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PubMed2002

The effects of dietary humate supplementation on broiler growth and carcass yield.

The growth-promoting effect of Farmagülatör DRY Humate (FH) on live performance, carcass weight, and the abdominal fat pad of broilers was studied during different feeding periods. Four hundred, 1-d-old straight-run birds were randomly distributed to 20 floor pens of an environmentally controlled house. Four dietary regimens were replicated in five pens, each containing 20 chicks, as follows: 1) birds received no added FH in the starter or grower (NAFH), 2) birds received FH from 0 to 21 d (FH0-21), 3) birds received FH from 22 to 42 d (FH22-42), 4) birds received FH from 0 to 42 d (FH0-42) in the starter and grower diets, respectively. The FH was added to the diets at 2.5 kg/per ton of feed. Starter and grower diets were formulated to meet the minimum NRC requirements for broilers and were provided as a mash feed. Body weights at 21 d were not affected by the dietary regimens. At 42 d, body weights and feed conversions of broilers were significantly affected by the dietary humate treatments. Birds fed FH22-42 weighed more than the NAFH, whereas the FH0-21 and FH0-42 were intermediate and not different from the other treatments. Feed:gain was lower for the FH22-42 and FH0-42 treatments compared to the NAFH. There was no difference in carcass yield or abdominal fat pad percentages due to feeding FH. Feeding FH during the grower period had the most beneficial effect in terms of growth and feed conversion on broiler performance.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

The effect of using different levels of tilapia by-product meal in broiler diets.

The tilapia industry has grown significantly. Much waste is generated by the industry due to the fact that only the myomere muscles are removed and sold for human consumption. This portion constitutes approximately 36% of the entire fish, leaving 64% of the fish as waste lost during the various processing operations. This waste from the tilapia processing plant has the potential of being an alternative protein source in broiler rations. The objective of this study was to measure the effect of substituting different levels of tilapia by-product meal (TBM) for soybean meal (SBM) in broiler diets. For the experiment 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% of the crude protein contributed by SBM in broiler diets was substituted with crude protein from TBM. A control and five levels of TBM were used in a corn-soybean-based diet and fed to chicks from 0 to 42 d of age. Chicks were identified and randomly allocated in a randomized complete block design. Body weight, cumulative feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were determined on a weekly basis. At processing, carcass weights and yields were determined on a prechilled basis. Results showed that chicks fed 10, 20, and 30% TBM had significantly (P < 0.05) higher BW and feed consumption and improved feed conversion from 14 to 28 d of age compared to the other treatments. No significant differences were found for the remaining 35 and 42 d BW, feed consumption, feed conversions, mortalities, or carcass weights or yields for any of the treatments. In conclusion, the results showed that TBM could be used in broiler diets for up to 50% of the crude protein contributed by SBM.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2002

Effect of dietary sorghum cultivars on the storage stability of broiler breast and thigh meat.

A total of 450 1-d-old male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soy-flax meal-based diet (control), two cultivars of sorghum--Ruby Red (low tannin content) and Valpo Red (high tannin content)--were used at 10% level. Birds were slaughtered at the end of 42-d feeding trial. Boneless, skinless breast and thigh muscles were separated and ground to make patties. Half of the breast and thigh meat patties were individually packaged in zipper bags, and 2-TBA-reactive substances (TBARS) and colors of the patties were determined after 0 and 7 d of storage at 4 C. The other half was cooked and vacuum-packaged. The vacuum-packaged patties were used to determine time-dependent volatile production and oxidative change during 12-h holding time before analyses. Thigh meat from broilers fed the Valpo Red cultivar produced lower TBARS than that from control at Day 0. The amounts of aldehydes and sulfur compounds of cooked breast meats were lower from chickens fed the Valpo Red cultivar than those fed the control or Ruby Red cultivar. Dietary Valpo Red cultivar improved the oxidative stability of breast meat 8 and 12 h after cooking. Dietary sorghum slightly improved the color a* stability of raw thigh meat patties. This result indicated that feeding sorghum to broilers could improve some measures of the storage stability of broiler meat, but sorghum with high tannin content was more effective than that with low tannin content.

Aldehydes↗

PubMed2003

Improvements in the performance of commercial broilers in the USA: analysis for the years 1997 to 2001.

