Influence of dietary fibre and betaine on mucus production and digesta and plasma osmolality of broiler chicks from hatch to 14 days of age

Comparing effects of natural betaine and betaine hydrochloride on gut physiology in broiler chickens

Betaine is a well-known component of poultry diets with various effects on nutritional physiology. For example, increased water retention due to the osmolytic effect of betaine increases the volume of the cell, thereby accelerating the anabolic activity, integrity of cell membrane, and overall performance of the bird. Betaine is a multifunctional component (trimethyl derivative) acting as the most efficient methyl group donor and as an organic osmolyte, which can directly influence the gastrointestinal tract integrity, functionality, and health. So far, nothing is known about the effect of betaine on the intestinal barrier in chickens. In addition, little is known about comparing natural betaine with its synthetic form. Therefore, an animal study was conducted to ascertain the effects of betaine supplementation (natural and synthetic) on performance and intestinal physiological responses of broilers. One hundred and five 1-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 3 groups with 35 birds each: control, natural betaine (1 kg active natural (n)-betaine/ton of feed) and synthetic (syn)-betaine‐HCL (1 kg active betaine /ton of feed). Histological assessment showed lower jejunal crypt depth and villi height/crypt depth ratio in syn-betaine-HCL group compared with natural n-betaine fed birds. Furthermore, it was found that syn-betaine-HCL negatively affects the integrity of the intestine by increasing the intestinal paracellular permeability in both jejunum and cecum as evidenced by a higher mannitol flux. Additionally, syn-betaine-HCl significantly upregulated the IFN-γ mRNA expression at certain time points, which could promote intestinal permeability, as it plays an important role in intestinal barrier dysfunction. Body weight (BW) and body weight gain (BWG) did not differ (P > 0.05) between the control birds and birds supplemented with syn-betaine‐HCL. However, the BW and BWG were significantly (P < 0.05) improved by the dietary inclusion of n-betaine compared with other treatments. Altogether, the dietary inclusion of n-betaine had a positive effect on performance and did not negatively affect gut paracellular permeability. Furthermore, our results show that syn-betaine-HCl induces changes in the intestine, indicating an alteration of the intestinal histology and permeability. Thus, natural or synthetic betaine has different effects, which needs to be considered when using them as a feed supplement.

Evaluation of Waste Mushroom Compost as a Feed Supplement and Its Effects on the Fat Metabolism and Antioxidant Capacity of Broilers

Simple Summary

Mushroom waste compost is the main byproduct when cultivating mushrooms. Due to its high mycelium content, mushroom waste compost may improve animal health by increasing antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that supplementing animal diets with fiber could improve body composition and health. The results showed that supplementation with mushroom waste compost accelerates adipolysis and enhances the antioxidant capacity of broilers. Among all treatment groups, broilers given dietary supplementation with 0.5% mushroom waste compost showed improved feed conversion rate and the highest adipose metabolism.

Abstract

Pennisetum purpureum Schum No. 2 waste mushroom compost (PWMC) is the main byproduct when cultivating Pleurotus eryngii. Due to the high mycelium levels in PWMC, it may have potential as a feed supplement for broilers. This study investigated the effects of PWMC supplementation on antioxidant capacity and adipose metabolism in broilers. In the study, 240 broilers were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups: basal diet (control), 0.5%, 1%, or 2% PWMC supplementation. Each treatment group had 60 broilers, divided into three replicates. The results showed that supplementation with 0.5% PWMC decreased the feed conversion rate (FCR) from 1.36 to 1.28, compared to the control. Supplementation with 0.5% or 2% PWMC decreased glucose and triglyceride levels, compared to the control (p < 0.0001), the concentrations of adiponectin and oxytocin increased from 5948 to 5709, 11820, and 7938 ng/ mL; and 259 to 447, 873, and 963 pg/ mL, respectively. Toll-like receptor 4 was slightly increased in the 0.5% and 1% PWMC groups. Both interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) were significantly decreased, by about three to five times for IFN-γ (p < 0.0001) and 1.1 to 1.6 times for IL-1ß (p = 0.0002). All antioxidant-related mRNA, including nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and superoxidase dismutase-1 (SOD-1), increased significantly following PWMC supplementation. Both claudin-1 and zonula occludens 1 increased, especially in the 2% PWMC group. Excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3) significantly increased by about 5, 12, and 11 times in the 0.5%, 1%, and 2% PWMC groups. All adipolysis-related mRNA were induced in the PWMC treatment groups, further enhancing adipolysis. Overall, 0.5% PWMC supplementation was recommended due to its improving FCR, similar antioxidant capacity, and upregulated adipolysis.

Effect of Supplementation with Trimethylglycine (Betaine) and/or Vitamins on Semen Quality, Fertility, Antioxidant Status, DNA Repair and Welfare of Roosters Exposed to Chronic Heat Stress

In this study, we investigated the influence of betaine (Bet, 1000 mg/kg), with or without vitamin C (VC, 200 mg/kg ascorbic acid) and/or vitamin E (VE, 150 mg/kg α-tocopherol acetate) on semen quality, seminal and blood plasma constituents, antioxidants' status, DNA repair, and the welfare of chronic heat stress (CHS)-exposed roosters. A total of 54 roosters were divided into six groups of nine replicates. One group was kept under thermoneutral conditions, whereas the other five were kept under CHS. One of the five groups served as an unsupplemented CHS group, and was fed with a basal diet. The other four CHS groups were supplemented with Bet, Bet + VC, Bet + VE, and Bet + VC + VE, respectively. Our data indicate that supplementation with Bet, Bet + VC, Bet + VE, and Bet + VC + VE, resulted in complete recovery of the CHS effect on sperm concentration and livability, semen pH, and fertility compared to the thermoneutral group. Seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased with Bet, with or without vitamins, compared to the thermoneutral and CHS groups. Urea and blood plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) were totally recovered with Bet, with or without vitamin treatments. Both the jejunum and ileum DNA were partially recovered following Bet, with or without vitamin supplementation. In conclusion, Bet, at 1000 mg/kg feed, may be a useful agent for increasing semen quality, fertility, welfare, and to improve the breeding strategy of breeder males in hot climates.