Abstract
ABSTRACT The capacity of the chicken intestinal tract to digest and absorb nutrients is not fully developed on the day of hatch. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of betaine on the intestinal development of broiler chickens, including brush border enzyme activities indices and morphological changes during the first week of growth. Fiftyone-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly distributed into five groups: control (C), low methionine(LM), low methionine plus betaine (LM+B), betaine 1 (B1) and betaine 2 (B2). Betaine was dissolved with a concentration of 500 mg/L in the drinking water of LM+B and B1groups and a concentration of 1000 mg/L in the B2 group. Histological assessment showed lower duodenal crypt depth and villi height/crypt depth ratio in B1 as compared to C. Jejunal villi height of B2birds was significantly higher than that of C birds, whereas jejunal crypt depth values of both B2 and LM birds were higher relative to LM+B and C birds. Betaine-fed groups had significantly a thicker ileal muscularis mucosa layer than C and LM groups. Duodenal and jejunal g-glutamyl transferase activity was significantly higher in B2birds in LM birds. Alkaline phosphatase activity in all three segments of the small intestine was significantly higher in the LM birds than in other groups. Jejunal alanine aminopeptidase activity in LM birds was significantly higher than in other groups, particularly in B1 and B2. The results suggest that betaine may be a promising agent to promote the intestinal development of broilers fed low-methionine or standard diets.
Highlights
Today, the broiler industry plays an important role in supplying the protein requirements of the people of the world
The mean values (±SEM) of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminopeptidase (AAP) activities of the three segments of small intestine are presented in Figures 1 to 3, respectively
Duodenal and ileal AAP activity was not statistically influenced by the treatments, but in the jejunum, AAP activity was significantly higher in the LM group compared with groups betaine 1 (B1) and betaine 2 (B2) (p
Summary
The broiler industry plays an important role in supplying the protein requirements of the people of the world. Genetic selection for growth has affected the digestive tract of poultry, the digestive processes are not fully developed on the day of hatch (Croom et al, 1999). Intestinal mucosal growth and production of digestive enzymes, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ- glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alanine aminopeptidase (AAP), are important for chick adaptation to the post-hatch period (Noy & Sklan, 1998). The weight of the chicken intestine, relative to body weight, increases from approximately 1% on day 17 of embryonic age (Uni et al, 2003) to a maximum (10-20%) on Norouzian H, Alirezaei M, Dezfoulian O, Taati M days 4-8 post hatch (Noy & Sklan, 1998). The first week after hatch may be the best period for studying the effects of exogenous factors on intestinal development in chickens
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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 call
