Effects of different levels of dried tomato pomace on small intestinal tract histomorphometrical characteristics of broiler chicks

In order to study the effects of inclusion of dried tomato pomace (DTP) in broilers diets، this experiment was executed. Experiment was conducted with 5 treatments and 6 replicates With 5 bird per each replicate in a completely randomized design with over all 150 male Lohmann day old broilers in a total period of 56 days including 21 days for starter، 21 days for grower and 14 days for finisher periods. Treatments were control (no DTP)، 5، 10، 15 and 20 % of DTP. Three birds of each treatment were randomly selected and slaughtered. Small intestine samples of selected birds were collected in duodenum، jejunum and ileum and were studied on length and width of villi، width of muscular، mucosal and sub mucosal layers. Analysis of morphological data showed that length of villi and width of mucosal and sub mucosal layers in duodenum was significantly (P≤0. 01) decreased، but width of villi in ileum increased (P≤0. 05) with DTP increasing. According to the results of this study، it may conclude that the use of DTP levels up to 10% (crude fiber more than 6% in diet) has a negative effect on intestine morphological characteristics and this may lead to a decrease in nutrients uptake of the birds and their poor performance.