2002 Volume 39 Issue 1 Pages 42-55
We investigated which of the following substances is most effective for inducing improved growth performance and activated intestinal villus function: a wood vinegar compound solution (WVC), a charcoal powder, or a mixed powder of amorphous charcoal powder and WVC (CWVC). Cockerels (Julia strain) were fed ad libitum the following treatment diets for 28 d : 1) a commercial basal diet (CP, 16% ; ME, 2,800 kcal/kg), 2) 0.1% WVC in water, 3) 1% dietary charcoal powder diet, and 4) 1% dietary CWVC (CP, 2.5%) diet. After the end of feeding experiment, each intestinal segment was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy for morphological changes in the villi.
Although feed intake and body weight gain were not significantly different among feeding experimental groups, they tended to be increased in all experimental groups than those of control after feeding each experimental substance. In the feed conversion ratio, CWVC group showed the lowest value.
Although intestinal villus height, epithelial cell area and cell mitosis number did not show a significant difference among feeding experimental groups, these parameters tended to be more increased in all experimental groups than those of control. In CWVC group, cell area of the jejunum and ileum were significantly elevated (P<0.05).
On the duodenal villus surface of WVC and charcoal groups, some cells devoid of microvilli were observed. In the CWVC group, such damaged cells were not found, and more remarkable cell protuberances than those of the control group appeared, suggesting that duodenal villus function might be activated. Such an activated morphology on the villus tip surface was found in all experimental groups in the jejunum, but in the charcoal and CWVC groups in the ileum.
The present villus morphological findings demonstrate that among WVC, charcoal and CWVC, the dietary supplement of CWVC might be most effective substance for activating the intestinal absorptive function, and that the functional activation of whole intestine including the ileum may induce a slight elevation of chicken growth performance.