The performance of commercial broilers reported by broiler production units in the USA from 1997 to 2001 has been evaluated. There was a linear decrease in calorie conversion (CC) and number of days to produce a 2.27 kg bird (DAYS) but no change in percentage mortality. By contrast, there was a linear increase in final bird weight (FBW) during this period. There was a linear increase in the percentage of production units rearing birds to more than 2.5 kg and a decrease in those rearing birds to less than 2.0 kg or 2.0 to 2.5 kg. There were no differences in CC or DAYS during the first half of the year (January to June), but these traits showed a significant increase in July followed by a steep decline during August, September, and October. FBW was similar from January to June but showed a significant decrease in July. No consistent variation in monthly mortality was noted. It is concluded that improvements in the productivity of broilers have been achieved from 1997 to 2001 but that more attention should be given to the problem of broiler management during the summer months.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing grain from YieldGard Rootworm (MON863), YieldGard Plus (MON810 x MON863), nontransgenic control, or commercial reference corn hybrids.

Two 42-d experiments compared the nutritional value of YieldGard Rootworm corn (MON863; experiment 1) and YieldGard Plus corn (MON810 x MON863; experiment 2) to their respective nontransgenic controls and 6 commercial reference corn hybrids when fed to growing broilers. For each experiment, a randomized complete block design was used with 8 dietary treatments in each of 5 replicated blocks of pens. In experiment 1, no differences among diets were observed (P > 0.05) for final live weights and feed conversion. Broilers fed diets containing MON863 corn had adjusted feed conversion similar to the nontransgenic control and the population of control and commercial diets. On a weight basis, there were no differences among diets for chill, fat pad, and thigh, drum, and wing weights. Differences (P < 0.05) between MON863 and commercial corn diets were noted for breast meat, chill and thigh, drum, and wing weights on a percentage of weight basis. No differences were observed (P > 0.05) in the percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast meat or thigh meat across treatment diets. In experiment 2, there were no significant differences among diets for all broiler performance and carcass parameters evaluated. Broilers overall performed consistently and had similar carcass yields and meat compositions when fed diets containing MON863 corn or MON810 x MON863 corn as compared with their respective nontransgenic control and commercial diets, supporting a conclusion of similar feeding values among diets.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2003

Nutritive value of high-oil corn grown under semi-arid conditions and its impact on broiler performance and carcass composition.

A series of experiments was conducted to evaluate nutritive value of a high-oil corn (HOC) cultivar, grown under semiarid conditions, and its impact on performance and carcass characteristics of male broilers raised to market age. Conventional corn (CC) and HOC used in this research were produced under similar semi-arid conditions. By using a glucose containing reference diet in Experiment 1, the AMEn of CC, as determined on 11-d-old male broilers, was lower (P < 0.05) than that of HOC (3,541 vs. 3,669 kcal/kg DM). The TME, TMEn, and true amino acid availability of CC and HOC were determined in Experiment 2 through individual precision feeding of eight intact mature roosters per ingredient. The TMEn of HOC was significantly higher than that of CC (4,126 vs. 3,870 kcal/kg DM), but true availability of amino acids was comparable for both cultivars. By using the CP and TMEn values determined in Experiment 2, two corn soybean meal starter and grower diets, containing no added fat, were prepared in Experiment 3, in which HOC replaced CC. Diets were provided ad libitum in five replicates to 5-d-old male broilers with eight birds per replicate until market age. Broiler performance, carcass yield, and carcass composition were comparable between both corn cultivars. Birds on HOC diet, however, deposited more (P < 0.05) abdominal fat (0.695%) than those on CC diet (0.575%). The results indicated that the extra calories derived from HOC could have been funneled primarily toward abdominal fat pad deposition rather than increased growth.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2003

Polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce insulin and very low density lipoprotein levels in broiler chickens.

