Influence of wheat-based diets supplemented with xylanase, bile acid and antibiotics on performance, digestive tract measurements and gut morphology of broilers compared with a maize-based diet

Abstract

1. The aim of the present study was to compare wheat-based diets supplemented with arabinoxylanase, bile acid and virginiamycin with a maize-based diet in their effects on the performance of broilers. 2. The diets were fed to 5 groups of broilers. Group A received a maize-based diet (control), and groups B, C, D and E were fed on wheat-based diets. Diets C, D and E were supplemented with arabinoxylanase (150 mg/kg), bile acid (500 mg/kg) and virginiamycin (200 mg/kg), respectively. 3. A total of 450 1-d-old Ross 385 chicks were randomly divided into 5 groups, each with three pens as replicates (30 birds per pen). The experimental diets were given for 18 d. On d 18, three chickens from each group were slaughtered by cervical dislocation and the liver weight, and duodenal, jejunal and ileal lengths were measured for length and width of the villi and the height of crypts. 4. Arabinoxylanase, bile acid and virginiamycin supplementation significantly increased feed intake and daily gain but had no significant effect on feed conversion ratio. The liver weight was significantly greater in virginiamycin supplemented chicks as compared with those on the diet containing bile acid. 5. Virginiamycin inclusion increased full and empty caeca weight significantly compared with groups A and D. Group A had the lightest caeca. Significant effects of diets were observed on duodenal, ileal and intestinal length, but jejunal length was not affected by diet. The heights of duodenal and ileal, but not jejunal, villi were significantly affected by the treatments. The lengths of villi in groups B and E were significantly higher than other groups. The mean height of ileal villi in group A was significantly higher than in groups receiving the wheat-based diets. The mean width of duodenal and ileal villi was significantly affected by the ration. The height of crypts in group B was significantly higher than in group E. 6. It could be concluded that supplementation of the wheat-based broiler ration with virginiamycin had significant positive effects on gastrointestinal tract characteristics for absorption. Supplementation with bile acid reduced the weight of liver and caeca and the length of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and in small intestine and the height and width of villi.

Effect of inulin on growth performance, intestinal tract sizes, mineral retention and tibial bone mineralisation in broiler chickens

“…It is known that some components of poultry diets can influence the size of intestinal tract. This is the case, for example, for certain nondigestible polysaccharides, frequently referred to as soluble fibre, that have high water-holding capacity and increase digesta viscosity (Annison and Choct, 1991;Brenes et al, 1993;Parsaie et al, 2007). In the current study, the dietary inclusion of inulin had no significant effect on the relative weight and the relative length of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caeca compared with a maize-soybean meal diet without or with supplemental flavomycin.…”

Effect of taurine and bile acid supplementation and their interaction on performance, serum components, ileal viscosity and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

“…Birds which received the highest level of DBA (0.50%) had the highest BWG and the best FCR as compared to 0.0 and 0.25% (P <0.01), while birds which received 0.25% DBA had better BWG and FCR than those which received 0.0% (P <0.01). Similarly, Parsaie et al (2007) reported a significant increase in FI and BWG of broilers fed a diet supplemented with bile acid when compared to the control group. Maisonnier et al (2003) reported that the addition of bile salts to broiler diets increased weight gain.…”

“…Maisonnier et al (2003) reported that the addition of bile salts to broiler diets did not affect the small intestinal supernatant viscosity, but an improvement in weight gain was observed. Parsaie et al (2007) demonstrated that the supplementation of bile acid to wheat-based diets improved body weight gain and feed consumption of broiler chickens. Reinhart et al (1988) also reported that the performance of weaned pigs increased significantly as inclusion of bile salt in the diet was increased.…”

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood metabolites of broiler chickens fed diets formulated on total or digestible amino acids basis with bovine bile salts powder and soybean oil

“…However, they observed that feed efficiency was not influenced by dietary bile salt in broilers. Parsaie et al (2007) also reported a significant increase in feed intake and weight gain of broilers fed a diet supplemented with bile acid. It is well documented that the digestion and absorption of fat in young chickens is poor due to the immaturity of physiological functions.…”