). Villus height, villus width, crypt depth, or crypt diameter were not influenced by treatments. This therefore suggest that the use of FOA improves performance parameters in broiler chickens and is economically viable. Key words: Anacardium occidentale, body weight gain, feed conversion rate, villus height, Ricinus communis. &nbsp;

Black soldier fly defatted meal as a dietary protein source for broiler chickens: Effects on growth performance, blood traits, gut morphology and histological features

BackgroundThe present study has evaluated the effects of different inclusion levels of a partially defatted black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.; HI) larva meal on the growth performance, blood parameters and gut morphology of broiler chickens. A total of 256 male broiler chickens (Ross 308) were reared from d 1 to d 35 and assigned to 4 dietary treatments (8 replicates/treatment and 8 birds/replicate). HI larva meal was included at increasing levels (0, 5%, 10% and 15%; HI0, HI5, HI10 and HI15, respectively) in isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets formulated for 3 feeding phases: starter (1–10 d), growing (10–24 d) and finisher (24–35 d). Two birds per pen were slaughtered at d 35 and morphometric investigations and histopathological alterations were performed.ResultsThe live weight (LW) showed linear and quadratic responses to increasing HI larva meal (maximum for HI10 group). Average daily gain (ADG) showed a linear and quadratic responses to HI meal (maximum for HI10 group) during starter and growing periods. A linear decrease was observed for ADG during the finisher period. The daily feed intake (DFI) showed a linear and quadratic effect during the starter period (maximum for HI10 group). Linear and quadratic responses were observed for the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the growing period and for the whole period of the experiment. The FCR showed a linear response in the finisher period (maximum for HI15). No significant effects were observed for the blood and serum parameters, except for the phosphorus concentration, which showed linear and quadratic responses as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, the latter of which showed a linear response. The HI15 birds showed a lower villus height, a higher crypt depth and a lower villus height-to-crypt depth ratio than the other groups.ConclusionsIncreasing levels of dietary HI meal inclusion in male broiler chickens may improve the LW and DFI during the starter period, but may also negatively affect the FCR and gut morphology, thus suggesting that low levels may be more suitable. However, no significant effects on the haematochemical parameters or histological findings were observed in relation to HI meal utilization.

Effects of isolated soy protein and broken rice in corn-soy pre-starter diet on performance, intestinal microflora, and gut morphology in broiler chickens

SUMMARY A trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of type of protein and energy sources in pre-starter diet on performance, intestinal microflora and gut morphology in broiler chickens. Pre-starter diets were a 4 × 4 factorial design with 4 levels of isolated soy protein (ISP; 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5%) and 4 levels of broken rice (0, 6, 12, and 18%). All pre-starter diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. A common commercial grower and finisher diet was fed to all birds from 11 to 24 and 25 to 42 d of age, respectively. Birds fed pre-starter diet contained 4.5% and 18% or 3% and 6% and/or 1.5% and 18% ISP and broken rice, respectively had higher (P

Effects of dietary threonine levels on growth performance, serum biochemical indexes, antioxidant capacities, and gut morphology in broiler chickens

A dose-response experiment was conducted to investigate the impacts of dietary threonine (Thr) levels on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, antioxidant capacities, and gut morphology of broiler chickens. Four hundred and thirty-two 1-d-old commercial broilers were allocated to 4 treatments consisting of 6 replicates of 18 birds. The experimental treatments received the same Thr-deficient basal diet and were labeled as follows: 85%, 100%, 125%, and 150% of NRC (1994) recommendations. The results demonstrated that on 21 d and 42 d, average daily weight gain (ADG, 22 to 42 d, 0 to 42 d) increased quadratically or cubically as the inclusion of Thr increased, while feed conversion ratio (FCR, 0 to 21 d, 0 to 42 d) decreased quadratically or cubically as dietary Thr increase from 85% to 150%. Excess dietary Thr levels triggered plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. The concentrations of total protein (TP) and globulin (GLO) increased quadratically with increasing Thr level, and the highest concentrations of TP and GLO were obtained at the 125% Thr level. Moreover, the plasma uric acid (UA) concentration decreased linearly or quadratically with the increase in dietary Thr level. Likewise, the serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total superoxide dismutases (T-SOD) activities increased quadratically as dietary Thr increased, and the highest activity of GSH-Px was obtained at the 125% Thr level, while the highest T-SOD level occurred in the 100% Thr group. Gut morphology of birds showed significant response to different graded concentrations of Thr level. Villus height (VH), crypt depth (CD), and VH:CD ratio (VH/CD) were increased linearly or quadratically by Thr supplementation. Therefore, the present study suggests that the NRC (1994) recommendations Thr level that was optimum for growth performance, and 125% of the NRC (1994) recommendations Thr level had better effects on biochemical indices, antioxidant function, and gut morphology of broilers.

