{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,11]],"date-time":"2026-10-11T17:36:34Z","timestamp":1791740194382,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":60,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,6]],"date-time":"2024-03-06T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1709683200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Arona Company representative of Adisseo in Iran","award":["Contract No: D.102.831"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["Contract No: D.102.831"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>This study aimed to investigate the interactions between corn particle size (PS) and conditioning temperature (CT) on the performance, carcass traits, intestinal morphology, and immune responses in broilers fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet. A total of 360 one-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into six dietary treatments in a 2 \u00d7 3 factorial arrangement, consisting of two corn PS (finely ground with geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 357 \u00b5m (PSF) vs. coarsely ground corn with GMD of 737 \u00b5m (PSC), and three CT [unconditioned (CTU), conditioned at 75 \u00b0C (CT75) and 90 \u00b0C (CT90)]. Birds were accommodated in 30 pens with five replicates and 12 chicks per each pen. There was no interaction between corn PS and CT on the growth performance and immune response of broilers at any growth phases. However, during the starter (0\u201310 days) period, the average daily weight gain (ADWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of PSF-fed birds were significantly improved compared to those fed PSC (p &lt; 0.05). During the starter (0\u201310 days) and grower (11\u201324 days) periods, increasing the conditioning temperature of corn increased the ADWG, while in the starter phase only the CT75 caused a lower FCR (p &lt; 0.05). Broilers fed PSF corn showed the lowest FCR during the finisher (25\u201342 days) period compared to those fed PSC (p &lt; 0.05). Conditioning corn at 75 \u00b0C reduced FCR during the finisher (25\u201342 days) period compared to the birds fed CTU and CT90 corn (p &lt; 0.05). In whole experimental periods (1\u201342 days), PSF and CT75 treatment increased the ADWG compared to the PSC and CTU (p &lt; 0.05). The CT75 treatment improved primary total anti-sheep red blood cell (SRBCs) titer (IgT) and IgM and secondary IgT and IgG responses compared to the other experimental groups (CTU and CT90) (p &lt; 0.05). No significant PS \u00d7 CT interaction was found on the Newcastle disease (ND) antibody titer of broiler chickens (p &gt; 0.05). Feeding CT75 corn reduced duodenum and jejunum relative lengths compared to the birds fed diets containing CTU corn. Significant PS \u00d7 CT interactions (p &lt; 0.05) were observed for villus height, villus height to crypt depth, crypt depth, muscle thickness, and absorption surface area of the jejunum. The highest carcass yield was observed in the PSF-CT75 group (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, the use of finely ground corn (PSF) conditioned at 75 \u00b0C (CT75) was beneficial to growth performance, development of the digestive tract, jejunum histomorphometry and the immune responses of broilers.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani14050818","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,7]],"date-time":"2024-03-07T11:33:06Z","timestamp":1709811186000},"page":"818","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The Interactive Impacts of Corn Particle Size and Conditioning Temperature on Performance, Carcass Traits, and Intestinal Morphology of Broiler Chickens"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1484-1981","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Asadollah","family":"Ghasemi-Aghgonbad","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Majid","family":"Olyayee","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2273-9995","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hossein","family":"Janmohammadi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5739-8943","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mohammad Reza","family":"Abdollahi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Monogastric Research Centre, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3950-8963","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ruhollah","family":"Kianfar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Animal Science, University of Tabriz, Tabriz 5166616471, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,6]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"293","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2004.12.017","article-title":"Factors that affect the nutritional value of maize for broilers","volume":"119","author":"Cowieson","year":"2005","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_2","first-page":"41","article-title":"Technology of animal feed processing (fermentation and silage) in bilah hulu village, labuhan batu regency","volume":"1","author":"Putra","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Technol. Transf."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"146","DOI":"10.1111\/jpn.13019","article-title":"Wheat particle size, insoluble fibre sources and whole wheat feeding influence gizzard musculature and nutrient utilisation to different extents in broiler chickens","volume":"103","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.3382\/ps\/peu015","article-title":"Effect of dietary coarsely ground corn on broiler live performance, gastrointestinal tract development, apparent ileal digestibility of energy and nitrogen, and digesta particle size distribution and retention time","volume":"94","author":"Xu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"416","DOI":"10.1080\/00071660120103693","article-title":"Effect of feeding whole cereals on performance, starch digestibility and duodenal particle size distribution in broiler chickens","volume":"43","author":"Hetland","year":"2002","journal-title":"Br. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.1017\/S0043933907001560","article-title":"Feed particle size: Implications on the digestion and performance of poultry","volume":"63","author":"Amerah","year":"2007","journal-title":"World\u2019s Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.0710001","article-title":"Recent studies on regulation of gastric motility in turkeys","volume":"71","author":"Duke","year":"1992","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1184","DOI":"10.1093\/ps\/78.8.1184","article-title":"Effect of pelleting temperature on the recovery and efficacy of a xylanase enzyme in wheat-based diets","volume":"78","author":"Silversides","year":"1999","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"AOAC International (2006). Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, AOAC International. [18th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Baker, S., and Herrman, T. (2002). MF-2051 Feed Manufacturing, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University."