title: Micromineral source affects intestinal morphology but not feather formation in pigeons.
abstract: During 7 weeks, two groups of eight pigeons received Zn, Cu, Mn and Se either as inorganic salts or organically bound to investigate the effect of micromineral source on two fast processes in avian metabolism: feather regrowth and intestinal renewal. Increased plasma Zn with reduced hepatic Cu in the organically bound minerals group suggests improved Zn bio-availability with a net antagonistic effect on Cu. Micromineral source did not affect feather regrowth, organ weight or intestinal pH, but the increased villus height with similar crypt depth pointed to increased absorptive surface.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Heidestraat 19, 9820, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Enass Abd
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: El-Khalek
authors.forename: Isabelle D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Kalmar
authors.forename: Lode
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nollet
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ducatelle
authors.forename: Geert P J
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D010856:Columbidae / Q000502:physiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000494:pharmacology; D004032:Diet; D004326:Drinking; D004386:Duodenum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004435:Eating; D005241:Feathers / Q000254:growth & development*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D007422:Intestines / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D008345:Manganese / Q000494:pharmacology; D008903:Minerals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000378:metabolism; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D014131:Trace Elements; D008345:Manganese; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc