Histology of the small intestine of broiler chicks

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the histology and scanning electron microscopy of the small intestine of the broiler. Samples were taken from different regions of the small intestine of twenty broiler chicks (Ross308) at 42 days of age. The histological observations in the present study revealed that the mucosal layer of the small intestine of the broiler chicks had neither discernible muscularis mucosae nor tunica submucosa. Thus, the arrangement remained a distinctive feature and the intestinal layers were identified, from inside out, as tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa. Moreover, the histological and scanning electron microscopic findings in this study showed branched villi which were mainly located in the duodenum and rarely in the jejunum and ileum. The tunica muscularis in all parts of the small intestine presented three smooth muscle layers; inner longitudinal, middle circular, and outer longitudinal layers. The middle circular layer was broad and most often appeared separated by small amount of connective tissue into vast outer part and a tiny inner or accessory segment. It is concluded that the wall of the small intestine of broiler chicks had remarkable histological structure, particularly the mucosa, which suggested to improve nutrient absorption capability.