Micromineral source affects intestinal morphology but not feather formation in pigeons

Abstract

During 7 weeks, two groups of eight pigeons received Zn, Cu, Mn and Se either as inorganic salts or organically bound to investigate the effect of micromineral source on two fast processes in avian metabolism: feather regrowth and intestinal renewal. Increased plasma Zn with reduced hepatic Cu in the organically bound minerals group suggests improved Zn bio-availability with a net antagonistic effect on Cu. Micromineral source did not affect feather regrowth, organ weight or intestinal pH, but the increased villus height with similar crypt depth pointed to increased absorptive surface.