Comparative development of digestive organs, intestinal disaccharidases and some blood metabolites in broiler and layer‐type chicks after hatching

Abstract

1. Body weight, digestive organ weights, and activities of disaccharidases (maltase and saccharase) activities were determined from day of hatch to 21 d of age in meat- and egg-type chickens. Blood plasma was analysed for enzyme activities and metabolite concentration. 2. In meat-type chickens food intake and growth rate were about 3-fold those in egg-type chickens. Food efficiency was superior in meat-type chickens throughout the experimental period. 3. Meat-type chickens hatched with disaccharidase activities exceeding those found in their egg-type counterparts 2- to 5-fold. From 7 d of age on, this trend reversed, i.e. activity was much higher in egg-type than in meat-type chickens. 4. Blood plasma amylase activity increased gradually in meat-type chickens and was higher than in egg-type chickens to 14 d of age. No breed differences were observed for alkaline phosphatase or lactate dehydrogenase activities during the experimental period. 5. Blood plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, and calcium, were lower in meat than in egg-type chickens.

Effects of the inclusion of sunflower hulls in the diet on growth performance and digestive tract traits of broilers and pullets fed a broiler diet from zero to 21 d of age. A comparative study

“…In fact, at 21 d of age, the relative weight of all the organs of the GIT, and the relative length of the small intestine and cecum, were significantly greater in pullets. Similar data have been reported by Mahagna and Nir (1996) and Zavarize et al (2012) comparing broilers and pullets at young ages. The data suggest that when comparing chicken lines with marked differences in rate of growth, the interest of comparing in relative terms the weight and length of the GIT organs should be taken cautiously (Buzala et al, 2015).…”

Age-Dependent Changes in the mRNA Levels of Neuropeptide Y, Proopiomelanocortin, and Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in the Hypothalamus in Growing Broiler Chicks

“…In contrast, there was no significant change in CRF mRNA level from postnatal day 1 to 15 in rats (Emanuel et al, 1989). However, little is known about the age dependent change of these neuropeptides in chicks, although increased food intake in broiler chicks was observed in early postnatal period (Mahagna and Nir, 1996).…”

Desempenho de frangos de corte alimentados com rações pré-iniciais contendo diferentes níveis de proteína bruta e energia metabolizável

“…Os valores máximos da amilase e lipase no pâncreas foram observados aos 8 dias de idade, e no intestino delgado os valores máximos foram obtidos aos 4 dias de idade para a lipase e aos 17 dias de idade para a amilase. Mahagna & Nir (1996), avaliando o desenvolvimento da atividade de enzimas envolvidas com a digestão de carboidratos, concluíram que a atividade das dissacaridases (maltase e sacarase), até os sete dias de idade, é maior nas aves tipo carne do que nas de postura e, após essa idade, essa atividade é maior nas aves de postura. Lu & Shen (1998) verificaram, em frangos de corte Arbor Acres, que o pico de atividade da tripsina e da quimiotripsina ocorreram aos 7 e 21 dias de idade, e para pepsina, aos 14 dias de idade.…”