An assessment of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis effects on hematology, intestinal morphology, and testicular growth in chickens

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) on hematological parameters, intestinal morphometry, and testicular growth in chickens. A total of 288 Cobb chicks, comprising both males and females, were included in the study and fed diets supplemented with Bti at a concentration of 1x108 CFU per gram of feed for 42 days. The experimental design consisted of four treatments, each with 12 replicates of six birds, as follows: T1: males without Bti; T2: females without Bti; T3: males with Bti; and T4: females with Bti. Bti supplementation significantly reduced crypt depth and increased the villus-to-crypt ratio (P<0.05). However, other variables, including hematological parameters and testicular growth, were not significantly affected. In conclusion, while Bti supplementation improved certain aspects of intestinal morphology, its effects on hematological parameters and testicular growth were minimal in this study.