Abstract
Abstract. This trial was conducted to examine the effect of betaine on performance, humoral immunity, small intestinal morphology and blood osmotic pressure parameters of broiler chicks consumed different levels of water salinity. Total of 520 day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were used with 2×4 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design. Experimental treatments were consisting of 2 levels of betaine supplementation (0 and 1.5 g/kg) and 4 levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) (250, 1 500, 3 000, 4 500 ppm). In this trial daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on days 14, 28 and 48. Small intestinal morphology was evaluated at the age of 28. Humoral immunity was assessed by evaluation of antibody titre against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and also Newcastle and influenza antigens. At the end of the experiment, blood was taken and concentration of plasma Na, K, Cl and haematocrit blood percentage was determined. Results showed that DWG significantly decreased and FCR increased in 4 500 ppm of water TDS in growing, finishing and whole period of broilers production (P<0.05). Furthermore increased plasma Na and blood hematocrit percentage observed in 4 500 ppm of water salinity (P<0.05). Betaine significantly increased DFI during growing phase (P<0.05). Betaine supplementation substantially increased antibody titre against influenza and also bursa of fabricius relative weight (P<0.05). Additionally, betaine inclusion increased villi height in ileum (P<0.05). In conclusion, increasing trend of water TDS affect chickens performance and betaine supplementation is able to improve antibody titre against influenza.
Highlights
Some areas of poultry production in the world are involved with relatively high levels of drinking water total dissolved solids (TDS)
Different levels of water TDS were provided via adding sodium chloride to the water and 96 % betaine anhydrous (Betafin S1) was applied as betaine form in this experiment
Heart weight was markedly increased using water TDS of exceed 250 ppm while other carcass traits included of carcass, abdominal fat and liver weights were not affected by water TDS augmentation (Table 6)
Summary
Some areas of poultry production in the world are involved with relatively high levels of drinking water total dissolved solids (TDS). The NRC (1974) reported that, the water TDS of less than 1 000 ppm should present no serious burden to any class of poultry. Base on the conducted studies, once the TDS in drinking water of birds rises above 1 500 ppm, osmotic stress ensues causing a transient polyuria, and when above 3 000 ppm osmoregulatory homeostasis is compromised (Bagley et al 1997, Goldstein & Skadhauge 2000). Poultries given drinking water with TDS in excess of 3 000 ppm evacuate watery faeces which may contribute to wet litter problems, growth rate depression and eventually increased flock mortality (Barton 1996). Consumption of high sodium chloride in drinking water reported to increase the blood pressure, water consumption and litter moisture of broiler chickens (Balnave & Gorman 1993)
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