Intestinal integrity and performance of broiler chickens fed a probiotic, a prebiotic, or an organic acid

Abstract

KeywordsScanning electron microscopy, morphometrics, intestinal mucosa, intestinal wall.Submitted: May/2013 Approved: February/2014 ABStRACt This study aimed at evaluating the intestinal integrity, using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the performance of broiler chickens fed additives alternative to antimicrobials. A total of 1080 male chicks were distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design, with six treatments with six replicates of 30 birds each. The following treatments were evaluated: basal diet (control), basal diet supplemented with an antimicrobial, basal diet supplemented with a probiotic, basal diet supplemented with a prebiotic, basal diet with a symbiotic, and basal diet supplemented with organic acids. Weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and livability were recorded when broiler chickens were 10, 21, 35, and 42 days old. On day 42, 72 birds were individually weighed and sacrificed. In order to evaluate the morphometrics of the different intestinal wall layers, segments of the small intestine and the cecum were collected from two birds per replicate, and intestinal integrity (SEM) was evaluated in the same segments of two birds per treatment. During the starter period (1-21 days old), birds fed the alternative additives presented similar weight gain as those fed the antimicrobial product, but were not different from control birds. Feed conversion ratio of birds fed alternative additives was better than that of the control birds from one to 10 days of age, but not during the remaining rearing period, and was similar to the birds receiving the antimicrobial. The morphometric parameters of the different intestinal wall layers was not influenced by the treatments. During the total rearing period, the evaluated alternative additives did not improve intestinal integrity or broiler performance.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, Organic Acids and Enzymes on Productive and Economic Efficiency of Broiler Chicks

“…These findings agreed with Dizaji et al (2013), Fernandes et al, (2014) and Akoy (2015). They reported that FCR was low in all treated groups compared to the control group, and the lowest value was found for the synbiotic group.…”

“…Concerning feed intake, the organic acid group of Cobb breed showed the highest value (3.87 kg), and the lowest value was found for the synbiotic group of Ross breed (3.65 kg). These results agreed with Akoy (2015) and Fernandes et al (2014). They found that feed amount was high in prebiotic and organic acid groups compared to the control group, while the lowest values were found in synbiotic and probiotic treated groups.…”

The Effect of Propionic Acid Addition in Poultry Diets on the Internal Organs of Broiler Chickens

“…Mabelebele et al (2014) reported that the intestinal length of the broiler chicken with Ross strain 308 was 163.10 cm (duodenum 31.90 cm, jejunum 60.60 cm, and ileum 70.60 cm). The length of the small intestine found in this study was longer compared to the results of reported by Fernandes et al (2014) which observed that the length of small intestine of broiler chickens aged 42 days fed with several combinations of organic acids is 141.37 cm with a duodenal length 30.25 cm, jejunum 55.87 cm and ileum 55.25 cm. Meanwhile, the results of research by Adil et al (2011) reported a longer small intestine in broiler chickens fed with several types of organic acids than those fed without organic acids supplementation.…”

Effects of different methionine sources on growth performance, meat yield and blood characteristics in broiler chickens

“…And left breast meats, left leg meats, liver, and abdominal fat were weighed and expressed as the relative weight to live body weight. Production index (PI) was calculated by the following formula: PI = ((livability × average daily gain))/((feed conversion ratio × 10)) (Fernandes et al 2014).…”