The effect of feed cell wall carbohydrates on the expression of nutrient transport genes and mucin production in the small intestine of broilers

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of cell wall carbohydrates with diet supplemented enzyme on the function and expression of glucose transporter genes (SGLT1 and GLUT2), peptide transporter (PepT1) and mucin production (MUC2) in the small intestine of broilers. In thisstudy, 1100 mixeddayold chickens (male and female), Ross 308 were used based on a completely randomized design with 11 treatments and five replications (20 birds per replication) for 42 days. Experimental diets included control diets, diets containing wheat, barley, wheat bran, rice bran, and hull less barley with and without enzymes, respectively. The results showed that the effect of diets containing wheat, barley and hull less barley withenzyme on the total live weight of broiler chickens at 42 days of age was significantly different (P <0.05).Cell wall carbohydrates of wheat, wheat bran and rice bran in diets increased pancreatic amylase activity (barley 3.02, wheat 5.99 U/mg CP of small intestinal tissue) (P < 0.05). The expression of the studied SGLT1 and MUC2 genes in the experimental diets without enzyme showed a significant increase compared to enzymessupplemented diet (P < 0.05). Also, among the groups of enzyme-supplemented diets, only wheat and rice bran groups were able to increase the expression of SGLT1, MUC2 and GLUT2 genes compared to the control group (P <0.05). In conclusion, supplementation of diets containing cell wall carbohydrates with enzyme affects the expression of glucose transport genes (SGLT1 and GLUT2), peptide transport (PepT1) and mucin production (MUC2) in the small intestine jejunum. This indicates the optimal function of the digestive system of broilers in terms of digestion and absorption of nutrients.