},{"key":"ref_11","unstructured":"Aviagen (2022, May 01). Ross 308 Broiler. Available online: https:\/\/www.winmixsoft.com\/files\/info\/Ross-308-Broiler-PO-2018-EN.pdf."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ross 308 (2019). Ross 308 Broiler: Nutrition Specification, 2019, Ross Breeders Ltd.","DOI":"10.1515\/9781474465809-026"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"888","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.2011-01661","article-title":"Effect of metabolic efficiency and intestinal morphology on variability in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enrichment of eggs","volume":"91","author":"Nain","year":"2012","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2235","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.2012-02182","article-title":"Effect of supplementation of prebiotic mannan-oligosaccharides and probiotic mixture on growth performance of broilers subjected to chronic heat stress","volume":"91","author":"Sohail","year":"2012","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1147","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.0661147","article-title":"Enhanced immune responses in broiler chicks fed methionine-supplemented diets","volume":"66","author":"Tsiagbe","year":"1987","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jviromet.2005.10.001","article-title":"Measurement of antibodies to avian influenza virus A (H7N7) in humans by hemagglutination inhibition test","volume":"132","author":"Meijer","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Virol. Methods"},{"key":"ref_17","unstructured":"SAS Institute (2008). SAS\u00ae Qualification Tools User\u2019s Guid, SAS Institute Inc.. Version 9.2."},{"key":"ref_18","unstructured":"Goodband, R.D., Tokach, M.D., and Nelssen, J.L. (2002). MF-2050 Feed Manufacturing, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Koch, K. (1996). MF-2048 Feed Manufacturing, Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University."},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"771","article-title":"Effect of particle size on performance: 3","volume":"74","author":"Nir","year":"1995","journal-title":"Grinding pelleting interactions. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"4342","article-title":"Effects of different diet particle size combinations on growth performance of broilers in early and later periods","volume":"29","author":"Ge","year":"2017","journal-title":"Chin. J. Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"45","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.0730045","article-title":"Effect of particle size on performance.: 1. Corn","volume":"73","author":"Nir","year":"1994","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"830","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2012-00553","article-title":"Effects of particle size and feed form on broiler performance","volume":"21","author":"Chewning","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2010.08.017","article-title":"Influence of conditioning temperature on performance, apparent metabolisable energy, ileal digestibility of starch and nitrogen and the quality of pellets, in broiler starters fed maize-and sorghum-based diets","volume":"162","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"378","DOI":"10.1071\/AN12363","article-title":"Steam-pelleting temperatures, grain variety, feed form and protease supplementation of mediumly ground, sorghum-based broiler diets: Influences on growth performance, relative gizzard weights, nutrient utilisation, starch and nitrogen digestibility","volume":"53","author":"Selle","year":"2013","journal-title":"Anim. Prod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"963","DOI":"10.3382\/japr\/pfz056","article-title":"Effect of conditioning temperature on pellet quality, diet digestibility, and broiler performance","volume":"28","author":"Netto","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"648","DOI":"10.1080\/00071668.2010.522557","article-title":"Influence of conditioning temperature on the performance, nutrient utilisation and digestive tract development of broilers fed on maize-and wheat-based diets","volume":"51","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2010","journal-title":"Br. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"208","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2011.06.008","article-title":"Effects of steam conditioning at low and high temperature, expander conditioning and extruder processing prior to pelleting on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in nursery pigs and broiler chickens","volume":"169","author":"Lundblad","year":"2011","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"444","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2013-00930","article-title":"Effects of varying conditioning temperature and mixer-added fat on feed manufacturing efficiency, 28-to 42-day broiler performance, early skeletal effect, and true amino acid digestibility","volume":"23","author":"Loar","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"1","article-title":"High pelleting temperatures reduce broiler performance","volume":"20","author":"Creswell","year":"2006","journal-title":"Proc. Aust. Poult. Sci. Symp."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102205","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psj.2022.102205","article-title":"Effects of corn particle size on growth performance, gastrointestinal development, carcass indices and intestinal microbiota of broilers","volume":"101","author":"Yan","year":"2022","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/2055-0391-56-20","article-title":"Effects of feed form and feed particle size with dietary L-threonine supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens","volume":"56","author":"Rezaeipour","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3188","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psj.2020.01.027","article-title":"Thermal processing of corn and physical form of broiler diets","volume":"99","author":"Massuquetto","year":"2020","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aninu.2015.06.001","article-title":"Effects of feed form and feed particle size on growth performance, carcass characteristics and digestive tract development of broilers","volume":"1","author":"Lv","year":"2015","journal-title":"Anim. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"491","article-title":"Effect of feed particle size on slaughter parameters in broiler chicken","volume":"3","author":"Unni","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Sci. Res."