Morphometry of the small intestine from broilers treated with diets added of containing mannan oligosaccharides and enzymatic complex additives

The effects of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) and enzymatic complex (EC) on the morphometry and absorption surface of the small intestine wall in broilers were studied. Seven hundred and fifty birds were used in a completely randomized design and 2 x 2 + 1 factorial arrangement – two MOS levels (0 and 0.1% from 1 to 21 days and 0.05% from 22 to 42 days of age), two EC levels (0 and 0.05%) and a positive control diet with antibiotics – totaling five treatments with five replicates. Positive control x factorial interaction was significant for the longitudinal muscular thickness and for the absorption surface in the duodenum and ileum, being higher in birds subjected to MOS treatment. MOS x EC interaction was significant for the duodenal mucosa at 21 days and for the jejunum and ileum at 42 days, being lower in birds treated with no additives. The same effect was observed for the duodenal absorption surface at 21 days, and for the ileum at 42 days. MOS inclusion increased (P<0.05), and EC inclusion reduced (P