ORIGINAL PAPER
Effect of zeolite and halloysite addition on the microstructure
of breast muscle and small intestine in broiler chickens
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1
Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology (PBS), Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology,
Department of Animal Biotechnology and Genetics, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
2
Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology (PBS), Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology,
Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Publication date: 2026-01-28
Corresponding author
P. Reszka
Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology (PBS), Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology,
Department of Animal Biotechnology and Genetics, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of aluminosilicates
in feed and litter on the microstructure of broiler breast muscle and small
intestine. The research was carried out on 3 farms with 500 broilers divided into
five groups per farm. Groups II–V received halloysite and zeolite additives in
feed and litter, while Group I served as control. In the duodenum, aluminosilicate
supplementation improved villus height on Farms 1 and 3, increased surface
area on Farm 3, and enhanced crypt depth and muscularis thickness on Farm
2 (Groups II and III). Jejunal morphology showed farm-specific variations: Farm
1 animals developed significant differences in villus width (Group I vs. III, IV, V),
absorptive surface (Groups I, II vs. IV, V), and muscularis thickness (Group I vs.
III, V). Farm 2 birds demonstrated improved crypt depth and muscularis thickness
in Group IV, while Farm 3 broilers showed proportion-dependent effects on villus
height, width and surface area, and crypt depth. Ileal improvements were limited
to Farm 2 broilers, showing increased villus width and absorptive surface. Muscle
microstructure alterations were observed exclusively on Farm 3, with changes
in capillary density per muscle fiber and intramuscular fat distribution. Overall,
the addition of aluminosilicates had the most pronounced effect on broilers from
Farm 3, influencing both intestinal morphology and muscle microstructure.
FUNDING
This research was conducted as part of the project
‘Safe Farm – Innovative Products, Processes
and Marketing in the Production of Broiler Chickens’,
implemented in 2020–2022 and co-financed
from the programme ‘European Agricultural Fund
for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural
areas’ administered by The Agency for Restructuring
and Modernisation of Agriculture.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The Authors declare that there is no conflict of
interest.
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