Effect of different single feeding diets on small intestinal mucosa of cocks: a histomorphometrical study

• Published in: Comparative clinical pathology Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 519 - 522
• Main Authors: Rezaian, M., Hamedi, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Springer London 01.05.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Hematology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Original Article; Pathology; Sunflower meal; Histology; Hull-less barley; Small intestine; Soybean meal
• ISSN: 1618-5641; 1618-565X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00580-012-1643-y

Diet composition as a major factor can affect histological status of the gut. The present study was conducted to evaluate histological changes of small intestinal wall of cockerels fed with high protein, high carbohydrate, or high fiber single diets. To this end, thirty Rhode Island Red cockerels, 70 weeks of age, were randomly allocated into three equal groups and hull-less barley, soybean meal, and sunflower meal supplemented to the basal diet of each group gradually during first week. Birds were fed with 100 % of each of the above diets for the next 2 weeks. At the end of the third week, all birds were sacrificed and small intestines were removed immediately and processed for histological study. Transverse sections from the middle parts of duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were made and stained with H&E and PAS for light microscopic study. Villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and goblet cell number per unit area were determined. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA method. While hull-less barley and soy bean meal diets had no undesirable effect on histological parameters of small intestine, sunflower meal significantly decreased villus height/crypt dept ratio which may decrease nutrient absorption. In conclusion, single feeding with sunflower meal, but not hull-less barley and soy bean meal diets, adversely affects histological feature of intestinal mucosa of cockerels which may lead to decreased nutrient absorption and subsequently declined performance of the birds.