Histopathological features of the small intestines and quantification of lactic acid bacteria of broiler chickens supplemented with plectasin

This study was conducted to determine the histopathological features of the small intestines and to quantify lactic acid bacterial population in the ceca of broiler chickens supplemented with varying doses of plectasin, an antimicrobial peptide with gut health- promoting potentials. This research was done by supplementing broiler chickens with varying doses (150 ppm, 300 ppm and 450 ppm) of plectasin alongside negative and positive control groups. Small intestinal samples showed decreased occurrence and severity of histopathological lesions from the duodenum to the ileum. The occurrence of duodenal lesions such villi necrosis, de-epithelization of villi, haemorrhage and inflammation, observed in the duodenum decreased with supplementation of plectasin, which demonstrated its potential in promoting the structural integrity of the small intestines. On the other hand, microbial enumeration resulted in lower total lactic acid bacteria count in treatment groups supplemented with plectasin, demonstrating its inability to enhance beneficial microbiota, but may be suggestive of improved intestinal absorptive capacity based on the concept of competitive exclusion.