title: Effects of clinoptilolite and modified clinoptilolite on the growth performance, intestinal microflora, and gut parameters of broilers.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural clinoptilolite (NCLI) and modified clinoptilolite (MCLI) on broiler performance, gut morphology, and its relation to gut circumstances. A total of two hundred forty 1-d-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 3 treatments, each of which comprised 8 pens of 10 chicks per pen. Birds in the control group were fed the basal diet, whereas those in the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with NCLI at 2% (NCLI group) or MCLI at 2% (MCLI group) for 42 d. The results showed that compared with the control, supplementation with NCLI or MCLI had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on productive parameters from d 1 to 42. Supplementation with MCLI and NCLI was associated with greater (P < 0.05) villus height in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those areas in the controls from d 1 to 42. However, supplementation with NCLI and MCLI had no significant (P > 0.05) influence on the crypt depth in the jejunal and ileal mucosa compared with those in the controls. Total viable counts of Escherichia coli were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by MCLI and NCLI from d 1 to 21. The NCLI and MCLI significantly increased the total viable counts of Lactobacillus acidophilus from d 22 to 42. Small intestine and cecal pH values in the MCLI group were found to be lower (P < 0.05) than those in other groups. Total volatile fatty acid concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in both experimental groups from d 22 to 42. This study showed that NCLI or MCLI, as feed additives for broilers, had a positive effect on gut parameters by acting on microbial populations of the digestive tract.
authors: College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
authors: Q J
authors: QJ
authors: Wu
authors: L C
authors: LC
authors: Wang
authors: Y M
authors: YM
authors: Zhou
authors: J F
authors: JF
authors: Zhang
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005766:Gastrointestinal Contents / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007422:Intestines / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D017641:Zeolites / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; C083175:clinoptilolite; D017641:Zeolites