title: Effect of sodium butyrate on performance, immune status, microarchitecture of small intestinal mucosa and lymphoid organs in broiler chickens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to examine the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on growth performance, immune status, organs weights, and microarchitecture of lymphoid organs and small intestine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 120, 1-d-old broiler chicks were distributed into the following four treatment groups: corn-soy based basal diet (BD) without supplement (control), or the same BD supplemented with 0.1 g/kg zinc bacitracin (ZnB), 0.5 g/kg SB (SB-0.5), or 1.0 g/kg SB (SB-1), respectively. Six birds/group were killed on d-21 and d-35, and samples were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cell-mediated immune response at 48 h post-Phytohemagglutinin-P injection, and antibody titer against Newcastle disease vaccine and sheep red blood cells on d-35 was noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 compared to ZnB and control. Lower (p<0.05) feed conversion ratio (FCR) was attained by the supplemented groups. Thymus and spleen weighed more (p<0.05) in SB-1, and bursa registered more (p<0.05) weight in both SB groups compared to control. On d-21, areas of thymus medulla and spleen germinal centers were noted higher (p<0.05) in SB-1 group. The villus height and villus surface area increased (p<0.05) in duodenum and jejunum in both SB groups on d-21, and in SB-1 on d-35, respectively compared to ZnB and control. On d-21, number of goblet cells containing mucins of acidic nature increased (p<0.05) in all the segments of small intestines in SB-1 group compared to control, and on d-35 in ileum compared to other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, SB improved growth performance and immunity as well as modulated morphology of lymphoid organs and gut mucosa in broiler chickens.
authors.affiliation: Sub-campus, Jhang, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 35200, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Arbab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikandar
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Hafsa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zaneb
authors.affiliation: Sub-campus, Jhang, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 35200, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Younus
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masood
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aslam
authors.affiliation: Monogastric Science Research Centre, Scotland's Rural College, Ayr KA6 5HW, UK.
authors.forename: Farina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khattak
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shahbaz
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yousaf
authors.affiliation: University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Habib
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rehman
keywords: Antibiotic Growth Promoter; Goblet Cells; Intraepithelial Lymphocytes; Mucosa; Organic Acid; Poultry