ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of onion (Allium cepa L.,) on the performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology of broiler chicks. Three hundred and twenty day old broiler chicks (Ross) were randomly divided into four groups as A, B, C and D. Group A served as control without any supplementation, group B, C and D was supplemented with onion powder at the rate of 1.5, 2 and 2.5g/kg of feed respectively. Supplementation of onion significantly (P<0.05) increased weight gain and feed consumption. Supplementation of onion showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the population of E. coli and increased significantly Lactobacillus and Streptococcus species. Onion supplementation significantly (P<0.05) increased the morphometry of length, width, crypt depth and surface area of the villus in duodenum, jejunum and ileum of the small intestine. In conclusion, onion supplementation in broiler produced a positive effect on performance, gut microflora and intestinal histomorphology.
Subject(s)
Chickens/microbiology , Dietary Supplements , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology , Intestines/microbiology , Onions , Animals , Eating/physiology , Escherichia coli/physiology , Intestines/cytology , Lactobacillus/physiology , Random Allocation , Weight Gain/physiologyABSTRACT
Avaliou-se a utilização do óleo essencial extraído dos frutos de aroeira-vermelha (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) na dieta de frangos de corte sobre o desempenho e a morfometria intestinal. Utilizaram-se 240 pintos de um dia de idade, machos, da linhagem Cobb, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em grupos de cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições: sem antibiótico e anticoccidiano (controle negativo); com antibiótico e anticoccidiano (controle positivo); com 0,1 por cento de óleo de aroeira; com 0,2 por cento de óleo de aroeira; e com 0,4 por cento de óleo de aroeira. O consumo de ração, peso corporal e conversão alimentar foram influenciados significativamente pelos tratamentos (P<0,05). As aves tratadas com promotor de crescimento (antibiótico) tiveram desempenho superior ao desempenho das aves não tratadas (P<0,05). De 1-21 dias de idade, a adição de 0,4 por cento de óleo de aroeira resultou em melhoria na conversão alimentar e maior ganho de peso (P<0,05). De 22-47 dias de idade, observou-se que, independente do nível de adição de óleo de aroeira, sua utilização resultou em maior ganho de peso e peso final (P<0,05) e maior altura de vilosidades no jejuno das aves alimentadas com óleo de aroeira comparadas com as aves tratadas com controle negativo (P<0,05). O óleo de aroeira melhorou os índices de produção e aumentou a superfície intestinal absortiva.
The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of essential oil obtained from the fruits of Brazilian red pepper in the performance and intestinal morphometry of broilers. A total of 240 day-old male chicks Cobb were used, distributed in a randomized design in groups of five treatments and four replicates of 12 birds each: diet without antibiotics and anticoccidial agent (negative control); diet with antibiotic and anticoccidial agent (positive control); diets with 0.1 percent of Brazilian red pepper oil; diets with 0.2 percent of Brazilian red pepper oil; diets with 0.4 percent of Brazilian red pepper oil. Feed intake, body weight and feed conversion were influenced by treatments (P <0.05). It was observed that the broilers fed with the growth promoter antibiotic had a superior performance than the untreated broilers (P<0.05). In the period of 1-21 days, the inclusion of 0.4 percent Brazilian red pepper oil resulted in improvements in feed conversion and increased weight gain compared to other treatments (P<0.05). From 22-47 days of age it was observed that regardless of the level of Brazilian red pepper oil, their use resulted in a higher weight gain and final weight (P<0.05) and it was recorded a maximum villous height in broilers fed with Brazilian red pepper oil as compared to birds not treated with antibiotics (P<0.05). The Brazilian red pepper improved production rates and increased the intestinal absorptive surface.
