The Impact of Wheat Bran on the Morphology and Physiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

There is increasing evidence showing that moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber can improve nutrient utilization by positively influencing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wheat bran as a source of insoluble fiber on nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant status, gastrointestinal development, digestive enzyme activities and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. A total of 96 one-day-old male Arbor Acre broiler chickens were assigned to two treatments with six replicate cages per treatment and eight birds per replicate for 42 d. Dietary treatments consisted of the control group (CON, control diet) and wheat bran group (WB, 30 g/kg wheat bran). Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy and crude protein on Day 42. Birds fed WB had lower (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol concentration on Day 21, and lower (p < 0.05) serum concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and total triglyceride on Day 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) serum glutathione peroxidase activity on Day 21 and superoxide dismutase activity on Day 42, but tended (p = 0.07) to decrease serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 21, and significantly decreased (p < 0.05) serum malondialdehyde concentration on Day 42. Birds fed WB had a greater (p < 0.05) relative weight of gizzard on both Day 21 and 42. Inclusion of WB increased (p < 0.05) activities of amylase and trypsin in pancreas and jejunal mucosa on Day 21, and increased (p < 0.05) amylase activity in pancreas and jejunal mucosa. Birds fed WB had greater (p < 0.05) villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio in jejunum and ileum on Day 42. In conclusion, supplementation of 30 g/kg WB enhanced nutrient digestibility by improving antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and morphology of broilers.

Dietary fiber in poultry nutrition and their effects on nutrient utilization, performance, gut health, and on the environment: a review

“…Another study by Sadeghi et al [ 55 ] reported that supplementation of basal diet addition with rice hull (40 g/kg) and SBH (40 g/kg) could ameliorate adverse effects of coccidiosis on duodenal villus height but addition of only SBH in basal diet has positive response only on villus height to crypt depth ratio. Similarly, inclusion of wheat bran at a dose of 30 g/kg increased the villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio [ 56 ].…”

Role of Dietary Fiber in Poultry Nutrition

“…It has been reported that additions of insoluble fibers at 1% in diets of pullets can increase the relative weights of proventriculus, gizzard and liver and improve pancreatic proteolytic activity [ 37 ]. Similarly, chickens fed 3% wheat bran have shown increased relative weights of gizzard, small intestine, and pancreatic amylase and trypsin activity that was correlated with increased nutrient digestibility [ 38 ]. The presence of such indigestible carbohydrates (i.e., cellulose, arabinoxylans) and other indigestible plant components (i.e., lignin) upregulate digestion activity as a means to compensate for the reduced hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds among molecules, resulting in an increased nutrient breakdown (digestibility) of others (i.e., starches, protein) [ 2 ].…”

Evaluation of Different Sources and Levels of Diet Diluents on Broilers Performance and Carcass Quality

“…Currently, one of the major challenges in poultry studies is to improve gut health by dietary modulation, especially during the early stages of life. dietary fiber has gained special attention due to its various beneficial effects on poultry (Shang et al, 2020). Increasing the structural components in the diet and manipulating the dietary fiber composition, has been shown to improve gut health, feed utilization and production efficiency and can alleviate enteric disease (Kheravii et al,2018).…”

“…Dietary non-starch polysaccharides (NSP), namely insoluble NSP, which have been shown beneficial effects on gut health, litter quality and nutrient utilization, by increasing crop and gizzard activity, stimulating digestive enzyme production and enhancing bacterial fermentation in the hind gut (Kheravii et al, 2018).There is increasing evidence showing that moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber can T improve nutrient utilization by positively influencing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract (Shang et al, 2020).…”

“…Also, Sahraei and Shariatmadari (2007) reported that increased feed intake and decreased body weight and body weight gain compared to control when diluted broiler diet with 28% wheat bran (wt:wt). On the other hand, Shang et al, (2020) observed that replacing 30 g WB/kg diet enhanced nutrient digestibility by improving antioxidant status, gizzard development, intestinal digestive enzyme activities and morphology of broilers and concluded that moderate amounts of insoluble dietary fiber can improve nutrient utilization by positively influencing the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract.…”