The effects of varying dietary electrolyte balance levels in canola meal-based diets on growth performance, ascites susceptibility, and nutrient digestibility in cold-stressed broilers.
Dietary electrolyte balance can influence growth and ascites risk in broiler chickens, with higher DEB levels potentially reducing negative effects under cold stress.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the adipotide (prohibitin-tp01) corpusSummary and findings
This study measured the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) in canola meal-based diets on growth performance and ascites susceptibility in cold-stressed broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old male Hubbard broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments over 38 days. The findings indicated that CM-based diets led to lower body weight gain and increased ascites risk compared to soybean meal-based diets, but a higher DEB diet mitigated some negative effects.
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) supplementation in canola meal (CM)-based diets on the growth, ascites incidence, intestinal function, nutrient digestibility, stress, and thyroid function of cold-stressed broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old male Hubbard broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments: a soybean meal (SBM)-based diet and three CM-based diets formulated to have lower (CM-L), equal (CM-E), or higher DEB (CM-H) levels compared to the SBM diet. Each treatment consisted of six replicates of 15 birds, with the trial lasting 38 days. Birds fed CM- based diets exhibited lower body weight gain, reduced plasma nitric oxide (NO) concentration, diminished intestinal absorptive capacity, and decreased ileal digestibility of dry matter, energy, crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) relative to SBM- based diet fed birds. Furthermore, feed conversion ratio, the right ventricle-to-total ventricles (RV:TV) ratio, stress indicators, and relative thyroid weight were elevated, while plasma triiodothyronine was lower, all indicating a higher susceptibility to stress and ascites risk compared with SBM-based diet fed birds. However, the CM-H-based diet mitigated these negative effects when compared to the CM-l-based diet. The inclusion of the CM-H diet resulted in enhanced plasma NO and hemoglobin oxygen saturation ( SO2 ), improved jejunal absorptive capacity, and increased ileal digestibility of CP and EE. Furthermore, it led to a reduced RV:TV ratio and lower ascites mortality. Notably, concerning ascites-related mortality, blood oxygen pressure, and SO2 , the values observed in the CM-H group were comparable to those in the SBM group. In conclusion, although CM-based diets impaired growth and increased ascites risk under cold stress, elevating DEB effectively reduced ascites susceptibility and improved physiological status in broiler chickens.
Background
This paper addresses the impact of dietary electrolyte balance on the growth and health of broiler chickens, particularly under cold stress conditions. Prior research has indicated that dietary composition can significantly affect poultry health and performance. Understanding how DEB influences these factors is crucial for optimizing poultry diets and improving overall production efficiency.
Methods
The study utilized a randomized design with 360 one-day-old male Hubbard broilers assigned to four dietary treatments: a soybean meal-based diet and three canola meal-based diets with varying DEB levels. Each treatment included six replicates of 15 birds, and the trial lasted for 38 days. Primary outcomes measured included body weight gain, ascites incidence, and nutrient digestibility.
Results
Birds fed CM-based diets exhibited lower body weight gain and increased RV:TV ratio compared to those on the SBM diet. The CM-H diet improved plasma nitric oxide and hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and reduced RV:TV ratio compared to the CM-L diet. Ascites mortality was also lower in the CM-H group compared to the CM-L group.
Interpretation
The findings suggest that while CM-based diets may impair growth and increase ascites risk, a higher DEB can mitigate these adverse effects. However, the clinical significance of these findings remains uncertain, as the effect sizes may not translate into meaningful improvements in poultry health or production. Confounding factors such as the specific breed of broilers and the controlled environment of the study limit broader applicability.
Key findings
- Lower body weight gain in CM-based diets compared to SBM-based diet, n=360.
- Increased right ventricle-to-total ventricles (RV:TV) ratio in CM-based diets compared to SBM-based diet.
- Plasma triiodothyronine levels were lower in CM-based diets compared to SBM-based diet.
- Enhanced plasma nitric oxide and hemoglobin oxygen saturation in CM-H group compared to CM-L group.
- RV:TV ratio was reduced in CM-H group compared to CM-L group.
- Ascites mortality was lower in CM-H group compared to CM-L group.
Limitations
- small n=360 for a single dietary intervention
- specific breed of broilers may limit generalizability
- single-site study may not reflect broader conditions
- short follow-up period of 38 days