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different dietary fatty acid profiles on plasma levels of insulin, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), cholesterol, and glucose. Diets with four types of fat (tallow, olive, sunflower, and linseed oils) at an inclusion level of 10% and a basal diet without additional fat were administered to female broiler chickens. Serum insulin, cholesterol, and plasma VLDL were affected by the different treatments; however, glucose concentrations were similar among treatments. In the fasted state, broilers fed diets with sunflower or linseed oil presented lower levels of insulin and cholesterol with respect to those fed tallow or olive oil (P < 0.05). VLDL in the fasted state was reduced in broilers fed sunflower and linseed oils (P < 0.05) with respect to those fed tallow, olive oil, or the basal diet. Plasma levels of VLDL were only significantly correlated with abdominal fat in birds fed the basal diet, in the fed and in the fasted state, and in those fed linseed oil in the fed state (P < 0.05). Results of this experiment suggest that higher insulin levels in broilers fed diets rich in saturated fatty acids could be related to higher fat deposition. Fat deposition in birds fed high fat diets was not correlated with circulating VLDL, which suggested direct dietary fat deposition, except for birds fed linseed oil diets. Although birds fed linseed oil diets presented lower levels of VLDL than those fed tallow, olive oil, or the basal diet, the higher correlation with abdominal fat suggests that in these birds, fat deposition is more dependent on hepatic VLDL secretion, despite the high dietary fat level.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2003

Heat processing of barley and enzyme supplementation of diets for broilers.

The influence of heat processing (HP) of barley and enzyme supplementation (ES) of the diet on digestive and performance traits of broilers to 21 d was studied. There were four treatments arranged factorially with two barley-processing treatments (raw or heated), two levels of ES (0 or 500 ppm), and five replicates per treatment. Chicks fed HP barley grew faster than broilers fed raw barley until 8 d of age, but the effect disappeared thereafter. In general, ES improved broiler performance at all ages. Intestinal viscosity was increased by HP of barley (P < or = 0.05) and reduced by ES (P < or = 0.001), and the decrease in viscosity caused by ES was greater for HP than for raw barley diets (HP x ES; P < or = 0.05). Heat processing of barley and ES of the diet improved apparent retention of nutrients (P < or = 0.001). Age affected apparent retention of nutrients differently. For starch and neutral detergent fiber, retention increased linearly with age (P < or = 0.01), but for the remaining nutrients the retention decreased from d 4 to 8 and then increased until d 21 (P < or = 0.001). Also, the beneficial effects of HP on retention of nutrients were more pronounced at younger ages (HP x age; P < or = 0.05). Both HP (P < or = 0.001) and ES (P < or = 0.01) increased liver weight, and enzymes reduced the weights of pancreas (P < or = 0.05) and small intestine (P < or = 0.001). Villus height was improved by HP (P < or = 0.001) and ES (P < or = 0.01), but villus surface area was only improved by enzymes (P < or = 0.01). It was concluded that broiler performance is improved by HP of barley at early ages and by ES of the diet throughout the trial. Also, HP and ES increased apparent retention of nutrients, AMEn of the diet, and villus height.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed2003

Methionine and cystine requirements of slow- and fast-feathering male broilers from zero to three weeks of age.

Two experiments were conducted with fast- (Ross x 3F8) and slow- (Ross x 308) feathering broiler males from 0 to 3 wk of age to determine Met and Cys requirements. A corn-soybean meal basal diet was formulated to be deficient in Met and Cys but was adequate in all other nutrients (22.0% CP; 3,050 kcal ME/kg). In experiment 1, diets contained 0.50% dietary Cys with 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50% total Met. Feed conversion (FC) of slow- and fast-feathering males improved in a similar manner to 0.50% Met (linear, P < 0.05). Nitrogen retention measured from 20 to 21 d of age optimized at 0.46% Met (quadratic, P < 0.01), regardless of feathering rate. Experiment 2 examined the response to feeding 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, and 0.50% total Cys in diets having total Met at 0.45%. Increasing Cys improved FC that optimized at 0.40% with fast-feathering birds (quadratic, P < 0.01), whereas slow-feathering broilers were not responsive. Nitrogen retention measured from d 20 to 21 did not indicate a difference attributable to feathering but a Cys optimization at 0.43% with both broiler sources. Present experimentation indicates a Met requirement approximating 0.50% is appropriate for broilers 0 to 3 wk of age, regardless of feather rate; however, the estimated Cys requirement for slow-feathering males (0.39%) was less than for fast-feathering (0.44%) males.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Atmospheric ammonia is detrimental to the performance of modern commercial broilers.

