Effects of dietary copper and amino acid density on growth performance, apparent metabolizable energy, and nutrient digestibility in Eimeria acervulina-challenged broilers

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of copper supplementation in diets varying in amino acid (AA) density on growth performance, apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), apparent ileal nutrient digestibility (AID), and plasma carotenoids in broilers infected with Eimeria acervulina. Ross 308 male broilers (480 total) were housed in battery cages and allotted to 8 experimental treatments in a factorial arrangement of 2 dietary AA densities [1.00% (LAA) or 1.20% (HAA) digestible Lys], 2 supplemental copper concentrations (zero or 116 mg/kg), and 2 E. acervulina infection states (uninfected or infected). Essential AA ratios relative to digestible Lys were similar in both the LAA and HAA diets, and copper was provided by 200 mg/kg of tribasic copper chloride (58% copper). Chicks received experimental diets from 2 to 21 d post hatch and 6 replicate cages of 10 birds per cage were assigned to each treatment. Broilers were inoculated with zero or 6.3 × 105 sporulated E. acervulina oocysts at 15 d and blood and ileal digesta were collected at 21 days. From 2 to 15 d, body weight gain and G:F of broilers were improved (P < 0.05) with increasing AA density, and an AA density × copper interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for feed intake. Eimeria infection reduced (P < 0.05) plasma carotenoids, growth performance, dietary AMEn, and AID of organic matter, nitrogen, and total AA. There were no interactive effects of dietary treatments with E. acervulina infection on broiler growth performance or dietary AMEn. An AA density × copper supplementation interaction was observed (P < 0.05) for AID of total AA, whereby copper supplementation increased AID of total AA for birds fed the LAA diet and decreased AID of total AA for birds fed the HAA diet. In summary, E. acervulina-induced reductions in nutrient digestibility were dependent on dietary copper and AA status, but changes in digestibility had minimal impact on growth performance of broilers during the E. acervulina infection period.

Copper and zinc sources and levels of zinc inclusion influence growth performance, tissue trace mineral content, and carcass yield of broiler chickens

“…Another reason may be improved efficiency of nutrient utilization as observed for Cu-supplemented diet (Arias and Koutsos, 2006; Rochell et al, 2017) or enhanced resistance to disease or stressors. The effect of Zn and Cu supplementation from the 2 sources on meat yield was similar to the effect that the sources and Zn levels had on growth performance.…”

Effect of standardized ileal digestible lysine and added copper on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fat quality of finishing pigs1

“…To our knowledge, the first research to evaluate dietary amino acid by TBCC interactions was completed by Rochell et al (2017) in broilers. They fed broilers diets containing two concentrations of digestible Lys (1.00 or 1.20%) and two levels of added Cu (0 or 200 mg/kg) from TBCC.…”

“…While Rochell et al (2017), to our knowledge, currently has the only published data to investigate TN); initial BW = 29.0 ± 0.1 kg] were used in a 120 d study; 8 pens per treatment and 26 pigs per pen.…”

“…Based on the results of Rochell et al (2017), Coble et al (2017) investigated the effects CuSO 4 and TBCC in diets containing high amounts of DDGS and wheat middlings formulated to 0.05% unit below the estimated SID Lys requirement in growing and finishing pigs. They observed that adding supplemental Cu in the form of TBCC or CuSO 4 improved growth into the finishing phase than previously reported Hastad, 2002.…”

“…Previous research evaluating the effect of SID Lys level on the response to added Cu in finishing pigs is not available. Rochell et al (2017) observed that broilers fed a low digestible Lys diet (1.00%) had greater improvements in ADFI and ADG with 200 mg/kg of added Cu from TBCC compared with broilers fed a high digestible Lys diet (1.20%). They also observed that nitrogen digestibility was increased in chicks fed the low Lys diet with TBCC, but not in the high Lys diet.…”