Effects of Sodium Butyrate on Mucosal Immunity-associated Cells in Small Intestine of Broiler

Thirty-two healthy one-day-old AA broilers were divided into 4 groups in this study.The groups were as follows: group A with basal diet,group B with basal diet and antibiotic(500 mg/kg sodium butyrate),group C with basal diet,100 mg/kg sodium butyrate and 200 mg/kg bacillus,and group D with basal diet,100 mg/kg sodium butyrate and 500 mg/kg enzyme preparation.After 7 weeks,the distribution and structure of mast cell,intraepithelial lymphocyte and goblet cells in the small intestine of AA broilers were observed and the length of its mucosal was measured by light microscope.The results showed that:(1) there were no differences in the morphological change of mast cell,intraepithelial lymphocyte and goblet cells of small intestine among A,B,C and D groups.And most mast cells existed around the enteraden and the lamina propria of intestinal villi;(2) the number of mast cell,intraepithelial lymphocyte and goblet cells in experimental groups was larger than that of control group(P0.05);(3) the number of mast cell and intraepithelial lymphocyte in the small intestine gradually decreased from cranial to caudal in all groups,which meant the number of mast cell of duodenal,jejunum and ileum was decreased successively,but goblet cells were increased.In conclusion,three feed additives could be used to increase the number of mast cell,intraepithelial lymphocyte and goblet cells and improve the mucosal immunity of small intestine in AA broiler.And the result by adding sodium butyrate to the basal diets with bacillus or enzyme preparation was better than using sodium butyrate only.