MORFOMETRIA INTESTINAL DE FRANGOS ALIMENTADOS COM DIETAS CONTENDO ENZIMAS EXÓGENAS E HÍBRIDOS DE MILHO SECOS EM DIFERENTES TEMPERATURAS

The objective was to determine the effect of the inclusion of corn hybrids submitted to two drying temperatures, with or without inclusion of exogenous enzymes, on the intestinal morphometry of broilers at 42 days of age. A total of 2,160 broiler chicks were used, in a completely randomized design, in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (three corn hybrids, two drying temperatures, with and without enzyme blend addition), totaling 12 treatments, with nine replicates and 20 birds per experimental unit. There was interaction between the enzyme and drying temperature factors, for crypt depth and for the relation of villi height and crypt depth (V:C). There was interaction between the hybrid factors and drying temperature for the V:C ratio and for the absorption area (AA). Regardless of the hybrid and the drying temperature, birds receiving enzyme-free diets presented higher AA. Drying of the grains at 110ºC negatively influenced the morphometric characteristics and the inclusion of enzymes was not able to improve the absorptive capacity of broilers at 42 days of age.