Replacing Maize Grain with Ancient Wheat Lines By-Products in Organic Laying Hens’ Diet Affects Intestinal Morphology and Enzymatic Activity

Nicola Francesco Addeo, Basilio Randazzo, Ike Olivotto, Maria Messina, Francesca Tulli, Nadia Musco, Giovanni Piccolo, Antonino Nizza, Carmelo Di Meo and Fulvia Bovera
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Nicola Francesco Addeo: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Basilio Randazzo: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Ike Olivotto: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Maria Messina: Department of AgriFood, Environment and Animal Science, University of Udine, Via Sondrio, 2, 33100 Udine, Italy
Francesca Tulli: Department of AgriFood, Environment and Animal Science, University of Udine, Via Sondrio, 2, 33100 Udine, Italy
Nadia Musco: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Giovanni Piccolo: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Antonino Nizza: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Italy
Carmelo Di Meo: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy
Fulvia Bovera: Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Federico Delpino 1, 80137 Napoli, Italy

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: The effects of replacement of maize grain with ancient wheat by-products on intestinal morphometry and enzymatic activity in laying hens was studied. Eighty hens were divided into two groups (40 each, 8 replicates, 5 hens/replicate) fed two isoproteic and isoenergetic diets. In the treated group, part of the maize was replaced by a mix of ancient grains (AGs) middling, in a 50:50 ratio of Triticum aestivum L. var. spelta (spelt) and Triticum durum dicoccum L. (emmer wheat). The AG diet affected the weight of all the large intestine tracts, decreasing the weight of caeca ( p < 0.01) and increasing those of colon ( p < 0.01), rectum and cloaca ( p < 0.05). Villus height in the AG group was higher ( p < 0.01) than the control for the duodenum and jejunum, while for the ileum, the control group showed the highest values ( p < 0.01). The submucosa thickness was higher ( p < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum, while the jejunum for the AG group showed the highest ( p < 0.05) submucosa thickness. The crypts depth was higher ( p < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum. Enzyme activity was enhanced by AGs ( p < 0.01) in the duodenum. Regarding the jejunum, sucrase-isomaltase and alkaline phosphatase had higher activity ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) in the AG group. In the ileum, sucrase-isomaltase showed higher activity ( p < 0.01) in the control group, while alkaline phosphatase showed the highest values ( p < 0.05) in the AG group. Overall, results suggested that the dietary inclusion of AGs exerted positive effects in hens, showing an improved intestinal function.

Keywords: ancient grains; organic farm; intestinal morphometry; enzymatic activity; animal performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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