The result on E. coli counts in response to dietary
treatments are shown in Table 4. E. coli counts in the crop
reduced significantly in all the butyrate treated diets and
antibiotic group compared to control (Figure 1). However,
in small intestine and caecum, 0.2% butyrate failed to
produce the same effect. The E. coli counts were
significantly lower in small intestine and caecum in both the antibiotic and butyrate (0.4 or 0.6%) diet compared to either
control or 0.2% butyrate. Though no difference in villus
length was found between control and antibiotic fed group,
crypt depth was reduced in the antibiotic fed group
compared to control (Table 4). The villi length and crypth
depth in duodenum increased significantly in all the
butyrate treated diets irrespective of the levels tested. No
difference on the above parameters could be noticed due to
the concentrations of butyrate (0.2-0.6%) in the diet.