The relationship between intestinal histology and function as shown by compensatory enlargement of remnant villi after midgut resection in chickens

Effects of Lonicerae flos and Turmeric extracts on growth performance and intestinal health of yellow-feathered broilers

This experiment aimed to investigate the effect of Lonicerae flos and Turmeric extracts (LTE) added to diets on growth performance and intestinal health of broilers. A total of 720 healthy 21-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups, with 6 replicates and 40 broilers per replicate. These 3 dietary treatments included a basal diet + 0 g/t LTE (CON), a basal diet + 300 g/t LTE (LTE300), and a basal diet + 500 g/t LTE (LTE500). The results showed that dietary supplementation of LTE linearly increased (P < 0.05) average daily gain (d 21-38) and average daily feed intake (d 21-60). At d 60, LTE300 had the highest serum total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase (P < 0.05), and LTE500 had the lowest malondialdehyde level (P < 0.05) among the three groups. Moreover, compared to CON, LTE300 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase activity (d 38); LTE500 significantly (P < 0.05) reduced endotoxin (d 38 and d 60) and diamine oxidase levels (d 60) in the serum. LTE groups significantly (P < 0.05) increased ileal the ratio of villus height to crypt depth and serum immunoglobulin G. Furthermore, dietary supplementation of LTE also improved the intestinal epithelial barrier by the up-regulated mRNA expression of Claudin-1, Occludin and zonula occludens-1, and decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-2, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, nuclear factor κB, myeloid differentiation factor 88 and toll-like receptor 4. Compared to CON, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that LTE300 had a better effect on the microbial diversity and composition in the ileum, and Bacillus and Lactobacillus_agilis were significantly enriched in LTE300. PICRUSt results showed that LTE300 was significantly (P < 0.05) enriched in four pathway pathways at KEGG level 2. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with LTE improved growth performance and intestinal health by enhancing antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and immune function, and regulating intestinal flora of yellow-feathered broilers.

Dietary supplementation of Ocimum gratissimum improves growth performance and immune response in broilers under high ambient temperature

Ocimum gratissimum (OG) was found to have immunity boosting effect on Taiwan country chickens and broiler chickens raised in moderate ambient temperature in previous studies, and the current study investigates its potential on the growth performance, blood traits, intestinal traits, and immune responses in Ross 308 broilers raised in high ambient temperature which can induce mild heat-stress (26 to 33 ˚C, average 30 ˚C). Two hundred 1-d-old male/female chicks were randomly assigned to a control group, three OG (1 g/kg, 3 g/kg, and 5 g/kg)/basal diet groups, and one Amoxicillin group. Data collected during the experiment indicated that the weight gain increase of 1742 g/bird to 1815 g/bird comparing control to 5 g/kg OG supplementation was statistically significant. In addition, the production efficiency factor was also noticeably increased by OG, particularly in the 5 g/kg group, and the uric acid levels were decreased in the 3 and 5 g/kg OG groups (from 4.26 to 2.91 and 2.90 mg/dL, respectively), indicating heat-stress alleviation was observed. Several areas of the carcass saw desirable growth changes, including the increase of breast muscle ratio observed in the 5 g/kg OG group, an overall decrease in abdominal fat in all OG groups, as well as dimensional changes in several areas of the digestive system. Lastly, the hemaglutination, hemaglutination inhibition, and phytohemaglutinin tests indicated elevated immuno-response in all OG groups. In conclusion, OG has exhibited the ability to alleviate symptoms of mild heat-stress, leading to improvement of the digestive organ development and increase of carcass mass and mean weight gain for birds, and we find OG to be a potentially beneficial feed supplement for poultry raising in high ambient temperature conditions.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and fructooligosaccharides, alone or in combination, on performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Clostridium butyricum (CB) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) singly or combined, on performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, immune function and antioxidant capacity in peak-phase laying hens. A total of 288 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (30 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups that included basal diet, basal diet +0.02% of CB (zlc-17: 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g) (PRO), basal diet +0.6% FOS (PRE), and basal diet +0.02% CB + 0.6% FOS (SYN) for 12 weeks. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 12 birds each. The results demonstrated that probiotics (PRO), prebiotics (PRE) and synbiotics (SYN) (p ≤ 0.05), respectively, exerted a positive effect on the performance and physiological response of the birds. There were significant increases in egg production rate, egg weight, egg mass, daily feed intake and reduced number of damaged eggs. and zero mortality rate due to dietary PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05) respectively. Also, feed conversion was improved by PRO (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, egg quality assessment showed that; eggshell quality was increased by PRO (p ≤ 0.05) and albumen indices (Haugh unit, thick albumen content, and albumen height) were enhanced by PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05). Further analysis showed that PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05), reduced heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, increased antioxidant enzymes and immunoglobulin concentration. Although spleen index was higher for PRO (p ≤ 0.05) group. The significant increase in villi height, villi width, villi height to crypt depth ratio and reduced crypt depth were obvious for PRO, PRE, and SYN (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, improved nutrient absorption and retention evidenced by increased digestibility of crude protein and amino acids, were notable for PRO, PRE, and SYN (p ≤ 0.05) group. Collectively, our findings revealed that dietary CB and FOS alone, or combined, enhanced productive performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, and physiological response in peak-phase laying hens. Our results would provide direction on nutritional strategies for gut enhancers and better physiological response of peak laying hens.

