A Mathematical Model for Calculating Intestinal Villus Surface Area in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Villus surface area (VSA) is measured to reflect the active absorption surface of the intestine under different experimental conditions. In context, it has been recommended to use a suitable model for calculating VSA of different shapes. However, no more attention has been paid to this point. Thus, a mathematical model, to calculate the VSA of ridge-like shape villi, was proposed for increasing the accuracy of VSA measuring. Then, to test the proposed model, a comparison between the common (tube-like) and proposed (ridge-like shape) models was done using real 416 villi morphometrics (height and width) of one-day-old specific pathogen-free broiler chicks. Also, Python program® was used to do a microcomputer simulation for comparing between models. Statistically, the apex surface area of the tube-like shape was greater than that of the ridge-like shape (P<0.0001). While the total VSA of tube-like shape villus was numerically greater than this of ridge-like shape ones. These results were confirmed by the simulation study. In conclusion, since the villus shape affects the VSA, the proposed model can be recommended for calculating the surface area of the ridge-like shape villi instead of the common ones. Besides villus morphometrics, the villus shape-surface area relationship can be used to explain the changes in absorption capacity and related economic parameters such as growth rate and body weight under different experimental conditions.

Water scarcity can be a critical limitation for the poultry industry

“…Thirst is a subjective perception that motivates an animal to drink as it is a sensation aroused by a lack of water and associated with a desire to drink fluids (Adams et al 2020), which impacts animal welfare (Vanhonacker et al 2008;Tuyttens et al 2010). Providing the optimal requirements of good quality water is necessary for maintaining chicken performance and the gut health and morphology (El Sabry and Abd El-Ghany 2021;El Sabry et al, 2018a). An adult broiler chicken usually drinks about 150 to 200 ml per day, and it can reach up to 300-350 ml per day (Tabler, 2003;Appleby et al, 2004).…”

Factors influencing the development of gastrointestinal tract and nutrient transporters' function during the embryonic life of chickens—A review

“…The small intestine structure, in terms of villus height and width, crypt depth and width and villus height: crypt depth ratio, is an indicator of intestinal development and functionality (El Sabry & Abd El‐Ghany, 2021; Uni et al, 2003; Yamauchi, 2002). The purpose of this article is to shed light on the development of the gastrointestinal tract and nutrient transporters during embryonic development.…”