Atmospheric ammonia inhibits broiler performance. Quantified effects are based on older genetic stock with a BW of 2000 g at 7 wk. In contrast, modern genetic stock reaches 3200 g at 7 wk of age. To assess the impact on present day broilers, 2 trials were conducted exposing male broilers to graded levels (0, 25, 50, and 75 ppm) of aerial ammonia from 0 to 4 wk of age. Sixty, 1-d-old chicks were placed in environmentally controlled chambers, weighed weekly as a group, and processed with yield determined at 7 wk of age. Final BW was significantly depressed by 6 and 9% for the 50 and 75 ppm concentrations of ammonia as compared with 0 ppm. Also, mortality was significantly greater at the 75 ppm ammonia concentration, 13.9% compared with 5.8% for the 0 ppm treatment. Percentage yield of deboned meat per bird decreased slightly with increasing exposure to ammonia but was not statistically significant. Although current genetic stock reaches growout weights that are approximately 60% greater than those 2 decades ago, the relative quantified effects of ammonia exposure were similar. Additionally, statistical analysis of the results provided a simple equation, presented herein, for predicting the decline in BW of male broilers after exposure to ammonia.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2004

Impact of dietary supplemental methionine sources on sensory measurement of odor-related compounds in broiler excreta.

An experiment was conducted to detect differences in odor characteristics of broiler excreta due to utilization of different supplementary Met sources by a trained human descriptive aroma attribute sensory panel. The 5 treatment groups were no supplemental Met (control group), sodium methioninate aqueous solution, dry Met hydroxy analogue, liquid Met hydroxy analogue, and DL-Met. Two trials were conducted consisting of 5 treatment groups with 3 replications of 13 randomly distributed straight run broiler chicks per pen reared in battery cages. Starter and grower diets were formulated to contain 0.5 and 0.38% Met activity, respectively (except control group, 0.35% Met activity). Excreta were collected for 24 h in litter pans lined with aluminum foil at wk 4, 5, and 6 and analyzed by a trained sensory panel (7 people). Each panelist was given 25 g of manure heated at 27 degrees C for 5 min for sensory analysis. The 13 odor attributes used to determine differences in broiler excreta by the trained sensory panel were ammonia, dirty socks, wet poultry, fermented rotten fruit, hay, musty wet, sharp, sour, urinous, rotten eggs, irritating, pungent, and nauseating. Panelist marked intensities for each attribute ranging from 0 = none and 15 = extremely intense. Each panelist was given 2 replications of each treatment group in a random order each week (total of 10 samples per wk). All data were evaluated by ANOVA using the general linear model procedure of SAS software. No significant differences were observed in BW, feed consumption, or feed conversion among the treatments. The attributes of ammonia, wet poultry, rotten fruit, musty wet, sharp, and pungent differed (P < 0.05) across treatment groups. These findings demonstrate that supplemental Met sources significantly influence odor production in broiler excreta.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Differences in intestinal gene expression profiles in broiler lines varying in susceptibility to malabsorption syndrome.

