Delayed access to feed affects broiler small intestinal morphology and goblet cell ontogeny

Abstract Broilers are often deprived of feed and water for up to 48 h after hatch. This delayed access to feed (DAF) can inhibit small intestinal development. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of DAF on small intestinal morphology, mRNA abundance of the goblet cell marker Muc2 and absorptive cell marker PepT1 and the distribution of goblet cells in young broilers. Cobb 500 chicks, hatching within a 12 h window, were randomly allocated into three groups: control with no feed delay (ND), 24 h feed delay (DAF24), and 36 h feed delay (DAF36). Morphology, gene expression and in situ hybridization analyses were conducted on the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum at 0, 24, 36, 72, 120 and 168 h after hatch. Statistical analysis was performed using a t-test for ND and DAF24 at 24 h. A two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (P