| In previous study, the effects of synthesized chitosan/zeolite and nanochitosan/zeolite
composites on rainbow trout growth, digestive enzyme activities and some
biochemical parameters were shown. In this study, the effects of experimental diets
based on the previous study on the rainbow trout intestinal histology and stereology
were assessed: control diet (no zeolite and composite), T1 diet (14.28 g/kg zeolite),
T2 diet (0.05 g/kg chitosan included in zeolite), T3 diet (0.5 g/kg chitosan
included in zeolite), T4 diet (5 g/kg chitosan included in zeolite), T5 diet (0.05 g/kg
nanochitosan included in zeolite), T6 diet (0.5 g/kg nanochitosan included in zeolite),
T7 diet (5 g/kg nanochitosan included in zeolite). The experiment was conducted
for 60 days. Results showed that supplemental diets did not have side
effect on the normal structure of intestinal segments but administration of T1 and
T4 diets had slight negative effects on structural maintenance in the middle part of
intestine. Acidic mucin producing goblet cell percentage was also higher in
nanocomposites-administrated groups in comparison with the control group.
Enhanced villus height, density and finally absorption surface area in different parts
of rainbow trout intestine were mainly shown in T7 group. Meanwhile, higher thickness
of tunica mascularis in different regions were noted in treatment groups especially
in T7 group. The number of intraepithelial mononuclear leukocytes in fish
intestine received treatment diets was also higher than control group. In conclusion,
nanochitosan/zeolite composites in comparison with zeolite and chitosan/zeolite
composites were more effective to improve histological structure of rainbow trout
intestine. |