Effect of anhydrous betaine and hydrochloride betaine on growth performance, meat quality, postmortem glycolysis, and antioxidant capacity of broilers

Inhibition of mtDNA-PRRs pathway-mediated sterile inflammation by astragalus polysaccharide protects against transport stress-induced cardiac injury in chicks

Transport stress (TS) not only weakens poultry performance but also affects animal welfare. Additionally, TS can evoke cardiac damage by triggering sterile inflammation in chicks, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we aimed to elucidate how TS induces sterile inflammation and heart injury and to clarify the antagonism effect of astragalus polysaccharides (APS). We randomly divided 60 chicks (one-day-old female) into 5 groups (n = 12): Control_0h (Con_0h) group (chicks were slaughtered at initiation), Control group (stress-free control), TS group (simulated TS exposure for 8 h), TS plus water (TS+W) group, and TS plus APS (TS+APS) group. Before simulation transport, the chicks of TS+W and TS+APS groups were, respectively, dietary with 100 μL of water or APS (250 μg/mL). H&E staining was employed for cardiac histopathological observation. ELISA assay was used to measure oxidative stress marker levels (GSH, GPX, GST, and MDA). A commercial kit was used to isolate the mitochondrial portion, and qRT-PCR was employed to measure the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) levels. Furthermore, we evaluated the activity of mtDNA-mediated NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, and cGAS-STING inflammatory pathways and the expression of downstream inflammatory factors by Western Blotting or qRT-PCR. Our findings revealed that APS notably relieved TS-induced myocardial histopathological lesions and infiltrations. Likewise, the decrease in proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and IFN-β by APS further supported this result. Meanwhile, TS caused severe oxidative stress in the chick heart, as evidenced by decreased antioxidant enzymes and increased MDA. Importantly, APS prevented mtDNA stress and leakage by reducing oxidative stress. Interestingly, TS-induced mtDNA leakage caused a series of inflammation events via mtDNA-PRRs pathways, including TLR21-NF-κB, NLRP3 inflammasome, and cGAS-STING signaling. Encouragingly, all these adverse changes related to inflammation events induced by mtDNA-PRRs activation were all relieved by APS treatment. In summary, our findings provide the first evidence that inhibition of mtDNA-PRRs pathway-mediated sterile inflammation by APS could protect against TS-induced cardiac damage in chicks.

Metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic profiles provide insights on meat quality differences between Shitou and Wuzong geese

A comprehensive comparison of metabolomic, lipidomic, and proteomic profiles was conducted between the breast and leg muscles of Shitou goose (STE) and Wuzhong goose (WZE), which exhibit significant variations in body size and growth rate, to evaluate their impact on meat quality. WZE had higher intramuscular fat content in their breast muscles, which were also chewier and had higher drip and cooking losses than STE. Metabolomic analysis revealed differential regulation of amino acid and purine metabolism between WZE and STE. Lipidomic analysis indicated a higher abundance of PE and PC lipid molecules in WZE. Integration of proteomic and metabolomic data highlighted purine metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis as the major distinguishing pathways between STE and WZE. The primary differential pathways between breast and leg muscles were associated with energy metabolism and fatty acid metabolism. This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into the distinct meat quality of STE and WZE.

Improving quality of poultry and its meat products with probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts

Remarkable changes have occurred in poultry farming and meat processing in recent years, driven by advancements in breeding technology, feed processing technology, farming conditions, and management practices. The incorporation of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts has made significant contributions to the development of poultry meat products that promote both health and functionality throughout the growth phase and during meat processing. Poultry fed with these substances improve meat quality, while incorporating probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts in poultry processing, as additives or supplements, inhibits pathogens and offers health benefits to consumers. However, it is vital to assess the safety of functional fermented meat products containing these compounds and their potential effects on consumer health. Currently, there's still uncertainty in these aspects. Additionally, research on utilizing next-generation probiotic strains and synergistic combinations of probiotics and prebiotics in poultry meat products is in its early stages. Therefore, further investigation is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the beneficial effects and safety considerations of these substances in poultry meat products in the future. This review offered a comprehensive overview of the applications of probiotics and prebiotics in poultry farming, focusing on their effects on nutrient utilization, growth efficiency, and gut health. Furthermore, potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts in enhancing poultry meat production was explored for improved health benefits and functionality, and possible issues associated with the use of these substances were discussed. Moreover, the conclusions drawn from this review and potential future perspectives in this field are presented.