Behavior and Immune Response of Conventional and Slow-Growing Broilers to Salmonella Typhimurium

Fast growth rate in broiler chickens comes with welfare concerns and the contribution of growth rate to pathogen resistance and sickness behavior is relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological and behavioral responses of conventional (CONV) and slow-growing (SG) male broilers challenged with Salmonella Typhimurium. CONV (n = 156) and SG (n = 156) chicks were raised in a pen with wood litter shavings until day 7 of age, when birds were transferred to 24 isolators (n = 11 chicks/isolator). On day 14 of age, half of the birds (n = 12 isolators) were challenged with S. Typhimurium (ST) and the other half (n = 12 isolators) received a control (C). On days 7, 13, 17, 21, and 24, body weight was recorded, and blood, jejunum and ileum sections were collected from 2 birds/isolator (n = 48 birds/sampling) to measure plasma IgA and IgG and intestinal histomorphology, respectively. On days 12, 16, 21, and 23, video was recorded to evaluate bird postures (sitting, standing, or locomoting) and behaviors (eating, drinking, preening, stretching, sham foraging, allopreening, and aggression). CONV birds were 70 g heavier (p = 0.03) on day 21 and 140 g heavier (p = 0.007) on day 24 than SG. On day 7, CONV jejunum villus height and crypt depth were 22 and 7 μm greater (p ≤ 0.001), respectively, than SG. On day 24, ST ileum villus height was 95 μm shorter (p = 0.009) than C. IgA increased after day 17 for all birds and at day 21, CONV IgA was greater (p = 0.01) than SG. Although SG IgG was 344 μg/ml greater (p = 0.05) than CONV on day 7, CONV IgG increased with age (p < 0.0001) to greater (p ≤ 0.03) concentrations than SG on day 21 and day 24 by 689 μg/ml and 1,474 μg/ml, respectively, while SG IgG remained at similar concentrations after day 13. Generally, a greater proportion of birds sham foraged as they aged (p < 0.0001). A greater proportion of CONV tended to sit (p = 0.09) and fewer locomoted (p < 0.0001) than SG as they aged. The results illustrate conventional and slow-growing broilers differ in their behavior, immunity, and response to Salmonella.

Histological alterations of small intestine and growth performance of broiler chicks after in ovo copper injection at 10 days of embryogenesis period

This study aimed to assess impacts of early in ovo injection (at 10 days of incubation) of copper (sulfate, acetate, or nanoparticles) on histomorphometric parameters of small intestine and growth performance of post-hatched chicks. Fertile eggs (n = 462) were distributed to seven groups (3 replicates, 22 eggs in each). The first group as a control, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups injected with 100 µL deionized water containing 8 μg/egg of Cu (sulfate, acetate and nanoparticles, respectively), and the 5th, 6th and 7th groups injected with 100 µL deionized water containing 16 μg/egg of the same Cu sources above. Results illustrated that in ovo administration of Cu sulfate and Cu acetate significantly improved histological parameters of small intestine parts of newly hatched chicks compared with the control. Cu sulfate and nano-Cu significantly augmented body weight gain compared with the control. In ovo Cu injection showed a nonsignificant improvement in feed conversion ratio. The highest level (16 μg/egg) of different sources was better than the lowest level (8 μg/egg) in most results. In conclusion, it is recommended that in ovo injection of Cu (16 μg/egg) can improve the growth performance (Cu sulfate and nano-Cu) and the small intestine histomorphometry parameters (Cu sulfate and Cu acetate) of broiler chicks.

