Dimethylglycine Supplementation in Reduced Energy Broilers’ Diets Restores Performance by Improving Nutrient Digestibility

Abstract

Reducing the energy content of broiler diets could lead to the formulation of diets with reduced production cost. Dimethylgycine (DMG) has been used as a dietary supplement to enhance dietary fat utilization in poultry. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of DMG supplementation in reduced energy diets on performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. Four hundred and eighty day-old broilers were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: a standard energy diet (PC treatment), a reduced energy diet by 66 kcal/kg (NC treatment) and the reduced energy diet supplemented with 500 mg/kg of DMG (DMG treatment). Fat digestibility was significantly higher in DMG group, compared to PC and NC groups. Intestines and gizzard lesion scores were found to be lower in the DMG group compared to PC. DMG supplementation resulted in lower jejunum pH and ileum viscosity in broilers. Overall, the present study showed that DMG supplementation in reduced energy broiler diets restored growth performance to the levels obtained with a standard diet. This result was probably mediated by the positive effects on the gastrointestinal function of the broilers after DMG supplementation, as evidenced by the improved nutrient digestibility, the reduced gross lesion scores and the lower values in intestinal pH and viscosity.

Expeller-Pressed Canola (Brassica napus) Meal Modulates the Structure and Function of the Cecal Microbiota, and Alters the Metabolome of the Pancreas, Liver, and Breast Muscle of Broiler Chickens

“…Betaine also affects the energy levels in muscle cells through its actions as an osmolyte; it can lower the required activity of sodium-potassium ATPases to reduce the energy expenditure of muscle cells [ 77 ]. Broilers have also previously been shown to use N,N-dimethylglycine to help compensate for lower energy diets [ 78 ]. Whether the metabolomic changes observed in chickens fed the CM diet are due to the diet providing higher energy, or a result of the chickens working metabolically harder to produce energy due to a deficit is unclear and warrants further investigation.…”

“…Some of the metabolites that were altered in the breast muscle have also been associated with a protective role against oxidative stress. For example, N,N-dimethylglycine, carnosine, and betaine have antioxidant properties that allow for them to counteract the effects of ROS [ 77 , 78 , 79 ].…”

Investigation of a Novel Multicomponent Mycotoxin Detoxifying Agent in Amelioration of Mycotoxicosis Induced by Aflatoxin-B1 and Ochratoxin A in Broiler Chicks

“…The intestine, the gizzard and the liver were collected, macroscopically examined, and scored for gross lesions [ 63 , 64 , 65 ]. In particular, the intestines were macroscopically examined and scored for enteritis lesions following a 0–3 scoring system.…”

“…In particular, the intestines were macroscopically examined and scored for enteritis lesions following a 0–3 scoring system. Intestines received a score of 0, in the case of the normal intestinal wall, a score of 1 if hyperemia of intestinal wall and/or undigested intestinal content in the last third of intestine were present, a score of 2 if congestion and thickness of intestinal wall and/or watery intestinal content were present, and a score of 3 if hemorrhages of intestinal wall were noted [ 63 ]. Birds with intestinal lesions score greater than 1 were classified as enteritis positive.…”

Therapeutic Assessment of Fractions of Hawthorn on Gastrointestinal Motility Disorder by UPLC-MS/MS-based Metabolomics

“…N, N-Dimethylglycine rapidly absorbs metabolism in-vivo. After emulsi cation, the particles of fat droplets in the nutrient are reduced, thereby improving the ability of digestive enzymes in the intestine; the intestinal epithelial villi also came in contact with nutrients to promote digestion and absorption of nutrients [32,33]. At the same time, the content of (R)-pantothenic acid decreased, indicating that the synthesis of CoA increased and the amount of the intermediate, acetyl-CoA, also increased [34][35][36].…”