Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026

In Ovo Feeding of Commercial Broiler Eggs: An Accurate and Reproducible Method to Affect Muscle Development and Growth
Published on: September 20, 2021
Dose effects of iron on growth, antioxidant potential, intestinal morphology, and intestinal barrier in
1Key Laboratory of Animal Science of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, PR China; Key Laboratory of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau Animal Genetic Resource Reservation and Utilization, College of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
Abstract:
This experiment was conducted to investigate the dose effects of iron on growth performance, antioxidant function, small intestinal histology, and intestinal barrier of 63-day-old yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 720 1-day-old male yellow-feathered broilers were randomly divided into 9 treatments, with 8 cages per treatment and 10 birds per cage. The Fe supplementation was 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 320, 640, and 1280 mg/kg, respectively, in the form of FeSO4•7H2O. The results showed that the ADG (P = 0.002) and ADFI (P < 0.001) decreased linearly with increased dietary Fe supplementation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in plasma (P = 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), and jejunum (P < 0.001) were increased linearly as dietary Fe increased. As dietary Fe increased, there was a linear decrease in the villus height and the villus height/crypt depth in the duodenum (P = 0.003; P = 0.001) and jejunum (P = 0.001; P < 0.001). Decreased secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) concentration in jejunal mucosa (P < 0.001) was observed with increased dietary Fe concentration. Lower jejunal sIgA concentrations were observed in birds consuming more than 160 mg/kg of Fe (P < 0.001). A quadratic response was found for jejunal diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P = 0.011) as dietary Fe supplementation was increased. The highest response of DAO in jejunal mucosa was observed for broilers supplemented with 160 mg/kg of Fe. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of ZO-1 (P < 0.001), occludin (P = 0.004), and claudin-1 (P = 0.007) in jejunal mucosa decreased linearly with increased dietary Fe concentration. Data from the study suggests that there is no need to supplement additional Fe to a corn-soybean-based diet for yellow-feathered broilers based on growth performance, antioxidant potential, small intestinal histology, and intestinal barrier. Chronic iron exposure (≥ 160 mg/kg) can damage the intestinal barrier function, and further increase of Fe supplementation can lead to oxidative stress and even cause growth inhibition for yellow-feathered broilers.
Related Concept Videos
Epistasis
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
Bile
Bile is released when dietary fats enter...
Sulfur Assimilation