Macro- and microstructures of the digestive tract in the Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky 1838): Adaptive interplay between structure and dietary niche

We describe the functional morphology of the digestive tract of the Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto using anatomical, morphometric, histological, histochemical, and ultrastructure techniques, and relate our findings to the species' dietary niche. Our results revealed that the esophagus is displaced on both sides of the neck and has highly folded tunica mucosa, which confer greater elasticity for efficient swallowing and passage of food to the crop. The proventriculus is delicate and its mucosal layer contains polymorphic glands with dense profound and superficial secretory units that open to the luminal surface by gastric pores. The ventriculus is biconvex and lined with a keratinized koilin membrane. The tubular glands within the mucosal lining include the isthmus, the neck, and the basal segment that comprise chief and basal cells with prominent nuclei. At the cuticle-mucosal interface, pyramidal vertical rodlets of the cuticle are secreted and superficially covered by a thin film of a horizontal matrix. The mucosa of the ileum form pyramidal villi that are oriented perpendicularly to the central lumen. Enterocytes infiltrated with goblet cells make up the epithelial lining of the villi. There are subtle differences in the thicknesses of corresponding tunics together with histochemical reactions of alcian blue (AB) and Masson-Goldner trichrome (MT) for their microstructures. Overall, our findings reveal remarkable convergence of both macro-and microstructures in S. decaocto to other granivorous species, and offer further evidence of the close association between functional morphology and feeding style relative to food swallowing, digestion, and absorption.

Histology of the small intestine in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus): A scanning electron microscopy, histochemical, immunohistochemical, and stereological study

The present investigation was conducted to investigate the histology, immunohistochemistry, stereology, and ultrastructure of the small intestine in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ten birds were included in the study. The obtained findings revealed that three parts in the small intestine namely duodenum, jejunum, and ilium constituted of four layers from innermost to outermost including tunica mucosa, tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica serosa. All parts of the small intestine had simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells reacted with Periodic Acid-Schiff and Alcian Blue stains especially in the jejunum and ileum. The cells on the tip of the duodenal villi showed immuno-positive staining for Sox9 protein, while the jejunum and ileum were negative. The jejunum had longest villi; however the duodenum had deepest crypt (p < .05). The villus surface of jejunum was significantly higher than duodenum and ileum (p < .05). SEM images revealed that the duodenum had cauliflower and leaf-like villi with plicas and recess between them. Jejunum had finger-like villi with a velvety view. The shape of the ileal villi was like that observed in the jejunum with slight differences. In conclusion, the jejunum was the most prominent region in the small intestine in terms of morphologic and morphometric features, which could be attributed to the absorption of more nutrients in this area. These obtained findings would be useful to improve the knowledge in the field of histophysiology properties of the bird's digestive system.

Plant origin prebiotics affect duodenal brush border membrane functionality and morphology, in vivo (Gallus Gallus)

The intra-amniotic administration approach has been used to evaluate the effects of plant origin prebiotics on intestinal health and on brush border membrane functionality and morphology. Prebiotics are fermentable dietary fibers, which can positively affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and activity of colon bacteria, thus improving intestinal health. The consumption of prebiotics increases digestive tract motility, which leads to hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy of intestinal cells, increasing nutrient digestive and absorptive surface area. This review collates information about the effects and relationship between prebiotic consumption on small intestinal brush border membrane functionality and morphology by utilizing the intra-amniotic administration approach. To date, research has shown that the intra-amniotic administration of prebiotics affects the expression of key brush border membrane functional proteins, intestinal surface area (villi height/width), and goblet cell number/size. These effects may improve brush border membrane functionality and digestive/absorptive capabilities.

