Effect of zeolite and halloysite addition on the microstructure of breast muscle and small intestine in broiler chickens

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.