Influence of in ovo inoculation of probiotic strains on the jejunal goblet cell counts and morphometry in peri- and post-hatching chicks

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of in ovo inoculation of different probiotic strains (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus acidilactici) on jejunal goblet cells counts and morphometry in chicken. Probiotics were inoculated into the amniotic fluid of 480 eggs (day 17 of incubation), with four treatments and five replicates. At days 21 of incubation and 3 post-hatch, counts of goblet cells were 30% and 16% higher in the jejunum of group inoculated Bacillus subtilis as compared with the control group, respectively. Inoculation of Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus acidilactici had no effect (P>0.05) on goblet cells counts. Inoculation of Bacillus subtilis and Pediococcus acidilactici resulted in an increase of villus height, a decrease in crypt depth and a decrease in ratio of villus height to crypt depth compared with the control group (P>0.05), at days 8 and 28 of age. As a conclusion, various effects of different probiotic strains on goblet cells count and intestinal morphometry were observed. Among probiotic strains evaluated in this study, Bacillus subtilis has higher benefit effect on goblet cells counts in the early of life and morphometry of jejunum.

Keywords

• incubation
• intestine
• morphology
• goblet cell
• probiotic