Comparison Of Some Features Of The Small Intestine Of Nigerian Local And Exotic (Isa Brown) Breeds Of Chicken

Abstract

The Nigerian local and Isa Brown pullets were used to study the features of the small intestine. The length of the small intestine, the height and depth of the villi and crypts were determined respectively. In most of the age groups studied, the absolute mean lengths of the small intestine of the exotic (Isa brown) breed were significantly greater than that of the local breed (p<0.05). The height of the villi and the depth of the crypts of Lieberkuhn were observed to be significantly greater in the Isa brown (p<0.05). While the villi were finger shaped in the Isa brown, they were observed to be leaf shaped in the Nigerian Local Breed. These findings tend to suggest that the small intestine of the Isa brown breed has a better-developed surface area modification for absorption. Information obtained may be of great value in selections involving Nigerian Chickens.


KEY WORDS: Features, Small intestine, Chicken.


J.Expt. & Clin. Anat. 2(1) 2003: 9-14