Insights into the mechanism of L-malic acid on drip loss of chicken meat under commercial conditions

BACKGROUND

A deterioration in the meat quality of broilers has attracted much more attention in recent years. L-malic acid (MA) is evidenced to decrease meat drip loss in broilers, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unclear. It's also not sure whether the outputs obtained under experimental conditions can be obtained in a commercial condition. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of dietary MA supplementation on chicken meat drip loss at large-scale rearing.

RESULTS

Results showed that the growth performance and drip loss were improved by MA supplementation. Meat metabolome revealed that L-2-aminoadipic acid, β-aminoisobutyric acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and nicotinamide, as well as amino acid metabolism pathways connected to the improvements of meat quality by MA addition. The transcriptome analysis further indicated that the effect of MA on drip loss was also related to the proper immune response, evidenced by the enhanced B cell receptor signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We provided evidence that MA decreased chicken meat drip loss under commercial conditions. Metabolome and transcriptome revealed a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Together, MA could be used as a promising dietary supplement for enhancing the water-holding capacity of chicken meat.

Dietary Betaine Supplementation Enhances Colonic Barrier Function through the Nrf2/Keap1 and TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK Signaling Pathways and Alters Colonic Microbiota in Bama Mini-Pigs

This study evaluated the effects of betaine supplementation in sows and/or their offspring's diets on the redox status, immune and inflammatory levels, colonic barrier function, and colonic microbial community of offspring piglets. Thirty-six Bama mini-sows on day 3 of gestation and their weaned offspring piglets (28 d of age) were randomly allocated to the following treatments: (1) sows and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet (control group, Con group); (2) sows fed the basal diet with 3.50 kg/t betaine, and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet (sows betaine group, SB group); (3) sows fed the basal diet with 3.50 kg/t betaine, and their weaned offspring fed the basal diet with 2.50 kg/t betaine (sow-offspring betaine group, S-OB group). Six offspring piglets from each group were selected to collect plasma and colon samples on d 30, 60, and 90 after weaning. Compared with the Con group, the plasma levels of IgA, IgM, GSH-Px, and SOD during d 30-90 after weaning, IFN-α, T-AOC, and GSH on d 30 and 60 after weaning were increased, while MDA during d 30-90 after weaning was decreased in the SB and S-OB groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the plasma levels of IFN-γ on d 60 and T-AOC on d 30 after weaning were higher in the S-OB group than those in the Con group (p < 0.05). In the colon, betaine supplementation increased plasma T-AOC, GSH, and SOD levels while decreasing MDA concentration (p < 0.05). Betaine supplementation improved the colonic protein abundances of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin in offspring and activated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway while inhibiting the TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway on d 90 after weaning. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed that betaine supplementation altered colonic microbiota composition by increasing the relative abundances of Verrucomicrobia and Actinobacteria in the SB group while decreasing proinflammatory-associated microbiota abundances (Tenericutes, Prevotella, and Parabacteroides) (p < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that dietary betaine supplementation in sows and/or their offspring could improve offspring piglets' redox status and immune and anti-inflammatory levels and enhance the colonic barrier function by activating Nrf2/Keap1 and inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.

