Evaluation of effects of Thymus vulgaris extract on metabolism and gut mucus in chicks
2012
Čapkovičová, A., University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice | Maková, Z. | Piešová, E. | Faix, Š. | Alves, A. | Faixová, Z.
This study was to observe the effects of the essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. on the performance of chicks; their plasma biochemical parameters; the thickness of the and the quantity of neutral and acid mucins in the small intestine. One-day-old chicks of the Isa Brown breed were divided into three groups (n = 9) and fed 11 weeks as follows: Control 1 basal diet (BD) without sunflower oil (SO); Control 2 — BD+ S O (1 %); and Experimental — BD+ S O + thyme extract (0.05 %). The determination of the total body and internal organ weights (liver, spleen, pancreas, and gizzard) was without significant changes. The biochemistry of the plasma revealed an increase of total proteins, phosphorus and ALP(P less than 0.05) and a decrease of calcium and AST in the experimental group (P less than 0.05) compared to Control 1, as well as an increase of total protein and AST (P less than 0.05) and a decrease of phosphorus, calcium and ALP (P less than 0.05) in the experimental group compared to Control 2. Colorimetric examination of the mucus adherent layer thickness in the small intestine showed no differences. The neutral mucins,determined via PAS staining of goblet cells in the intestinal mucosa,were decreased in the jejunum (P less than 0.001) and caecum (P less than 0.05) of the experimental group compared to Control 1. The quantity of acid mucins, observed via alcian blue goblet cells staining, was increased in the duodenum of the experimental group (P less than 0.001) when compared to both controls and a decreased in the jejunum (P less than 0.05)compared to Control 2. Because acid mucins play a role in the local defence against pathogens, a significant increase of this type of mucins in the duodenum might be a beneficial effect of dietary thyme on the health of the chicks.
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