This study evaluated the effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor (TM) meal inclusion on gut health of 320 broilers (male and female) by gut microbiota, morphology and mucin composition characterization. The animals received 4 dietary treatments (control feed, 5%, 10% and 15% TM inclusion). The gut microbiota assessment revealed increased ?-diversity in birds fed TM diets, with decreased abundance of physiological microbial population and potential beneficial bacteria being, however, observed in TM males (in particular TM10 and TM15). Gut morphology was negatively affected only in TM15 males. Characterization of gut mucin composition revealed that the utilization of TM meal at low inclusion rates (5%) could be preferable to preserve the protective properties of mucins. In conclusion, dietary TM meal inclusion at low inclusion rates may positively modulate gut health of broiler chickens. However, increasing levels (especially the 15%) may negatively affect the intestinal function of animals.
APPROCCIO MULTIMODALE PER LA VALUTAZIONE DELLA SALUTE INTESTINALE IN POLLI ALIMENTATI CON FARINE DI INSETTO (TENEBRIO MOLITOR): MORFOMETRIA, PRODUZIONE DI MUCINE E MICROBIOTA ENTERICO
F Gai;
2018
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of dietary Tenebrio molitor (TM) meal inclusion on gut health of 320 broilers (male and female) by gut microbiota, morphology and mucin composition characterization. The animals received 4 dietary treatments (control feed, 5%, 10% and 15% TM inclusion). The gut microbiota assessment revealed increased ?-diversity in birds fed TM diets, with decreased abundance of physiological microbial population and potential beneficial bacteria being, however, observed in TM males (in particular TM10 and TM15). Gut morphology was negatively affected only in TM15 males. Characterization of gut mucin composition revealed that the utilization of TM meal at low inclusion rates (5%) could be preferable to preserve the protective properties of mucins. In conclusion, dietary TM meal inclusion at low inclusion rates may positively modulate gut health of broiler chickens. However, increasing levels (especially the 15%) may negatively affect the intestinal function of animals.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
