A study using 96 broilers was conducted to evaluate the gastrointestinal tract of broilers fed with diets supplemented with different concentrations of microorganisms (EM). The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized designed (CRD) with the following treatments T1-0% EM, T-2-1% EM, T3-2% EM and T4-3% EM. The villus height, crypt depth, and villus number of the duodenum, ileum, and cecum were evaluated using ANOVA and DMRI (p<0.05). At day 28 of trial, villus height in duodenum were comparable while in the ileum, T3, had a significant height at 40.92 µm. Crypt depth in duodenum showed that T₂ and T3 were significantly higher than T1, and T4. T3 has significantly higher crypt depth in ileum and T. has the highest result in cecum. In terms of villus number, significant results were observed in duodenum, ileum and cecum. At day 35, T₂ and T, had significantly longer villus higher than T. (control) in the ileum. Villus number is significantly higher in Ts than T, (control), T₂ significantly lower than 1, and in cecum, T1, T2, and T3 are all significantly higher than control. The crypt depth in T3 and T4 were significantly higher than in T1 and T2 while T4 has the highest value in cecum. Results showed that supplementation of EM from 1% to 3% at day 28 and days 35 have generally positive effect in terms of villus height, villus number, and crypt depth.

Thesis (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)

Includes appendices and bibliographical references.