Effect of Heat Stress and Ascorbic Acid on Gut Morphology of Broiler Chicken

Abstract

The experiment was conduct d to evaluate the effect of heat stress and ascorbic acid (AA) on the gut morphology of broiler
chickens. In this regard, macro and micromorphomatric study of the three segment of intestine such as duodenum, jejunum, ilium were
performed along with the nutrients retention in the intestine. For this purpose 180 birds were purchased and divided into four equal
groups i.e. normal temperature with and without AA, high temperature with and without AA supplementation. Our finding showed that
birds reared under heat stress free environment and provided with AA showed significantly higher weight gain and size of intestinal
parts along with higher nutrient retention than all other groups (P<0.05). Moreover, weight and length of Duodenum, jejunum and ileum
was observed significantly (P<0.05) lower in heat stress control group than the AA supplemented group. Thus it was concluded that AA
supplementation improves the villi size and nutrients digestibility when supplemented in normal temperature, whereas significantly
(P<0.05) improves the weight and length of intestine when supplemented under higher temperature.