Digestive Enzymatic Responses of Chickens Feed-restricted and Refed as Affected by Age

Abstract

The effect of feed restriction and refeeding on enzymatic activity and gastrointestinal organ weight was evaluated in chickens at two ages, 7 and 35 d of age. At each age, the birds were 70% feed-restricted for 7 d (30% of ad libitum intake) followed by ad libitum refeeding for 3 d. The control groups were fed ad libitum during equivalent periods (10 d). Pancreatic activity of chymotrypsin, trypsin, amylase and lipase, and intestinal activity of sucrase and maltase were analyzed, and the weights of the proventriculus, gizzard, pancreas, small and large intestine were obtained. Trypsin and amylase activity were lower in the feed-restricted group than in the control groups at d14, whereas sucrase activity was lower in the feed-restricted group than in the control group at d42, showing that the effect of feed restriction on enzyme activity was age-dependent. Feed restriction decreased the weight of all organs in the starter and finisher periods. Upon refeeding, the organ weight increased and reached that of the control group only in chickens that were feed-restricted from d35 to d42. In the starter period, proventriculus and gizzard were less affected by feed restriction. In the finisher period, the gizzard was also the least affected organ, while the small intestine was the most affected. All effects of feed restriction were reversed after 3 days of ad libitum refeeding, indicating that the alterations were fast and reversible. Moreover, response to feed restriction and refeeding is age dependent.

Dietary effects of Sclerocarya birrea caffra seed cake replacing soyabean meal on physiology, meat and bone quality of indigenous chickens

“…Otherwise, the decreased weights of the small intestinal segments and caecum may be due to supposedly low digestive activity of the gut consequent to decreased FI in response to dietary MSC. Indeed, studies have previously demonstrated decreased weights of internal organs ( Palo et al, 1995 ) and small intestine ( Duarte et al, 2014 ) in feed-restricted birds.…”

Effect of feed restrictions on performance, blood variables and immunity of broiler chickens

“…Considering the small intestine, the feed restricted groups showed a reduction in the diameter of the jejunum and ileum, and of the RW of the Ileum, and of the length of the Duodenum and Ileum in comparison with the Con. DUARTE et al (2014) reported that, in the starter period, the gut grows more rapidly than the rest of the body. Therefore, feed restriction in this period can lead to an alteration of gut development.…”

Harnessing Enzymes for Optimal Poultry Feed Formulations (Mini Review)

“…However, some poultry, such as chickens and ducks, have limited amylase activity. Therefore, feed supplementation with extra amylase enzyme can help improve carbohydrate digestion and maximize nutrient availability for poultry (Duarte et al, 2014).…”

“…Therefore, increased feed efficiency can help farmers reduce production costs and increase profits. The use of enzymes can also increase poultry productivity, by estimating the alkan of nutrient absorption and optimal use of feed (Anadón et al, 2019;Bailey, 2019;Bedford & Apajalahti, 2022;Duarte et al, 2014;Ojha et al, 2018;Pandey et al, 2019;Pedersen et al, 2012;Philipps-Wiemann, 2018;Pirgozliev et al, 2019;Ravindran, 2013;L. F. Romero, 2014;Sheppy, 2001).…”