Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Obese and overeating children are at risk of obesity and its complications in adulthood. Research on childhood obesity encounters numerous challenges in mammals. Broiler chicks are a suitable animal model for studying childhood obesity. Genetically, broiler chicks exhibit high growth rates. They are hyperphagic, hyperglycemic, and capable of accumulating abdominal fat, and their diet can be managed from birth. Soybean oil, which is rich in omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid and low in omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-6 : n-3 ratio = 7.50), is widely utilized in human nutrition. However, conflicting findings have been reported regarding the efficacy of this oil in humans and rodents. Effects of a soybean oil-enriched diet (4.00% total fat as a control vs. 11.00% total fat as a treatment) on metabolic disorders in broiler chicks were evaluated from hatching to 36 days of age. Results showed no changes in food intake, body weight, appetite-regulating neuro-peptide mRNA levels, blood triglycerides, or hematological parameters. In contrast, the relative abdominal fat, blood cholesterol, aortic wall thickness, intima layer, and area of fat cells increased significantly in treatment group compared to control group. Signs of liver fat infiltration (steatosis) and changes in the aortic intima layer, including increased distance between elastin fibers, were observed. In conclusion, in middle-term-fed broiler chicks, a model for childhood obesity using soybean oil high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to early atherosclerosis, fatty liver, adipose dysfunction, and hypercholesterolemia, without impacting body weight or food intake.

Abstract In the present study, chicory root powder (CRP) as growth promoter at 1% and 3% levels was supplemented in broilers’ diet to investigate the growth performance and histo-morphometry of jejunum. One hundred twenty, one-day-old male broilers were used in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 treatments and 4 replicates (10 chicks per replicate). At the end of each period (0-10, 11-24 and 0-24 days), feed intake (FI), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. At the end of experiment (day 24), one bird per replicate was sacrificed for breast weight (BW), drumstick weight (DW), and jejunum length (JL) as a percentage of body weight, and histomorphometry of villus. The FI increased by 3% CRP in the 1^st period (p < 0.01). The percentage of WG significantly increased at 1% during the 1^st period and, in the 2^nd and total periods, it increased only at 3% CRP (p < 0.05). The FCR decreased at 1% in the 1^st (p < 0.04) and, at 3% in the 2^nd (p < 0.01) and total periods (p < 0.05). The percentage of DW increased at 3% CRP (p < 0.05). The treatments increased the percentage of BW (p < 0.059) and, percentage of JL (p < 0.079) as well. The villus width and, crypt depth (CD) at 1% and 3% CRP and, villus surface at 3% reduced. The 3% CRP increased the villus length (VL) and villi number (p < 0.05) and, VL/CD (p < 0.01) and, villus surface area (p < 0.02). The percentage of leaf-like villi decreased in CRP treatments (p < 0.05). The number of goblet cells increased in CRP treatments (p < 0.01). In conclusion, chicory root powder can improve growth performance in broilers by enhancing food digestion and absorption through modification of jejunum histomorphometry.