Influence of Zinc and Ascaridia galli Infection on Morphometry of Intestine in Chickens

Abstract

To obtain more information of zinc influence to nematode infection in intestine, we studied the effect of inorganic zinc and Ascaridia galli infection on morphometry of jejunum in chicken broilers. Thirty five day old chickens (n= 24), COBB 500 breed were included in a 14-day experiment. Chickens were divided into 4 groups of 6 chickens each: control (C), Ascaridia galli (AG), Zinc group (Zn), and combined group (AG+Zn). Samples from jejunum for determination of villus height, cutting surface area and depth of crypt were taken at 7 and 14 day during necropsy. Positive effect of zinc on the height of villi was observed at the second sampling in the combined group. Similarly, depth of crypts was significantly shorter in chickens of combined AG+Zn group in comparison to AG group. The ratio of villus height to depth of crypt in jejunum demonstrated significantly lower coefficient in Ascaridia galli infected group what supposed severe accumulation of immunocompetent cells and oedema in pure AG group. The data of our findings suggest that dietary supplementation of inorganic Zn into the diet of chickens improved small intestinal morphology in nematode infected broilers what can suggest better feed conversion in Ascaridia galli infected intestine.