Effects of γ-aminobutyric acid on feed intake, growth performance and expression of related genes in growing lambs

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of rumen-protected γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on feed intake, growth performance and expression of related genes in growing lambs. A total of 24 lambs weaned at age of 50 days were divided into four block of six based on their BW, six lambs within a block were allocated to three pairs, which were then assigned randomly to three treatments with addition of rumen-protected GABA at levels of 0, 70 or 140 mg/day for 6 weeks. Dry matter intake was recorded weekly in three consecutive days, and BW was recorded every two weeks. At the end of the trial, four lambs from each group were slaughtered, and duodenum and ileum mucosa were obtained for measurement of mRNA abundance of GABA receptor and cholecystokinin receptor. Dry matter intake was higher ( P < 0.01) in the lambs fed 140 mg/day GABA than that in the control or 70 mg GABA-fed lambs. Average daily gain and nutrients digestibility were not different ( P > 0.05) among treatments. Lambs fed 140 mg/day GABA had higher mRNA abundance of GABA-B receptor ( P < 0.01) and lower mRNA abundance of cholecystokinin-2 receptor ( P < 0.01) in duodenum mucosa. Serum CCK content was lower ( P < 0.01) in lambs fed 140 mg/day GABA than that in control. It is indicated that GABA may enhance feed intake by regulating GABA-and cholecystokininrelated genes.

Improving effects of dietary rumen protected γ‐aminobutyric acid additive on apparent nutrient digestibility, growth performance and health status in heat‐stressed beef cattle

“…Similarly, Wang et al. () found that dietary addition of RP‐GABA (at levels of 70 or 140 mg/day for 6 weeks without heat stress) increased only DM intake in growing lambs. This might be somehow attributed to differences in animal type and stage of production (e.g., dairy or beef, lactating or nonlactating), RP‐GABA doses, experimental diet and environment temperature.…”

“…In addition, Cheng et al (2014) indicated that supplementation of RP-GABA (at levels of 40, 80 or 120 mg true GABA/kg BW with heat stress) had increased DM intake but no effect on feed efficiency and apparent digestibility of DM, organic matters, CP, NDF and ADF in heat-stressed lactating dairy cows. Similarly, Wang et al (2015) found that dietary addition of RP-GABA (at levels of 70 or 140 mg/day for 6 weeks without heat stress) increased only DM intake in growing lambs. This might be somehow attributed to differences in animal type and stage of production (e.g., dairy or beef, lactating or nonlactating), RP-GABA doses, experimental diet and environment temperature.…”

Effect of Glutamate Supplementation as a Feed Additive on Performance of Broiler Chickens.

“…Glutamate will be converted into GABA if broilers were under stress. According to Wang et al (2015) and Lener et al (2017) GABA served to reduce stress so that it can maintain appetite and increase the efficiency of the use of body nutrients in livestock. Thus giving glutamate to broiler chickens can reduce stress by increasing feed consumption.…”

Effect of Chromium Methionine Supplementation on the Lactation Performance, Hepatic Respiratory Rate and Antioxidative Capacity of Early-Lactating Dairy Cows

“…The samples were deposited into lithium-heparin-containing vacuum tubes (5 mL, Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ), centrifuged at 3000 × g for 15 min to collect the plasma, and frozen at -20°C for subsequent analysis. Plasma samples were analyzed using an Auto Analyzer 7020 instrument (Hitachi High-technologies Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with colorimetric commercial kits (Ningbo Medical System Biotechnology Co., Ltd.) to determine total protein, albumin, globulin, BUN, creatinine, glucose, non-esteri ed fatty acid (NEFA), β-hydroxybutyrate, triglyceride, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, insulin, glucagon, pyruvate, LDH and NADH, according to previously described methods [16]. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined using the ELISA method by Jiangsu MeiBiao Biological Technology Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, China [17].…”