These findings are in
accordance with another previous study in gilthead sea bream fed
mannanoligosaccharides [44]. Furthermore, microvillus height is
usually thought to also be directly related to the absorptive surface
area of the intestine. To date, only one study has demonstrated
in vivo that probiotics (Pediococcus acidilactici) may enhance the
enterocyte microvilli in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) [45].
Contrary to these findings, our results demonstrated that both
inulin and B. subtilis decreased the microvillus height in sea bream.
New experimental diets resulted in an imbalance that provoked
similar effects on enterocytes to those produced by the replacement
of fish meal by soybean meal in fish diet