Avaliação da morfologia intestinal e contagem de células caliciformes em frangos de corte Cobb e Label Rouge recém-eclodidos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal morphometry and the count of goblet cells in the small intestine of birds of different genotypes at one day of age. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory for the Evaluation of Products of Animal Origin - LAPOA, Areia PB. Two hundred eggs with similar average weight were used, from Cobb 500 and Label Rouge breeders, distributed according to a completely randomized design in two treatments (genotypes), four replicates and 20 birds per replicate. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum samples were collected from eight birds of each treatment, respectively, evaluating the villus height, crypt depth, villus/crypt ratio, absorption area and goblet cell count. Without duodenum, villus height was higher in Cobb chicks compared to Label chicks (p<0.0005). The same occurs in the jejunum (p<0.0006) and ileum (p<0.001). In the duodenum, jejunum and ileum segments there was no statistical difference for crypt depth in both strains. The villus/crypt ratio and absorption area were higher for birds of Cobb lineage compared to Label, in all segments obtained. There was a difference only in the amount of goblet cells in the duodenum segment in the Label lineage compared to a Cobb. Birds selected for rapid growth (Cobb) have on the first day of life, an intestinal morphology capable of meeting the higher food consumption, which is typical of these birds, with a larger villous area in relation to the population: crypt and area of absorption. Probably enabling them better to use the food and, consequently, for the higher performance observed previously.