Garlic Supplement Improves Intestinal Mucosa Morphology in Broiler Chickens with Developmental Pulmonary Hypertension

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary garlic on the growth performance, intestinal mucosa morphology, and pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chickens with pulmonary hypertension induced by 3, 5, 3′-l triiodothyronine. Chicks were reared for 42 days and treated with triiodothyronine (1.5 mg/kg diet) and 0 (control), 0.2, 0.6 or 1% garlic powder. Intestinal segments (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) were dissected to assess villus variables. The proportion of chickens with RV/TV ≥ 0.29 was lower in all garlic treatments than control (P < 0.05). Body weight of chickens fed 0.2 and 0.6% garlic increased compared to control (P < 0.05). The duodenal and jejunal villus length, width (at 42 days), and surface area (at 28 and 42 days) were significantly higher in most garlic-fed groups than control (P < 0.05). Ileal villus length, surface area (in 0.6% garlic group), and width (in 0.6 and 1% garlic groups) also increased in chickens fed garlic supplement at 42 days compared to control (P < 0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of garlic (especially concentrations of 0.6 and 1%) in broiler chickens with developmental pulmonary hypertension could modulate pulmonary hypertensive response and improve intestinal mucosa morphology.