Exploring the potentials of betaine supplementation as a performance booster in poultry
Alok Mishra1, Preeti Bisht2, Alok K Wankar3
1Senior Research Fellow, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, 263153-Pantnagar,
Uttarakhand, India.
2PhD Scholar, Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, 263153-Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India.
3Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, 431402-Parbhani, Maharashtra, India. Email ID: wankaralok@gmail.com
Here we explores the nutritional and performance boosting functions of betaine supplementation in poultry ration as a micro feed additive. Betaine is a trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine and is a normal metabolite in many plant and animal tissues. Many studies have investigated the favourable effects of betaine on performance in different animal species and poultry. Currently, there are over 23 billion poultry and our consumption of poultry meat per annum has increased from 2.88 kg to 14.13 kg (FAOSTAT, 2016) and it is expected to surpass 102.9 million tons by 2021(USDA, 2020).
Being simple stomached, the poultry production is constantly regulated by grain prices and the search for alternative, quality and cheap substitute nutrients and proteins that will improves the efficiency of nutrient utilization, performance, profitability is continuously going on. Grains, some vegetables, fruits, meats and some dairy products are the chief source of betaine. Grains, especially whole grains, wheat bran, wheat, some marine organisms, spinach and beets are good betaine source. Betaine is involved in trans-methylation reactions, increase nutrient utilization, digestibility and methionine availability. Boosting immune status and reducing oxidative or heat stress are also some of the important functions of betaine.
- Effect of betaine supplementation on nutrient utilization and digestibility
Being a osmolytic and methyl donor, the stress reducing property cannot be overlooked which may be due to osmo-protective function in intestine. In coccidiotic or diarrheal broilers, supplementation of betaine resulted in higher absorption of AA like, lysine and methionine. Similarly, betaine supplementation increased total G.I. tract nitrogen digestibility, fibre digestibility and energy digestibility.
- Effect of betaine supplementation on performance and carcass characteristics Betaine
Supplementation in hens at the dose of 0.06 to 0.08% improved the performance by up to 8.7%, increased average daily weight gain and feed efficiency in broiler birds (Hassan et al., 2005). This might be due to the methionine sparing action of betaine as an additive. Also, supplemented birds showed reduction in abdominal fat and increase in breast lean meat. Not only this, but betaine supplementation is Eimeria and coccidia infected poultry also decreased pathogenesis probably by protection of the intestinal structure, integrity and functions. The stress alleviation like heat stress etc. resulted into improved growth rates, feed efficiency, enhanced egg production rate and egg shell quality in poultry.
- Effect of betaine on serum metabolites, hormones and stress
In ducks feeding betaine at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg diet, lead to decrease and increase in concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, respectively. Also, a significant increase in total protein, albumin and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was noted in betain supplemented birds. The higher levels of total protein are positively correlated with body tissue growth, confirming the essential protein sparing action of betaine in broilers. Supplementation of betaine had a positive effect of lipid profile and there was a significant increase in serum triglycerides (TG) and higher cholesterol concentration in 42 day old broilers. The stress reducing properties are also confirmed as betaine supplementation led to lower rectal temperatures and respiration rates, under high environmental temperatures. It is also known to increase the antioxidant enzymes like, glutathion peroxidase and catalase, thereby providing stress alleviation in broilers.
With the increase in human population and urbanization the food industry will be facing a big challenge in future. We have to improve the animal production in a cost effective manner in future. Betaine, other such feed supplements and alternative feeds which have the potential to improve growth, performance and reduce cost of production have to be explored and incorporated. Hereafter, only by adoption of improved feeding and managemental policies, we can build a sustainable poultry industry to provide to the humans, as excellent source of nutrition.
References
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