Examination of the host gene expression response upon encounters with pathogens may provide insights into the cellular events following an infection. In addition, it may shed light on the basic mechanisms underlying differences in the susceptibility of the host. In this study gene expression in the chicken jejunum was investigated in 2 different broiler lines under control and malabsorption syndrome (MAS) affected conditions. The 2 broiler lines differ in their susceptibility for MAS. The gene expression was investigated at 6 different times postinoculation using a custom-made intestine specific cDNA microarray. More than 70 up- or downregulated genes were identified after a MAS inoculation in both broiler lines. However, the number of the up- and downregulated genes varied between the 2 lines, with more differences in expression in the most susceptible line. Marked differences were observed in expression profiles between the 2 broiler lines, in control as well as in the MAS affected birds. The microarray data were validated and confirmed by quantitative real time PCR. The differentially expressed genes included immune related genes, genes associated with food absorption, and genes that need to be characterized further before their role in MAS and MAS susceptibility can be understood.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Effects of substitution between fat and protein on feed intake and its regulatory mechanisms in broiler chickens: energy and protein metabolism and diet-induced thermogenesis.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary macronutrient ratio on energy, protein, and lipid metabolism and on the involvement of diet-induced thermogenesis in feed intake regulation of broiler chickens. Male broilers were reared from 1 to 7 wk on isoenergetic diets with substitutions between fat and protein and similar carbohydrate content [low protein (LP): 126 vs. 242 g of protein/kg; low fat (LF): 43 vs. 106 g of fat/kg]. Every week from 21 d onward, 3 chickens per group were placed in open-circuit respiratory cells to measure energy and protein metabolism in fasting, short-term refeeding (5 h) and ad libitum conditions. As LP chickens had a significantly lower BW from 2 wk onward, all parameters were expressed per kilograms of metabolic BW. Feed intake, gross energy intake, and apparent metabolizable energy intake were significantly higher in LP than LF birds. The excessive energy relative to protein intake resulted in significantly increased heat production and energy retention as fat. The latter effect and a significantly increased respiratory quotient indicated higher de novo lipogenesis in the LP chickens. Furthermore, the efficiency of protein retention was significantly better in LP broilers. Neither diet-induced thermogenesis nor feed intake during a 5-h refeeding period was affected by diet composition. Our results indicate that isoenergetic substitution of fat for protein has a strong effect on growth and on energy and protein balance in broilers. The theory linking diet-induced thermogenesis to feed intake could not be corroborated or countered, and further research is warranted.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Use of nonlinear programming to optimize performance response to energy density in broiler feed formulation.

A nonlinear programming optimization model was developed to maximize margin over feed cost in broiler feed formulation and is described in this paper. The model identifies the optimal feed mix that maximizes profit margin. Optimum metabolizable energy level and performance were found by using Excel Solver nonlinear programming. Data from an energy density study with broilers were fitted to quadratic equations to express weight gain, feed consumption, and the objective function income over feed cost in terms of energy density. Nutrient:energy ratio constraints were transformed into equivalent linear constraints. National Research Council nutrient requirements and feeding program were used for examining changes in variables. The nonlinear programming feed formulation method was used to illustrate the effects of changes in different variables on the optimum energy density, performance, and profitability and was compared with conventional linear programming. To demonstrate the capabilities of the model, I determined the impact of variation in prices. Prices for broiler, corn, fish meal, and soybean meal were increased and decreased by 25%. Formulations were identical in all other respects. Energy density, margin, and diet cost changed compared with conventional linear programming formulation. This study suggests that nonlinear programming can be more useful than conventional linear programming to optimize performance response to energy density in broiler feed formulation because an energy level does not need to be set.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Influence of two plant extracts on broilers performance, digestibility, and digestive organ size.

A 42-d trial was conducted to study the influence of 2 plant extracts on performance, digestibility, and digestive organ weights in broilers. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet until 21 d and a finisher diet until 42 d. There were 4 treatment groups: control; 10 ppm avilamycin (AB); 200 ppm essential oil extract (EOE) from oregano, cinnamon, and pepper; and 5,000 ppm Labiatae extract (LE) from sage, thyme, and rosemary. No differences in feed intake or feed conversion were observed. From 14 to 21 d of age, broilers fed the LE diet grew faster than the broilers fed the control or EOE feeds (68.8 vs. 63.9 and 61.6 g/d, respectively). Antibiotic and plant extract supplementation improved apparent whole-tract and ileal digestibility of the nutrients. For starter feed, LE supplementation improved apparent fecal digestibility of DM (P < 0.01), and all additives increased ether extract digestibility (P < 0.001). However, no effect was detected for CP digestibility (P > 0.1). At the ileal level, the AB, EOE, and LE supplementation of the starter feed increased DM and starch (P < 0.01) digestibility but not CP digestibility (P > 0.1). All additives improved apparent fecal digestibility of DM and CP of the finisher diet. No differences were observed for proventriculus, gizzard, liver, pancreas, or large or small intestine weight. In the present study, both plant extracts improved the digestibility of the feeds for broilers. The effect of different additives on digestibility improved the performance slightly, but this effect was not statistically significant.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Nutritive value of full-fat sunflower seeds in broiler diets.

