DIFERENTES NÍVEIS DE BETAÍNA NA RAÇÃO DE SUÍNOS SOBRE A ESTRUTURA E ULTRA-ESTRUTURA DA MUCOSA INTESTINAL

We evaluated the effects of increasing levels of betaine (0.0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%) on small intestinestructure. Fifty-two weaned piglets at 23 days of age and average weight of 5.4 kg were used. Westudied four betaine levels and five slaughtered times with three days of interval, considering theweaning day as the initial day (zero day). We evaluated villi height and crypt depth. We observedsignificant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for villi height in duodenum and for crypt depth inileum. Regarding post-weaning days, significant differences (P<0.05) in villi height and crypt depthoccurred in the three intestinal segments analyzed. Keywords: electron micrograph; nutrition; piglet; villous.