Breed and Sex Differences in the Gross Anatomy, Digesta pH and Histomorphology of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Gallus Gallus Domesticus

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the influence of breed and sex in the gross anatomy, digesta and histology of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. Chickens were slaughtered at 90 days of age and the pH of the digestive organs was measured immediately after slaughter.The digestive organ weights and lengths of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens were measured. Tissue samples of the duodenum, ileum and jejunal from each treatment group were collected and histologically examined. Higher (p<0.05) gizzard pH values were observed in male and female of Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The jejunal and ileal pH values were lower (p<0.05) for Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The absolute weights of the gastrointestinal tract, crop, proventriculus and gizzard were lighter (p<0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens. The relative organ weights of the GIT, proventriculus, gizzard and caeca were higher (p<0.05) in Venda chickens than in Ross 308 broiler chickens aged 90 days. Male chickens had higher (p<0.05) relative organ weights than female chickens. Interactions between breed and sex influenced (p<0.05) the absolute weights of the crop, proventriculus, caeca and large intestine. Ileum villus heights of female Venda chickens were higher (p<0.05) than those of female and male Ross 308 broiler and Venda chickens. The male and female Ross 308 broiler chickens had higher (p<0.05) ileum and duodenum crypt depths than male and female Venda chickens. The duodenum and ileum villus height/crypt depth ratios were higher (p<0.05) in male and female Venda chickens than Ross 308 broiler chickens. In overall, male broiler chicken performed better.

Productive performance of Mexican Creole chickens from hatching to 12 weeks of age fed diets with different concentrations of metabolizable energy and crude protein

“…All the above mentioned may explain why chickens, fed with the diet lower in ME and CP, showed greater relative weight of the crop, gizzard and pancreas. Mabelebele et al [ 23 ] reported that digestive organs in male chickens are heavier and longer than in females, which can result in greater production of digestive enzymes and a greater contact surface for the absorption of nutrients, and result in a higher rate of growth. In the present experiment, the females had greater relative empty weight of the proventriculus, gizzard and caeca, greater relative weight of the liver and pancreas as well as greater relative length of the small intestine and caeca.…”

Response of broilers to supplementation of branched-chain amino acids blends with different valine contents in the starter period under summer conditions

“…On d 14 and 42, after 10 h fasting and free access to feed, four birds with BW within one standard deviation of the mean treatment weight were slaughtered humanely and chilled at 4°C for 12 h. The influences of gender were not determined on the studied parameters. To determine weights of carcass and metabolically active organs (liver, heart, pancreas, whole gut and its segments) and tissues (breast and thigh muscles), abdominal cavities of all carcasses were opened and then, they were carefully removed and weighed after its contents were cleaned [ 12 , 17 ]. The small intestine was carefully dissected from the mesentery and divided into its segments as duodenum, jejunum and ileum [ 6 ].…”

Histometerical and Morphological Studies of Digestive Tract and Associated Glands in Domestic Pigeon (Columba livia) with Regard to Age

“…Digestive tract of the vertebrates varies anatomically as well as physiologically among the different species. Even among the bird species, variation in length and weight of small intestine does exist (Mabelebele et al, 2017). Similarly, anatomical topography of the crop rigorously depends on species (Kierończyk et al, 2016).…”