Characterization of non-specific digestive disorders in turkey using intestinal morphometry
Résumé
We tried to characterize the non-specific digestive disorders (NSDD) that are increasing in turkey production using intestinal morphometry. Analyses were carried out on 304 turkeys (42 d) from 19 flocks. Turkeys were autopsied to distinguish healthy birds from those with specific or NSDD. Morphometry of the small intestine of healthy birds and birds suffering from NSDD was determined by a histological method (microdissection). Means were subjected to analysis of variance and compared by Student-Newman-Keuls test (p < 0.05). Turkeys with NSDD, non-specific enteritis (NSE) or maldigestion, had a lower body weight than healthy birds (Table). Analysis of intestinal morphometry of turkey with NSE or maldigestion showed a lower intestinal villi development and an increased heterogeneity of the size of these structures (Table). With maldigestion, intestinal crypt depth was increased. The heterogeneity of the crypt depth was increased with NSE or maldigestion. Thus, with NSDD, the smaller villi size led to lower digestive capacity of the intestine. With maldigestion, the increase in crypt depth, place of cell turn-over and mucus production, implied a significant nutritional cost for the animal which uses nutrients for digestive tract renewal instead of using it for its growth. Moreover, the heterogeneity of villi and crypts morphology showed a disorder in intestinal development. NSDD were characterized by important modifications of intestinal structure that might partly explain the lower body weights.
Domaines
Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]
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