Effects of Exogenous Ghrelin on Duodenal Growth and Development of African Ostrich Chicks

Background: The African ostrich is the largest herbivorous bird in world, which has high economic value. However, brooding period of long. During this period, various organs body are not fully developed, resistance low and it easy to get sick, thus affecting growth development. Therefore, great significance enhance digestion absorption capacity chicks improve its speed shortening incubation ostrich, improving survival rate benefits breeding. Methods: Sixteen 40-day-old (male or female) were randomly divided into four groups injected intravenously Metatarsal vein with saline (control) ghrelin (10, 50 100 µg/kg) for 6 days. morphology, gastrin pepsin levels duodenum measured using stereology, HE staining radioimmunoassay. Result: 10, µg/kg administered showed lower duodenal length index than control group (P less 0.05). Villus increased Crypt depth decreased 10 ratio villus crypt each difference was significant Pepsin content slightly greater 0.05) significantly Gastrin