The effects of L-Arginine supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of broiler chickens challenged with Eimeria spp

This study evaluated the effects of varying levels of L-arginine (Arg) on performance and intestinal health of broilers challenged with Eimeria. Cobb 500 male chicks (n = 720) were randomly distributed in a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement (6 replicates/12 birds). The main factors were Arg levels (1.04, 1.14, 1.24, 1.34, 1.44%) and challenge or non-challenge with Eimeria. At day 12, in the challenge group, each bird received orally 12,500 Eimeria maxima, 12,500 Eimeria tenella, and 62,500 Eimeria acervulina sporulated oocysts. At 5 d postinfection (dpi), intestinal permeability was measured. At 6 and 14 dpi, performance, intestinal histomorphology, nutrient digestibility, tight junction protein (TJP) gene expression, and antioxidant markers were evaluated. Few interactions were found, and when significant, the supplementation of Arg did not counteract the negative effects of Eimeria challenge. Challenge, regardless of Arg level, increased intestinal permeability, although the expression of Claudin-1, a TJP, was upregulated. At 6 dpi, the antioxidant system was impaired by the challenge. Moreover, growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, and nutrient digestibility were negatively affected by challenge at 6 and 14 dpi. Regardless of challenge, from 0 to 14 dpi, birds fed 1.44% showed higher weight gain than 1.04% of Arg, and birds fed 1.34% showed lower feed conversion than 1.04% of Arg. At 5 dpi, intestinal permeability was improved in birds fed 1.34% than 1.04% of Arg. Moreover, 1.34% of Arg upregulated the expression of the TJP Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) as compared with 1.24 and 1.44% of Arg at 6 dpi. At 14 dpi, 1.44% of Arg upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and ZO-2 compared with 1.24 and 1.34% of Arg. The nutrient digestibility was quadratically influenced by Arg, whereas the antioxidant markers were unaffected. Thus, the challenge with Eimeria had a negative impact on growth and intestinal health. The dietary supplementation of levels ranging from 1.24 to 1.44% of Arg showed promising results, improving overall growth, intestinal integrity, and morphology in broilers subjected or not to Eimeria challenge.

Growth performance, haematological responses, intestinal microbiology and carcass traits of broiler chickens fed finisher diets containing two-stage fermented banana peel meal

The study investigated the effect of finisher diets containing two-stage fermented banana peel (FBP) meal on growth performance, haematological responses, intestinal microbiology and carcass traits of broilers. From days 22 to 38, 200 broiler chicks were grouped to maize-soybean meal-based finisher diet as a control (CONT) and finisher diets containing either 5% FBP (FBP-5), 10% FBP (FBP-10) or 15% FBP (FBP-15). Birds were blood sampled and slaughtered at day 38. For microbial population and villi height measurement, digesta and intestinal segments were collected. Breast meat was obtained for meat colour determination. Data collected were analysed according to analysis of variance followed by Duncan's multiple-range test when there was significant effect. There was no effect of treatments on broiler growth performance. The relative duodenum weight tended (P = 0.08) to be lower in FBP than in CONT. The mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was higher (P < 0.05) in FBP-5 than in CONT and FBP-15. Uric acid concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in FBP-10 and FBP-15 than in CONT. Feeding FBP tended (P = 0.08) to decrease coliform population in the ileum. Compared to CONT, the ileal villi heights were higher (P < 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) in FBP-10 and FBP-5, respectively. The relative weight of thigh (P < 0.05) and wings (P = 0.07) were higher in CONT than in FBP-fed birds, but the eviscerated carcass was not different (P > 0.05) among groups. The lightness (L*) values of meat were higher (P < 0.05) in FBP-10 and FBP-15 than in CONT and FBP-5. Compared with others, breast meat from FBP-10 birds had lower (P < 0.05) redness (a*) values. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of FBP at the levels of up to 15% had no detrimental effect on growth and health performances of broiler chickens.

Dietary supplementation with vitamin C ameliorates the adverse effects of Salmonella Enteritidis-challenge in broilers by shaping intestinal microbiota

