The effect of Aspergillus niger as a dietary supplement on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment

Research (Published online: 23-10-2020)

24. The effect of Aspergillus niger as a dietary supplement on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment

Hao Lin, Baoan Ding, Lingyun Chen, Zhenming Zhang, Hailian He, Jingge Wang, Xiezhong Wang, Licheng Zhang, Xiaoming Ni and Baldassare Fronte

Veterinary World, 13(10): 2209-2215

Hao Lin: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Baoan Ding: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Lingyun Chen: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Zhenming Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Hailian He: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Jingge Wang: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Xiezhong Wang: Qinghai Animal Disease Control Center, Xining 810001, China.

Licheng Zhang: Qinghai Animal Disease Control Center, Xining 810001, China.

Xiaoming Ni: State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China.

Baldassare Fronte: Department of Science Veterinary, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.2209-2215

Share this article on [Facebook] [LinkedIn]

Article history: Received: 24-07-2020, Accepted: 18-09-2020, Published online: 23-10-2020

Corresponding author: Baoan Ding

E-mail: dingbaoan1967@aliyun.com

Citation: Lin H, Ding B, Chen L, Zhang Z, He H, Wang J, Wang X, Zhang L, Ni X, Fronte B (2020) The effect of Aspergillus niger as a dietary supplement on blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment, Veterinary World, 13(10): 2209-2215.

Abstract

Aim: The effects of the inclusion of Aspergillus niger in the diet of Haidong chicks reared in the Qing-Zang high altitude area (China) under hypoxic conditions.

Materials and Methods: A total of 720 Haidong chicks were randomly divided into six groups and fed diets supplemented with 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, 1.0%, 1.25%, and 1.5% of A. niger to determine blood parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microflora in Haidong chicks reared in a high altitude environment.

Results: Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration increased in the groups fed diets containing A. niger. The administration of A. niger in 1.0% and 1.25% significantly decreased the concentration of Escherichia coli in the cecum, while the concentration of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the cecum and ileum was increased in the treated groups. When compared to the control groups, villi height, crypt depth, and goblet cell density in the intestine was raised, in general, in the groups treated with A. niger.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that 1.25% A. niger as dietary supplement may improve the resistance to ascites among birds reared under hypoxic conditions.

Keywords: Aspergillus niger, gut microflora, Haidong chicks, intestinal morphology, probiotic.