Diet replacement with whole insect larvae affects intestinal morphology and microbiota of broiler chickens

Insect-based diets are gaining interest as potential ingredients in improving poultry gut health. This study assessed the dietary treatment with whole dried Tenebrio molitor larvae (TM) on broiler chickens’ gut microbiota and morphology. 120 Ross-308 broilers received treated diets with 5% (TM5) and 10% (TM10) replacement ratio in a 35-day trial. Intestinal histomorphometry was assessed, as well as claudin-3 expression pattern and ileal and caecal digesta for microbial community diversity. Null hypothesis was tested with two-way ANOVA considering the intestinal segment and diet as main factors. The TM5 group presented higher villi in the duodenum and ileum compared to the other two ( P