Evaluation of the use of brown macroalgae at different concentrations as a feed additive on intestinal integrity and health in broiler chickens

This study evaluated the effects of using brown seaweeds (Mycotox-algae) as a feed additive on the intestinal health of broiler chickens. Four hundred Cobb 500 chickens were used in four treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4; balanced feed with the addition of 0, 500, 750, 1000 g/t of brown macroalgae in the diet, respectively) in a 42-day experiment. Morphometric variables such as villus, mucosal, and intestinal crypt lengths, as well as the histology of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, were analysed. Treatment T4, with the highest concentration of macroalgae, showed a significant increase in villus and mucosal lengths compared to the other groups. Histological changes, such as epithelial erosion and thickening of the muscularis, were observed, which could have been influenced by the evaluation period and treatment-specific factors that may have modulated intestinal response. In conclusion, macroalgae supplementation in broiler chicken diets, particularly at higher concentrations (T4), improved intestinal morphometry, increasing villus, mucosa, and crypt length, which could improve intestinal health and nutrient absorption. However, signs of tissue damage were identified that could reflect adaptive responses of the intestine, related to adverse environmental conditions and differential susceptibility between each treatment.