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infection is not only a leading cause of poor production performance and compromised animal welfare in broilers but also a potential threat to public health. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplemental vitamin C (VC) on SE challenged-broilers. In experiment 1, one hundred eighty 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly allocated into 3 treatments, with 0, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg VC included in the diet. In experiment 2, dietary VC at 0 or 500 mg/kg, with or without SE challenge was applied in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in 6 randomized complete blocks. In experiment 1, addition with 500 mg/kg VC increased BW and infectious bursal disease (IBD) titer of broilers on 35 D (P < 0.05), whereas 1,000 mg/kg VC had no effects on the IBD titer (P > 0.05) compared with the control group. In experiment 2, SE challenge depressed BW on 11 and 21 D (P < 0.05 and P = 0.088, respectively), whereas increased mortality and hepatic bacterial translocation (P < 0.05) on 21 D. Further, SE challenge resulted in lower villus height in jejunum, lower microbial richness, and diversity, whereas higher abundance of Enterobacteriaceae in cecum (P < 0.05). Importantly, supplementation with VC increased BW on both 21 and 35 D (P < 0.05 and P = 0.088, respectively) and enhanced the intestinal health by improving villus morphology and microbial structure as indicated by higher cecal microbial richness and Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, while lower abundance of Enterobacteriaceae (P < 0.05). In addition, birds fed with 500 mg/kg VC in the diet had significantly increased jejunal secretory immunoglobulin A levels, T lymphocytes stimulation index, and serum total antioxidant capability compared with groups without VC (P < 0.05). In conclusion, SE challenge induced lower production performance and higher mortality in broilers. However, dietary supplementation with VC ameliorated SE-caused damage in broilers by improving the intestinal health, partly mediated by shaping the structure of cecal microbiota.

Improved growth performance due to hypertrophied intestinal absorptive epithelial cells by heat-killed Lactobacillus sakei HS-1 in broiler chickens1

This study investigated the effect of heat-killed Lactobacillus sakei HS-1 (HK LS HS-1) on the growth performance and intestinal histology of broilers through 2 feeding trials. In trial 1, 48 male broilers were separated into 3 groups: 1) basal diet (1 to 21 d, including antibiotics; 21 to 49 d, not including antibiotics) supplemented with 0 bacterial cells of HK LS HS-1/g (control); 2) 106 bacterial cells were used; and 3) 108 bacterial cells were used. Trial 2 was carried out in a tropical area of Thailand, where 50 7-d-old male broilers were separated into 2 groups: 1) basal diet (control group); and 2) basal diet supplemented with 107 bacterial cells of HK LS HS-1/g. In trial 1, compared with the control, BW gain (linear; P = 0.019) and G:F (linear; P = 0.032) linearly increase with increasing HK LS HS-1 supplementation. In addition, 3 males died in the control group, while none died in the experimental group. In trial 2, growth performance was not significantly different between the groups. Observation of the gross anatomical visceral organs and intestinal histological parameters showed no difference among the groups. However, the weight of the ileum, total small intestine, gizzard, and ceca decreased, while the height of the ileal villus increased with increasing HK LS HS-1 supplementation (P < 0.05). On the duodenal villus apical surface, protuberated cells, cells without microvilli, recently exfoliated regions on villus tips, and deeper cells at the sites of these recently exfoliated cells were more frequently observed in the experimental groups compared to the control; therefore, the duodenal epithelial cells of the experimental groups were hypertrophied by rapid cell turnover. On the ileal villus apical surface, morphological changes (i.e., cell shedding) were not observed, but protuberated cells were observed; thus, the ileal epithelial cells of the experimental groups were hypertrophied by prolonging the detention period of cells on the villus tip without shedding into the intestinal lumen. The results indicate that HK LS HS-1 improves the growth performance of broilers due to the presences of hypertrophied intestinal absorptive epithelial cells on the villus apical surface, which induce enhanced durability against environmental stress.

Impact of dietary supplementation with a synbiotic, organic acids or their combination on growth performance, carcass traits, economic efficiency, jejunum histomorphometry and some blood indices of broiler chickens

