Histomorphometry of the gastrointestinal tract of the broiler

Background: The digestive system of birds is crucial for providing their bodies with the nutrition they require for upkeep, development, and reproduction. The study was conducted to investigate the histological variation of the mucosa of the digestive tract and the distribution pattern of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in broiler and cock. Methods: A total of 20 (6-7 weeks old) broiler and cock were divided into two equal groups (n=10). After cervical subluxation, different segments of gastrointestinal tract were collected and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. Results: The histomorphological study revealed that the proventriculus lamina epithelium was higher in broiler, whereas the esophageal lamina epithelium and tunica mucosa were thicker in cock. The cock had the highest level of proventriculus’s mucosal thickness, villi height and width of jejunum and ileum and small intestine crypt depth. The lymphocyte population in the upper part of the proventriculus and Meckel's diverticulum were highest in the broiler. The highest length, breadth of lymphatic nodules, and crypt depth of Meckel's diverticulum were found in cock. The mucosal thickness and depth of the broiler's caecum and cecal tonsil crypts were the highest. The lymphocyte population of the cecal tonsil and thickness of tunica mucosa, and depth of the crypts of Lieberkuhn’s of colo-rectum were highest in broiler than cock. The lamina propria, lamina epithelium, core of the esophageal villi, the upper part of proventriculus, from duodenum to ileum, Meckel's diverticulum, caecum, cecal tonsil and colo-rectum of the broiler and cock all had high lymphocyte population frequencies. Conclusion: The study's results indicate significant histological variations in the gastrointestinal tracts and GALT between broiler and cock, potentially impacting their general well-being and productivity.