EFFECT OF TRYPTOPHAN SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF MEAT TYPE BIRDS: A REVIEW

Abstract

The requirement of animal protein is increasing with the population growth of the world. To fulfil this requirement, poultry meat is the cheapest and major source of animal protein. However, growth of broiler birds is being maximized by supplementing various nutrients from both artificial and natural source. One of the major nutrient for optimizing broiler growth performance are amino acids. Amino acids play a major role in meat type bird’s growth as they are the building blocks of protein synthesis and regulate different metabolic pathways. These metabolic pathways increases the digestion and absorption of nutrients. The purpose of this review is to insight the effect of tryptophan on production parameters and metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of serotonin. On the basis of this review, we can conclude that tryptophan level of 0.20% during the starter phase and 0.15% during the finisher phase is mandatory to maintain optimum growth performance. However, tryptophan level of 0.20% is sole precursor for the synthesis of serotonin that is a neuromediator. Serotonin is involved in the dietary choice of broiler bird, improving gastrointestinal motility and intestinal secretion. Therefore, it is concluded that optimum level of tryptophan should be maintained in diet either by natural or synthetic source to optimize the growth performance and metabolic activities.