The objective was to explore the possible impacts of dietary supplementation with a synbiotic, organic acids or their combination on the growing efficiency, carcass traits and some blood constituents in broilers. In total, 160 1-day-old male broilers (Ross 308) were randomly assigned into four equal groups (40 birds with 8 replicates). The control group received the basal diet with no supplements, while diets of the treated groups were supplemented with organic acids (OA; 1 g/kg), a synbiotic (S; 1 g/kg) and an equal mix of OA and the synbiotic (OS; 2 g/kg). The dietary supplementation with OA decreased the feed intake (P = 0.011) and bodyweight gain (P = 0.011) when compared with other experimental groups. However, the dietary supplementation with the synbiotic plus OA resulted in a considerable improvement in the overall feed conversion rate when compared with the control and OA-supplemented groups (P = 0.001). Groups fed the diets supplemented with the synbiotic or the synbiotic plus OA showed significantly higher net profits and the profit to cost ratio than did the CON and OA-supplemented groups (P = 0.010 and 0.005 respectively). Birds in the S and OS groups had a significantly higher jejunum villus height (P = 0.001), and carcass (P = 0.012) and breast meat (P = 0.001) yields than did those in the control and OA groups. However, the synbiotic-supplemented group produced significantly lower abdominal fat percentage (P = 0.021). The dietary supplementation with the synbiotic or the synbiotic plus OA decreased the lymphocyte counts (P = 0.003) and the serum reduced glutathione concentration (P = 0.001), but significantly decreased the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.001), and the serum cholesterol (P = 0.014) and oxidised glutathione (P = 0.002) concentrations compared with the control and OA-supplemented groups. The present findings showed that dietary supplementation with a synbiotic or a synbiotic plus OA can improve the growth performance, carcass traits, serum antioxidant activity and blood-related indices in broilers.

Assessment of a Nutritional Rehabilitation Model in Two Modern Broilers and Their Jungle Fowl Ancestor: A Model for Better Understanding Childhood Undernutrition

This article is the first in a series of manuscripts to evaluate nutritional rehabilitation in chickens as a model to study interventions in children malnutrition (Part 1: Performance, Bone Mineralization, and Intestinal Morphometric Analysis). Inclusion of rye in poultry diets induces a nutritional deficit that leads to increased bacterial translocation, intestinal viscosity, and decreased bone mineralization. However, it is unclear the effect of diet on developmental stage or genetic strain. Therefore, the objective was to determine the effects of a rye diet during either the early or late phase of development on performance, bone mineralization, and intestinal morphology across three diverse genetic backgrounds. Modern 2015 (Cobb 500) broiler chicken, 1995 Cobb broiler chicken, and the Giant Jungle Fowl were randomly allocated into four different dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were (1) a control corn-based diet throughout the trial (corn-corn); (2) an early phase malnutrition diet where chicks received a rye-based diet for 10 days, and then switched to the control diet (rye-corn); (3) a malnutrition rye-diet that was fed throughout the trial (rye-rye); and (4) a late phase malnutrition diet where chicks received the control diet for 10 days, and then switched to the rye diet for the last phase (corn-rye). At 10 days of age, chicks were weighed and diets were switched in groups 2 and 4. At day 20 of age, all chickens were weighed and euthanized to collect bone and intestinal samples. Body weight, weight gain, and bone mineralization were different across diet, genetic line, age and all two- and three-way interactions (P < 0.05). Overall, Jungle Fowl were the most tolerant to a rye-based diet, and both the modern and 1995 broilers were significantly affected by the high rye-based diet. However, the 1995 broilers consuming the rye-based diet appeared to experience more permanent effects when compared with the modern broiler. The results of this study suggest that chickens have a great potential as a nutritional rehabilitation model in human trials. The 1995 broilers line was an intermediate genetic line between the fast growing modern line and the non-selected Jungle Fowl line, suggesting that it would be the most appropriate model to study for future studies.

The impact of synbiotic administration through in ovo technology on the microstructure of a broiler chicken small intestine tissue on the 1st and 42nd day of rearing

Background

Application the innovative method which is in ovo technology provides a means of modulating the immune system at early embryonic stages. The aim of study was to determine influence of the in ovo stimulation, on d 12 of incubation, with synbiotics (synbiotic 1- L. salivarius IBB3154 + Bi²tos, Clasado Ltd. and the synbiotic 2 - L. plantarum IBB3036 + lupin RFOs) on the microstructure of duodenum, jejunum and ileum in the 1^st and 42^nd day of rearing.

