The effect of raw and roasted soybeans on intestinal health, diet digestibility, and pancreas weight of broilers

SUMMARY Soybeans have high protein and energy content; however, they also contain antinutritional factors that limit inclusion in feeds for nonruminant animals. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of feeding raw (RFFS), deactivated (DFFS), or overheated (OFFS) full-fat soybeans on the intestinal health, diet digestibility, and pancreas weight of broilers. One hundred twenty broilers were fed diets containing 15% DFFS, 10% DFFS + 5% RFFS, 15% RFFS, or 10% DFFS + 5% OFFS; data were submitted to ANOVA and means were compared by Tukey’s test. Broilers fed 15% RFFS presented higher goblet cell counts and sialic acid levels compared with those fed diets containing DFFS and OFFS. Intestinal villi were shorter in birds fed 15% RFFS than those fed 10% DFFS + 5% RFFS. The coefficient of apparent digestibility of nutrients was affected by the dietary treatments. The pancreas of the broilers fed the diets containing RFFS was significantly heavier of those fed DFFS or OFFS. The intestinal integrity, as well as pancreas structure, is impaired by the inclusion of RFFS in broiler diets. Conversely, soybean over-heating hinders nutrient utilization by broilers.