Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine if total plasma homocysteine (HCY) concentrations and mortality rates due to ascites syndrome and (AS) sudden death syndrome (SDS) in broiler chickens could be lowered by diet. Elevated plasma HCY is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in humans. A total of 828 day-old male broiler chickens (Arbor Acre) were fed, for 6 wk, either a basal practical diet or one supplemented with excess vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and betaine to stimulate the degradation of HCY. The supplemented diet decreased plasma HCY by 17% (P < 0.05; n = 16 per diet). Total mortality due to AS and SDS was 18% lower in the supplemented diet but this difference was not statistically significant. Key words: Homocysteine, folate, chickens, cardiovascular disease, ascites, sudden death syndrome
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