Results

On the 1^st day of chickens life, in the duodenum of both experimental groups (SYN1 and SYN2), a significantly higher and wider intestinal villi as well as a significantly larger absorbent surface of these villi were found in comparison with the Control group (P ≤ 0.01). On the 42^nd day of rearing the beneficial effect of synbiotic 1 was reflected by the numerically higher villi (no statistical differences) with a larger surface (P ≤ 0.01) in the duodenum in the SYN1 group compare to the Control group. In the jejunum on the 1^st day of life, in the SYN1 group, significantly higher villi than in the Control group, with a simultaneous decrease in the depth of crypts (P ≤ 0.01), and also the largest width of villi and their absorbent area (P ≤ 0.01) in comparison to the other groups were found. On the 42^nd day of life, in the jejunum, an increase in the height of the villi whilst reducing the crypt depth in the SYN2 group was found (P ≤ 0.01). In turn, in the SYN1 group, there were significantly more neutral goblet cells observed compared with the control group (P ≤ 0.05). In the ileum of 1-day-old chickens, the widest villi (P ≤ 0.05) and the deepest crypts (P ≤ 0.01) were found in the SYN2 group. In the same group, there was also the least amount of neutral goblet cells in comparison to the other groups (P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

We observed that synbiotic 1 and 2 beneficially affected the examined characteristics on the 1^st and 42^nd day of life. The obtained results allow us to conclude that the use of synbiotics significantly affect gut structure which should contribute to improvement in nutrient absorption by the gut.

Effects of dietary red pepper on egg yolk colour and histological intestinal morphology in laying hens

To evaluate the effect of three kinds of red pepper supplementation 'Kagawa Hontaka' produced at Shiwaku Islands (KHS), Miki (KHM) and Takanotsume (TKT) on production performance, egg quality and intestinal histology in laying hens. A total of 32 laying hens (39 weeks of age) were randomly allotted to four groups, each comprising eight hens. Birds were fed a basal diet supplemented with red pepper at 0% (control), 0.5% KHS, 0.5% KHM and 0.5% TKT, respectively. Compared with the control group, no significant difference (p > 0.05) in feed consumption, final body weight, hen-day production, egg mass, feed efficiency, shell-breaking strength, shell thickness, shell ratio, albumen ratio, yolk ratio and Haugh units was observed among the experimental groups. Roche yolk colour fan (RYCF) value increased significantly in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the KHS and KHM groups showed higher RYCF values than the TKT group (p < 0.05). Spectrophotometric measurements of yolk colour, redness (a*) and yellow index (YI) values were higher in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.0001). The yellowness (b*) value was lower in the TKT group (p < 0.05). The lightness (L*) value was lower in the KHS and KHM groups (p < 0.05). Villus height, villus area, cell area and cell mitosis in all intestinal segments tended to be higher in all experimental groups. Jejunal cell area and cell mitosis were higher in experimental groups than in the control group (p < 0.05). The cells on the villus tip surface were protuberated in all experimental groups. In conclusion, the KHS, KHM and TKT groups showed hypertrophied intestinal villi and epithelial cell functions. These results indicate that dietary red pepper has stimulating effect on intestinal villi and the structure of epithelial cells, and the 0.5% KHS and KHM groups improved in egg yolk colour.

Effects of fermented plant product on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics, and intestinal histology in broilers

1. Fermented plant product (FPP) is a natural fermented food which is produced from a mixture of fermented fruit and vegetables, and rice bran (1:9). 2. To investigate the effects of FPP on growth performance, some blood variables, carcase characteristics and intestinal histology were determined in 192 broilers. They were divided into 4 groups, with 4 replicates of 12 chicks each; the chicks were provided ad libitum access to a diet consisting of 0, 0·5, 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP. 3. The crude protein and metabolisable energy concentrations of these diets were adjusted to 230 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 7 to 21 d old chicks, and 200 g CP/kg and 13·40 MJ ME/kg for the 22 to 49 d old chicks, respectively. 4. At 49 d of age, feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations. Feed intake increased in the 4·0% dietary FPP group, BW gain increased in the 2·0% and 4·0% dietary FPP groups and feed efficiency increased in all experimental groups. 5. There were no differences among diets in the blood variables and carcase characteristics, except for total visceral organ weight, increased in all experimental groups. 6. Most of the intestinal villus heights, villus areas, epithelial cell areas and cell mitosis tended to increase with increase in FPP concentrations; duodenal villus height and cell mitosis in the 2·0 and 4·0% dietary FPP groups, and jejunal cell mitosis in all experimental groups were significantly increased. Compared with flat cells on the villus apical surface in the 0% FPP group, all experimental groups had protuberant cells in all intestinal parts. 7. In conclusion, hypertrophy of the villi and epithelial cells was observed in the present study, indicating improved growth performance, especially in the 4·0% dietary FPP group. Furthermore, increased total visceral organ weights suggested that FPP has no harmful effects on broilers.