A Histochemical and Histometric Study on Small intestine Morphology by Feeding Organic and Inorganic Copper, Zinc and Manganese Sources in Laying Hens

In the present study, hens were fed with recommended ratio by NCR (National Research Council) and 66% and 33% ratio of organic and inorganic copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) sources, to evaluate the effect on small intestinal system morphology and possible relationship between the small intestine and bioavailability in the laying hens feeding. We used the 45 weeks old 336 brown (Lohmann Brown) laying hens and the hens were divided into six groups, each organic and inorganic three replicates groups of 56 chicks; 1st group fed with 100% organic dietary supplement, 2nd group fed with 100% inorganic dietary supplement, 3rd group fed with 66% organic dietary supplement, 4th group fed with 66% inorganic dietary supplement, 5th group fed with 33% organic dietary supplement and 6th group fed with 33% inorganic dietary supplement for five weeks. The results suggest that both the organic and inorganic sources increased the intestinal system goblet cells number and crypt depth, whereas these feeding decreased the villus height in chicken small intestinal system.