Comprehensive Intestinal Histomorphometry Dataset of Probiotic-Supplemented Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica)

Description

This database contains comprehensive intestinal histomorphometric measurements obtained from an experimental study evaluating the effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on intestinal morphology in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). The dataset includes quantitative microscopic parameters associated with gut health and nutrient absorption efficiency, such as villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio, and related morphometric indicators measured in different intestinal segments. Samples were collected under controlled experimental conditions following standardized histological preparation and morphometric analysis procedures. The database was designed to support research in animal nutrition, intestinal physiology, poultry science, microbiota-host interactions, and functional feed additives. In addition, the dataset provides valuable information for comparative avian studies and for evaluating the influence of probiotics on intestinal development, digestive efficiency, and productive performance. This repository may be useful for researchers, veterinarians, animal scientists, and graduate students interested in gut morphology, probiotic supplementation strategies, and the development of sustainable alternatives to conventional growth-promoting additives in poultry production systems.

Steps to reproduce

To reproduce the dataset, an experimental trial should be conducted using growing Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) maintained under controlled environmental and management conditions. Birds should be randomly allocated into dietary treatment groups, including a control diet and diets supplemented with probiotic additives according to the established experimental design. Animals must be fed throughout the experimental period while monitoring general health status, feed intake, and productive performance variables. At the end of the trial, intestinal tissue samples should be collected from selected gastrointestinal segments, including the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Tissue samples must then be fixed in buffered formalin solution and processed using standard histological methodologies involving dehydration, paraffin embedding, microtome sectioning, and histological staining. Histological slides should subsequently be examined under optical microscopy using a calibrated image acquisition system to obtain high-quality intestinal images. Intestinal histomorphometric analyses should then be performed by measuring parameters such as villus height, villus width, crypt depth, and villus-to-crypt ratio through digital image analysis software. All obtained measurements should be systematically recorded in a structured spreadsheet database and classified according to treatment group, intestinal segment, and experimental replicate. The resulting dataset must then be validated and organized for statistical analysis, reproducibility assessment, and repository deposition. Finally, reproduced histomorphometric results should be critically compared with the reference values contained in this database, discussing similarities and differences among intestinal parameters, treatment responses, and experimental variability while considering factors such as probiotic composition, dietary formulation, animal age, environmental conditions, histological processing procedures, and measurement methodologies in the context of poultry intestinal physiology and functional feed additive research.

Institutions

• Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León

  Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza

Categories

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