Various ratios of pectin to cellulose affect intestinal morphology, DNA quantitation, and performance of broiler chickens

Abstract This study investigated the effect of various ratios of pectin to cellulose on intestinal morphology, DNA quantitation, and broiler chicken performance. Four hundred 1-day-old chickens were randomly divided into 4 experimental diets and 4 replications with 25 chickens each. Experimental diets consisted of a control (treatment 1) or diets containing different pectin:cellulose ratios: 2:1 (treatment 2), 1.5:1.5 (treatment 3), and 1:2 (treatment 4). Growth performance parameters were assayed on days 14, 21, and 42. Treatment 2 led to an increase in DNA content at day 14 (P  In this study, we show that different ratios of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) can differentially affect the intestinal condition and performance. The effects of NSPs are governed by their solubility and fermentative ability. Indeed, the birds counteracted the effects of NSPs with changes in the intestinal length and weight, and with ageing. An increased ratio of cellulose to pectin partially hindered and moderated some of the effects of pectin.