Performance, Gross Morphology, Histopathology and Morphometry of the Gut of Broilers as Influenced by Chitosan Derivatives and Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii at Different Inclusion Frequencies

Abstract

The performance, gross morphology, histopathology and morphometry of the gut of broilers as influenced by chitosan derivatives
and Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii (SCB) at different inclusion frequencies were described and compared in this study. After
the feeding trial, gross morphology and tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) were evaluated. Morphometrics
were measured (m) using Moticam®application. The type of feed supplement was assigned as Factor A (negative control, chitosan
derivatives, S. cerevisiae boulardii and doxycycline hydroxide) and frequency of supplementation as Factor B (once a week, two
times a week, three times a week and four times a week). Sixteen (16) groups were used having varying types of supplement and
frequency of feed additive inclusion. Production performance, body weight, average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency, revealed
highly significant differences among feed supplements given (p ¡ 0.05). Necropsy findings demonstrated that the small intestines were
apparently normal. The gross morphological changes observed in some treatments include hyperemia, thinning and thickening of
the gut wall. However, no significant lesions were noted. Histopathologically, no critical findings were noted in the gut. In terms of
morphometry, there is a highly significant difference between treatments in terms of duodenal, jejunal and ileal villi height, depth of
crypts and villi to crypt ratio (p ¡ 0.05). Moreover, providing SCB and DH two or three times a week may significantly improve the villi to
crypt ratio of small intestines; depth of crypt of jejunum and ileum and villi height of ileum as reflected in the production performance
indices.