**2.3 Activities in gut**

Anti microbial peptides (AMPs) and Ig A are secreted in the gut by the epithelial cells [12]. Mucus layer protects the epithelium and acts as a first line of defence against infection. Small intestine goblet cells in chicks starts functioning in the late embryonic and post hatch period and can be observed by 17th day of incubation. At that time the produced mucin is of acidic in nature. Whereas, until day 7 after post hatch the same goblet cells produce both acidic and neutral mucin. Later age onwards expansion of goblet cell number towards ileal axis get initiated [19].
