Dietary carboxymethylcellulose with high instead of low viscosity reduces macronutrient digestion in broiler chickens

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 127; no. 3; pp. 483 - 487
• Main Authors: SMITS, C. H. M, VELDMAN, A, VERSTEGEN, M. W. A, BEYNEN, A. C
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Nutritional Sciences 01.03.1997; American Institute of Nutrition
• Subjects: Animal Nutrition; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium - chemistry; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium - pharmacology; Cecum - anatomy & histology; Cecum - drug effects; Chickens - physiology; Colon - anatomy & histology; Colon - drug effects; Diervoeding; Dietary fiber; Digestion - drug effects; Digestive system; Drinking - drug effects; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastrointestinal Contents - chemistry; Gastrointestinal Contents - drug effects; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Intestine, Small - anatomy & histology; Intestine, Small - drug effects; Leerstoelgroep Diervoeding; Nutrition; Poultry; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Viscosity; Weight Gain - drug effects; WIAS; Viscosity; Starch; Gut; Lipids; Supplemented diet; Fermentation; Proteins; Vertebrata; Cellulose derivatives; Chicken; Aves; Dietary fiber; Digestibility
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/127.3.483
• ISSN: 0022-3166

The question addressed was whether the viscosity per se of dietary non-starch polysaccharides influences macronutrient digestion in broiler chickens. Water-soluble carboxymethylcellulose preparations of low (LCMC) or high viscosity (HCMC) were fed to broiler chickens (n = 10/group) from 21 to 35 d of age. The HCMC preparations reduced weight gain and raised water intake compared with LCMC. After the HCMC diet was fed, viscosity of the supernatant of small intestinal contents was significantly raised. The HCMC preparations raised the group mean ATP concentration in the digesta of duodenum plus jejunum, indicating that bacterial activity was increased. Consumption of HCMC depressed apparent fecal digestibility of lipids and nitrogen and also apparent ileal digestibility of starch. The dietary HCMC tended (P = 0.077) to reduce plasma triglyceride concentrations. After HCMC consumption, the weights of the small intestine and colon, without or with contents, were elevated. The data indicate that high viscosity of digesta in broiler chickens is associated with a reduced macronutrient digestion and impaired growth performance. Because the carboxymethylcellulose preparations were nonfermentable by fresh feces, we suggest that HCMC reduces macronutrient digestion by raising the viscosity of small intestinal contents, which is associated with enhanced bacterial fermentation due to accumulation of undigested material.