Betaine as an alternative feed additive to choline and its effect on performance, blood parameters, and egg quality in laying hens rations

This research aimed to evaluate how using betaine levels as a choline substitute affects productive performance, egg quality parameters, fatty acids profile, and antioxidant status in laying hens. One hundred and forty brown chickens, 45 wk old, were divided into 4 groups, each group of 7 replicates with 5 chickens per replicate. The first group of diets with choline has control (A) 100% choline, the second group (B) 75% choline + 25% betaine, the third group (C) 50% choline + 50% betaine, and the fourth group (D) received 100% betaine. No significant effects were observed in final body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), egg production (EW), and feed intake (FI) for laying hens. In the diet in which betaine was replaced choline, egg mass (EM) and egg weight (EW) increased compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Also, after 12 wk of feeding, the egg quality parameters were not influenced; however, yolk color was increased significantly compared with the control group. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-lipoprotein, HDL-lipoprotein, triglyceride, glucose, aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were not affected by replacing choline with betaine. Furthermore, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content, yolk vitamin E, and fatty acid levels were not significantly affected by replacing choline with betaine. Moreover, hens fed betaine displayed an increased antibody titer of the Newcastle disease (ND) virus. EW and EM were increased by 3.50% and 5.43% in 100% betaine group (D) when compared to the control group. Isthmus weight was decreased by 48.28 % in 50% choline + 50% betaine group (C) when compared to the control group. ND was increased by 26.24% in 100% betaine group when compared to the control group. In conclusion, betaine supplementation positively affected productive performance, egg quality measurements, and immunity response in Bovans brown laying hens.

Perinatal exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides impairs progeny health and placental angiogenesis by disturbing mitochondrial function

Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBHs) are the most widely used pesticide worldwide and can provoke placental injury. However, whether and how GBHs damage angiogenesis in the placenta is not yet known. This work evaluated the safety of glyphosate on pregnant sows based on the limit level by governments and investigated the effects and mechanism of Low-GBHs (20 mg/kg) and High-GBHs (100 mg/kg) exposure on placental angiogenesis. Results showed that gestational exposure to GBHs decreased placental vessel density and cell multiplication by interfering with the expression of VEGFA, PLGF, VEGFr2 and Hand2 (indicators of angiogenesis), which may be in relation to oxidative stress-induced disorders of mitochondrial fission and fusion as well as the impaired function of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Additionally, GBHs destroyed barrier function and nutrient transport in the placenta, and was accompanied by jejunum oxidative stress in newborn piglets. However, GBHs exposure had no significant differences on sow reproductive performance. As a natural antioxidant, betaine treatment protected placenta and newborn piglets against GBHs-induced damage. In conclusion, GBHs impaired placental angiogenesis and function and further damaged the health of postnatal progeny, these effects may be linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Betaine treatment following glyphosate exposure provided modest relief.

Betaine: A Potential Nutritional Metabolite in the Poultry Industry

Poultry industry has been recognized as a fast-developing sector aiming to produce low-cost and high-nutrient foods for human consumption. This review article aimed to focus on the significant roles of dietary betaine supplementation in the poultry industry. In this respect, different effects of betaine on performance and carcass traits, as well as its osmoregulatory, anticoccidial, immune-modulatory, and heat-stress alleviation activities, were discussed. Different concentrations of betaine supplementation can improve the feed conversion ratio, final body weight, breast muscle yield, egg production ratio, and reduce body fat contents in broiler chicken, turkey, duck, geese, and quail diets. Betaine supplemented with methyl groups can eliminate the need to have some methyl-group donors, including choline and methionine, therefore having positive effects on feed conversion ratio in poultry diets. The osmolytic character of betaine can alleviate heat stress and have a positive impact on tonic immobility, which consequently reduces stress in poultry. By inhibiting distinct developmental stages of Eimeria species, betaine reduces the damaging effects of coccidiosis on broiler chickens and improves intestinal structure and function. The immunological, cardiovascular, neurological, renal, and hepatic metabolic systems benefit from betaine's osmo-protective properties. Therefore, betaine has the potential to be considered as an alternative to feed additives and enhances the health status and productive performance of poultry.