Factors associated with acquisition of enteric episodes in cattle waste handlers in Morogoro, Tanzania.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of prebiotics supplemented diets on performance characteristics and gut morphology of broiler chickens. The study involved 320 day-old Anak broiler chicks, used to assess the utilization of prebiotics [ Mannose oligosaccharides (MOS) and Lactose oligosaccharides (LOS)] by broiler chicks. The chicks were alloted to eight treatment groups of 40 birds each and four replicates of 10 birds each in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. The additives (MOS and LOS) were added to the diets at four levels (0, 250, 500 and 750ppm) per additive. The birds were fed for 56days, after which data on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and ileal morphology were collected. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Results showed that final weight values significantly (p<0.05) ranged from 1276.67 g – 1503.38 g. The ileum morphology of the finishers broilers showed that villi height, lamina propria depth, basal width and apical width were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by prebiotic sources and levels. The villi height of 2250.00μm was highest at 500ppm MOS level of inclusion, while the least value of 538.30μm was obtained in birds fed 0ppm Lactose inclusion. It was therefore, concluded that, prebiotic MOS at 500ppm could be used in feed to obtain the better weight gain and FCR, with normal gut morphology of broiler chickens. Keywords : Performance, ileal morphology, broilers, mannan oligosaccharide, lactose oligosaccharide

Evaluation of Production Performance and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens Fed with Antibiotic, Organic Acid, Probiotic and Prebiotic in Tropical Conditions

Evaluation of Production Performance and Gut Morphology of Broiler Chickens Fed with Antibiotic, Organic Acid, Probiotic and Prebiotic in Tropical Conditions

Performance and ileal characteristics of finishing Broilers fed diets supplemented with prebiotics (Mannose and Lactose)

experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of prebiotics supplemented diets on performance characteristics and gut morphology of broiler chickens. The study involved 320 day-old Anak broiler chicks, used to assess the utilization of prebiotics [Mannose oligosaccharides (MOS) and Lactose oligosaccharides (LOS)] by broiler chicks. The chicks were alloted to eight treatment groups of 40 birds each and four replicates of 10 birds each in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. The additives (MOS and LOS) were added to the diets at four levels (0, 250, 500 and 750 ppm) per additive. The birds were fed for 56 days, after which data on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and ileal morphology were collected. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Results showed that final weight values significantly (p<0.05) ranged from 1276.67 to 1503.38 g. The ileum morphology of the finishers broilers showed that villi height, lamina propria depth, basal width and apical width were significantly (p<0.05) influenced by prebiotic sources and levels. The villi height of 2250.00 µm was highest at 500 ppm MOS level of inclusion, while the least value of 538.30µm was obtained in birds fed 0ppm Lactose inclusion. It was therefore, concluded that, prebiotic MOS at 500ppm could be used in feed to obtain the better weight gain and FCR, with normal gut morphology of broiler chickens.

Effects of organic acid and probiotic on performance and gut morphology in broiler chickens

The effects of organic acid, probiotic and a combination of the two on performance and gut morphology in broiler chickens were investigated. Two hundred and forty one-day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with six replicates, each with eight birds. The treatments were basal diet (negative control, NC), basal diet + antibiotic (positive control (PC)), NC + 0.4% organic acid (OA), NC + 0.3% probiotic (PB) and NC + 0.4% OA and 0.3% PB. Reduced body weight gain (BWG) was recorded for birds on the NC diet at the starter phase and over the total period. The addition of OA significantly increased BWG compared to values obtained in birds on the NC and other diets. Diet had no effect on BWG at the grower phase or on feed intake, dry matter intake and feed conversion ratio in any growth phase. Gain : feed ratio was lowered in the NC diet, but improved significantly by OA and PB in the starter phase. Organic acid supplementation reduced the weight of the bursa of Fabricius. The weight of pancreas, height of villi and crypt depth were reduced in birds on the NC diet compared with those on OA, PB and a combination of these. Diet had no effects on the weights of the lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, liver, villus width, villus height : crypt depth ratio, lactic acid bacteria, coliform bacteria and total bacterial count in any gut section. In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with OA and PB could improve their growth and gut morphology better than antibiotics would, with a greater positive effect in the starter phase. Keywords: Broiler chickens, gut health, organic acids, performance, probiotics