Effect of supplementation of differentially treated banana inflorescence on intestinal morphology in broiler birds

A study was conducted on 96 Vencobb 430, day-old broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of steam treatment on banana inflorescence supplementation as prebiotic on intestinal morphology. The birds were randomly assigned into three treatment groups having four replicates with eight birds per replicate and assigned control diet, formulated in accordance with BIS recommendation to control (T1) group and with supplementation of 0.5% dried banana inflorescence (T2 group) or 0.5% steam treated banana inflorescence (T3 group). After 42 days of feeding trial, the live weight was significantly higher in T3 and T2 than control. Two birds from each replicate were sacrificed to study the intestinal morphometry and pH. The weight of intestine varied significantly (p<0.01) between the treatments and was higher in T3 while the per cent of intestinal weight did not differ significantly. Intestinal morphometry revealed that the villus height was significantly (p<0.01) higher in duodenum, jejunum, and caecum in T3 and ileum in T2. The crypt depth was significantly (p<0.01) higher in jejunum, ileum and caeca in T3 and T2 in duodenum. Caecal crypt depth showed significantly (p< 0.01) low value in T2. Ileal crypt depth ratio was significantly (p<0.01) higher in T2 while the caecum crypt depth was significantly(p<0.01) high in T3. It is concluded that banana inflorescence influenced the gut morphometry in broilers