Gastrointestinal morphology, fatty acid profile, and production performance of broiler chickens fed camelina meal or fish oil

Gastrointestinal morphology, fatty acid profile, and production performance of broiler chickens fed camelina meal (CAM) or fish oil were investigated. One hundred and twenty eight 1-day-old Cobb chicks were randomly assigned to one of four treatments. Each treatment was replicated four times with eight chicks (n=8). The experimental diets were: corn soybean meal-based with 3.2% corn oil (control), control + 10% CAM, 10% camelina meal + 3.2% fish oil (CAM + FISH), and 3.2% fish oil (FISH). Villous height (VH) was lowest in the jejunum of FISH and CAM + FISH (p<0.04). Crypt depth (CD) was lowest in the jejunum of Control and CAM (p<0.002). Villous perimeter was higher in control and CAM when compared to CAM + FISH and FISH (p=0.02). The VH: CD followed the order of control > CAM > CAM + FISH = FISH (p<0.0001). No difference was observed in villus width, surface area, and muscularis thickness. Total omega-6 fatty acids were higher in the duodenum of control and CAM than FISH and CAM + FISH diets (p<0.0001). Long chain (> 20-C) omega-3 fatty acids were higher in CAM + FISH and FISH (p<0.0001). No significant differences were detected in the total saturated and total monounsaturated fatty acid content in the duodenum (p>0.05). Weight gain varied significantly and was lowest for CAM + FISH and FISH diets at Day 21 and 42 (p=0.01). There were no differences in feed intake between control and CAM diets. However, inclusion of fish oil reduced feed consumption (p=0.019).