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value and inclusion level of sunflower seed (SFS) in broiler diets. SFS contained 38.7% ether extract (EE), 16.9% CP, 14.9% crude fiber (CF), 3.5% ash, 0.57% lysine, and 0.46% methionine (89.2% DM basis). The AME (kcal/ kg) content of SFS in roosters was 5,225 and in broilers at 4, 18, and 35 d of age was 3,493, 5,132, and 5,162, respectively. The CP, EE, and CF digestibilities were 80.4, 71.2, and 11.4%, respectively. In an isocaloric and isonitrogenous diet containing SFS at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%, SFS up to 20% did not affect weight gain and feed consumption, but the feed conversion ratio was improved (P < 0.05) when broilers were fed 15 or 20% SFS in the starter and finisher diets. CF digestibility of starter diet was significantly lower when 15 or 20% SFS was included. CF digestibility of the finisher diet and digestibility of other nutrients in starter and finisher diets were comparable in all treatment groups. Liver and muscle lipid content, plasma total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content, muscle cholesterol content, dressing percentage, liver weight, and giblet weight (as % live weight) were comparable among all treatment groups. Abdominal fat was increased in birds fed 20% SFS. Percentage skin was decreased in broilers fed > or = 10% SFS.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of broiler performance when fed diets containing roundup ready (event RT73), nontransgenic control, or commercial canola meal.

A 42-d experiment compared the nutritional value of genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant (Roundup Ready event RT73) canola meal to that of conventional canola meal when fed to rapidly growing Ross x Ross 508 broilers using a randomized complete block design. Five pens of males and 5 pens of females were used in each of 8 canola meal treatments (glyphosate-tolerant, nontransgenic control, and 6 commercial varieties). Broilers (10 birds/pen) were fed approximately 25% wt/wt canola meal during the first 20 d and 20% wt/wt canola meal thereafter. In general, performance response variables for glyphosate-tolerant canola meal were not different (P > 0.05) than those for the nontransgenic and commercial canola meals. Carcass fat pad, breast meat, thighs, legs, and wings (on a percentage basis) were similar across treatments (P > 0.05). Expressed as percentage of live weight, chill weight of the broilers fed diets containing glyphosate-tolerant canola meal was not different from those fed all other diets, but some differences were observed between the nontransgenic control and commercial diets. No major differences were observed in percentage of moisture, protein, and fat in breast or thigh meat (P > 0.05) across treatments. Comparisons of the glyphosate-tolerant canola diet to the population of all other diets (combining sexes) showed no major differences (P > 0.05) in performance, carcass yields, or moisture, protein, and fat in breast and thigh meat. Broilers fed diets containing glyphosate-tolerant canola meal had similar growth performance to birds fed nontransgenic control and commercial canola diets.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Low feed efficient broilers within a single genetic line exhibit higher oxidative stress and protein expression in breast muscle with lower mitochondrial complex activity.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of low or high feed efficiency (FE) on a) protein oxidation, b) the activities of various respiratory chain complexes, and c) expression of various mitochondrial proteins in male broilers within a single genetic line. Tissue homogenate or mitochondria were isolated from breast muscle of broilers with high (0.80 +/- 0.01) and low FE (0.62 +/- 0.02). The complex activities were measured spectrophotometrically, and the levels of oxidized protein (carbonyl) and immunoreactive mitochondrial proteins were analyzed using Western blots. Protein carbonyl levels were higher in low FE compared with high FE broilers breast muscle, which indicated enhanced protein oxidation in low FE mitochondria. Activities of all respiratory chain complexes (I, II, III, IV) were higher in high FE compared with low FE broilers for breast mitochondria. Whereas the expression of immunoreactive proteins was higher in low FE muscle mitochondria for 5 mitochondrial proteins [core I, cyt c1, cyt b (complex III), COX II (cytochrome c oxidase subunit II, complex IV), and adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT1)], there were no differences between groups in the expression of 9 other respiratory chain protein subunits associated with complexex I, II, III, IV, and V. SDS-PAGE revealed a protein band of 47 kDa that was expressed at a higher level in low FE compared with high FE mitochondria. The differential expression of certain mitochondrial proteins and the 47-kDa band might be a compensatory response either to the lower complex activities or increased protein oxidation observed in low FE birds.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