Vitamin E Improves Morphology and Absorptive Surface of Small Intestine in Broiler Chickens Reared at High Altitude

Under high altitude conditions, the effects of vitamin E (α-tocopherol) on growth performance, intestinal morphology (villus size and type), and absorptive surface area of broiler chickens were evaluated. Chickens were fed diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 or 400 IU/kg vitamin E for 42 days. On days 14, 28 and 42, birds were sacrificed and three segments of small intestine were dissected. The feed conversion ratio at day 42 significantly decreased when supplementing the diet with 400 IU/kg vitamin E (P