Histopathological Injuries, Ultrastructural Changes, and Depressed TLR Expression in the Small Intestine of Broiler Chickens with Aflatoxin B₁.

ABSTRACT: To explore AFB₁-induced damage of the small intestine, the changes in structure and expression of TLRs (Toll-like Receptors) in the small intestine of chickens were systematically investigated. Ninety healthy neonatal Cobb chickens were randomized into a control group (0 mg/kg AFB₁) and an AFB₁ group (0.6 mg/kg AFB₁). The crypt depth of the small intestine in the AFB₁ group was significantly increased in comparison to the control chickens, while the villus height and area were evidently decreased, as well as the villus:crypt ratio and epithelial thickness. The histopathological observations showed that the villi of the small intestine exposed to AFB₁ were obviously shedding. Based on ultrastructural observation, the absorptive cells of small intestine in the AFB₁ group exhibited fewer micr

SUBMITTER: Wang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5923297 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature