摘要：The effects of replacement of maize grain with ancient wheat by-products on intestinal morphometry and enzymatic activity in laying hens was studied. Eighty hens were divided into two groups (40 each, 8 replicates, 5 hens/replicate) fed two isoproteic and isoenergetic diets. In the treated group, part of the maize was replaced by a mix of ancient grains (AGs) middling, in a 50:50 ratio of <i>Triticum aestivum</i> L. var. spelta (spelt) and <i>Triticum durum dicoccum</i> L. (emmer wheat). The AG diet affected the weight of all the large intestine tracts, decreasing the weight of caeca (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and increasing those of colon (<i>p</i> < 0.01), rectum and cloaca (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Villus height in the AG group was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) than the control for the duodenum and jejunum, while for the ileum, the control group showed the highest values (<i>p</i> < 0.01). The submucosa thickness was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum, while the jejunum for the AG group showed the highest (<i>p</i> < 0.05) submucosa thickness. The crypts depth was higher (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the control group for the duodenum and ileum. Enzyme activity was enhanced by AGs (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the duodenum. Regarding the jejunum, sucrase-isomaltase and alkaline phosphatase had higher activity (<i>p</i> < 0.05 and <i>p</i> < 0.01, respectively) in the AG group. In the ileum, sucrase-isomaltase showed higher activity (<i>p</i> < 0.01) in the control group, while alkaline phosphatase showed the highest values (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in the AG group. Overall, results suggested that the dietary inclusion of AGs exerted positive effects in hens, showing an improved intestinal function.
