Effect of grain type on performance, gut permeability and digesta viscosity of broilers during a necrotic enteritis challenge

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a major concern for the poultry industry worldwide as it causes reduced production and increased mortality, resulting in an estimated annual economic loss of US$6 billion (Wade and Keyburn, 2015). It is widely accepted that feed composition strongly influences the gut environment, consequently affecting the prevalence and severity of necrotic enteritis (Branton et al., 1997). Cereal grains such as wheat, barley and rye contain high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) that have a direct negative impact on nutrient utilization. Insoluble NSPs can act as a physical barrier to enzymes. Soluble NSPs increase digesta viscosity, which may affect intestinal barrier function. Compromised barrier function results in translocation of luminal pathogens and a non-specific inflammatory response (Tellez et al., 2014).