Fig. 4

Histopathological changes in the ileal mucosa. a, b Histological features in the Ageratum-liquid groups are shown with hematoxylin and eosin staining at 5 dpi and 12 dpi; (c, d) Histological features in the Ageratum-liquid-Infection groups are shown with hematoxylin and eosin staining at 5 dpi and 12 dpi. Degeneration, dissolution and necrosis of the mucosal epithelial cells are indicated with the black arrow. e Measure of villus length by Image pro-plus, version 6.0 (Ageratum-liquid = 5, Infection-Ageratum-liquid = 5). f Measure of crypt depth by Image pro-plus, version 6.0 (Ageratum-liquid = 5, Infection-Ageratum-liquid = 5). g Spatial distribution of villus-length/crypt-depth of Ageratum-liquid and Infection-Ageratum-liquid groups. * p < 0.05