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100235","DOI":"10.1016\/j.japr.2022.100235","article-title":"Effect of conditioning temperature on pellet quality, performance, nutrient digestibility, and processing yield of broilers","volume":"31","author":"Rueda","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2007-00081","article-title":"The effect of steam-conditioning practices on pellet quality and growing broiler nutritional value","volume":"17","author":"Cutlip","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2019.00019","article-title":"Role of feed processing on gut health and function in pigs and poultry: Conundrum of optimal particle size and hydrothermal regimens","volume":"6","author":"Kiarie","year":"2019","journal-title":"Front. Vet. Sci."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"123","DOI":"10.1093\/japr\/15.1.123","article-title":"Overview of the immune dynamics of the digestive system","volume":"15","author":"Korver","year":"2006","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_40","unstructured":"Barrow, P.A. (1992). Probiotics: The Scientific Basis, Springer Science+Business Media, B.V."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1017\/S0043933909000087","article-title":"Dietary modulation of gut microflora in broiler chickens: A review of the role of six kinds of alternatives to in-feed antibiotics","volume":"65","author":"Yang","year":"2009","journal-title":"World\u2019s Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.1093\/japr\/14.1.38","article-title":"Role of insoluble fiber on gizzard activity in layers","volume":"14","author":"Hetland","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poult. Res."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9","DOI":"10.1080\/00071660802538632","article-title":"Managing gut health through nutrition","volume":"50","author":"Choct","year":"2009","journal-title":"Br. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"207","DOI":"10.1017\/S0043933911000249","article-title":"The gizzard: Function, influence of diet structure and effects on nutrient availability","volume":"67","author":"Svihus","year":"2011","journal-title":"World\u2019s Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2023","DOI":"10.1071\/AN19254","article-title":"Maximising the benefits of pelleting diets for modern broilers","volume":"59","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Anim. Prod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"662","DOI":"10.1080\/0007166021000025037","article-title":"Passage rate through the anterior digestive tract of broiler chickens fed on diets with ground and whole wheat","volume":"43","author":"Svihus","year":"2002","journal-title":"Br. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_47","unstructured":"Denbow, D.M. (2015). Sturkie\u2019s Avian Physiology, Academic Press."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"289","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.0660289","article-title":"Rate of passage of corn-canola meal and corn-soybean meal diets through the gastrointestinal tract of broiler and white leghorn chickens","volume":"66","author":"Shires","year":"1987","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1433","DOI":"10.3382\/ps.0731433","article-title":"Rate of passage of barley diets with chromium oxide: Influence of age and poultry strain and effect of \u03b2-glucanase supplementation","volume":"73","author":"Almirall","year":"1994","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"354","DOI":"10.1080\/00071660120055331","article-title":"Effect of oat hulls on performance, gut capacity and feed passage time in broiler chickens","volume":"42","author":"Hetland","year":"2001","journal-title":"Br. Poult. Sci."},{"key":"ref_51","first-page":"487","article-title":"Influence of supplemental fat on diet metabolisable energy and ingest a transit time in laying hens","volume":"28","author":"Sell","year":"1983","journal-title":"Nutr. Rep. Int."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"415","DOI":"10.1079\/WPS200325","article-title":"Role of insoluble non-starch polysaccharides in poultry nutrition","volume":"60","author":"Hetland","year":"2004","journal-title":"World\u2019s Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"260","DOI":"10.1080\/09712119.2012.672307","article-title":"Effect of feed processing and enzyme supplementation of wheat-based diets on performance of broiler chicks","volume":"40","author":"Ghobadi","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Appl. Anim. Res."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"88","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2011.03.014","article-title":"Influence of feed form and conditioning temperature on performance, apparent metabolisable energy and ileal digestibility of starch and nitrogen in broiler starters fed wheat-based diet","volume":"168","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2011","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2013.10.015","article-title":"Influence of grain type and feed form on performance, apparent metabolisable energy and ileal digestibility of nitrogen, starch, fat, calcium and phosphorus in broiler starters","volume":"186","author":"Abdollahi","year":"2013","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.5713\/ajas.2009.80352","article-title":"Effects of feed particle size and feed form on growth performance, nutrient metabolizability and intestinal morphology in broiler chickens","volume":"22","author":"Zang","year":"2009","journal-title":"Asian-Australas J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anifeedsci.2016.02.012","article-title":"Influence of feed form and particle size on performance, nutrient utilisation, and gastrointestinal tract development and morphometry in broiler starters fed maize-based diets","volume":"215","author":"Naderinejad","year":"2016","journal-title":"Anim. Feed Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"306","DOI":"10.3382\/japr.2014-00937","article-title":"Function of the digestive system","volume":"23","author":"Svihus","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Appl. Poul. Res."},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1017\/S0043933913000287","article-title":"Function and nutritional roles of the avian caeca: A review","volume":"69","author":"Svihus","year":"2013","journal-title":"World\u2019s Poult. Sci. J."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101166","DOI":"10.1016\/j.psj.2021.101166","article-title":"High steam-conditioning temperature during the pelleting process impairs growth performance and nutrient utilization in broiler starters fed barley-based diets, regardless of carbohydrase supplementation","volume":"100","author":"Perera","year":"2021","journal-title":"Poult. Sci."}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/14\/5\/818\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T14:10:02Z","timestamp":1760105402000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/14\/5\/818"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,6]]},"references-count":60,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,3]]}},"alternative-id":["ani14050818"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani14050818","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,3,6]]}}}