Effect of different levels of crude glycerol on the morphology and some pathogenic bacteria of the small intestine in male broilers

Abstract

The gut health of poultry is closely associated with feeds and feeding. The experiment was conducted to the effect of crude glycerol addition to diets of male broilers on the bacterial microflora and morphology of their small intestines (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). A total of 120 Ross 308 broiler chicks received diets containing 0% (GLY 0), 4% (GLY 4) or 8% (GLY 8) crude glycerol for 42 days. The presence of Coliform bacteria and Enterobacteria was reduced in the duodenal tract of the broilers of GLY 4 (P < 0.001); however, the presence of Staphylococci/Micrococci in the GLY 8 was reduced relative to the other groups (P < 0.001). The presence of Salmonella spp. decreased in conjunction with the increasing quantities of glycerol (P < 0.001). Analysis of the data regarding gut morphology (epithelial cell thickness, villi length and width, and crypt length and width) indicated that the glycerol levels fed to the different groups of broilers represented statistically different results in the small intestine. In general, whereas the diet with 4% glycerol statistically affected the investigated parameters of the gut, the diet with 8% glycerol statistically affected some segments of the broiler intestines.Keywords: glycerol, broilers, bacterial microflora, villi, crypt ImplicationsAlthough glycerol can be an attractive alternative energy source for animal feed, it has its own limitations in terms of lower energy content than oils, impurities and possible effects on the metabolic activity of the animals. There are still a number of unanswered questions about glycerol. One of the questions is what is the effect of glycerol on gut health? We wanted to investigate the potential physiological effects of glycerol on the intestine of broilers. This research was aimed at determining the effects of crude glycerol levels on the bacterial microflora and morphology of the small intestines in male broilers.

Identification of Potential Biomarkers for Gut Barrier Failure in Broiler Chickens

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Effect of organic acids–essential oils blend and oat fiber combination on broiler chicken growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal health

“…To obtain the final value of the ISI index, the IF of each alteration was multiplied by the respective score number, and the results of all alterations were summed according to the formula ISI = Σ(IF × S), where IF is the impact factor, and S is the score. Additionally, other morphometric measurements including villus height (from the base of the intestinal mucosa to the tip of the villus excluding the intestinal crypt), crypt depth (from the base upward to the region of transition between the crypt and villi), and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio were evaluated ( Ozdogan et al., 2014 ).…”