Intestinal Permeability Induction and FITC-d Measurement

In all experiments, intestinal permeability was induced using FR as previously published (12 (link), 13 (link)). Chickens were randomly assigned to each experimental group and had unrestricted access to feed and water from 1 to 10 days of age. Beginning at 10 days, chickens in control FITC-d groups were allowed to continue with ad libitum access to feed, while chickens in FR FITC-d groups were subjected to 24 h of FR. Concentration of FITC-d was given based on group body weight; therefore, groups were weighed the day before FR began. At 11 days of age, chickens in all groups were given an appropriate dose of FITC-d by oral gavage for each experiment. After 1 h, or 2.5 h respectively, chickens were euthanized with CO₂ asphyxiation. Blood samples were collected from the femoral vein to quantify levels of FITC-d.