Interactive effects of threonine levels and protein source on growth performance and carcass traits, gut morphology, ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids, and immunity in broilers

Abstract

An experiment was executed to test the hypothesis that supplementation of dietary threonine ( d-Thr ), above NRC recommendation to diets containing poorly digestible protein source ( PS ) may compensate its detrimental effects on overall performance of broilers. In total, nine hundred 1-day-old mixed sex broilers (Ross-308) were randomly distributed over 6 (2 × 3) experimental diets comprising 5 replicates of 30 broilers each for 35 d. The experimental diets contain either soybean meal ( SBM ) or canola meal ( CM ) with 3 levels (100, 110, and 120% of NRC recommendation) of d-Thr. During the course of the trial (0 to 35 D), interactions ( P < 0.05) between PS and d-Thr were observed for feed intake ( FI ), body weight gain ( BWG ), feed conversion ratio ( FCR ), carcass, and gut health parameters. The broilers fed recommended level (100%) of d-Thr had 7 and 5% poorer FCR compared with those fed diets with 110 and 120% d-Thr, respectively. For villus height ( VH ), an interaction ( P = 0.007) was found between PS and d-Thr level. Broilers consuming SBM diets had 22% longer villi, 10% deeper crypts, and 30% greater VH to crypt depth ratio ( VCR ) compared to those fed CM. The broilers fed 110% d-Thr diets had 9% lower crypt depth ( CD ) and 15% greater VCR compared with those fed diets containing NRC recommended levels. CM resulted in 9% lower protein digestibility with lower ( P < 0.05) of some AA, whereas it was improved by 7% in broilers fed 120% d-Thr supplemented diets. The bursa and spleen weights were positively affected ( P < 0.001) by PS. Threonine supplementation (10%) resulted in 25% greater thymus, 18% heavier bursa, and 30% greater infectious bursal disease titer. In conclusion, supplementation of d-Thr, above NRC recommendation, resulted in a better growth performance and carcass traits, improved ileal digestibility of protein and amino acids, better gut health, and immunity in broilers.

Effect of Dietary L-Threonine and Toxin Binder on Performance, Blood Parameters, and Immune Response of Broilers Exposed to Aflatoxin B1

“…L-Threonine (L-Thr) is often the third limiting amino acid in corn–soybean meal-based diets, and plays a vital role in many areas, including gut health, morphology, and function, the optimal utilization of total sulfur amino acids and lysine (Lys), immunity, carcass traits, the synthesis of structural proteins, antibody, uric acid, and pancreatic enzymes, the maintenance of intestinal barrier, and mucin synthesis [ 31 ]. The mucus layer protects the intestinal mucosa, which contains mucins, heavyweight glycoproteins that require L-Thr for the synthesis.…”

Importance of feed efficiency for sustainable intensification of chicken meat production: implications and role for amino acids, feed enzymes and organic trace minerals

“…Recently, Akbari Moghaddam Kakhki et al (2019) estimated 7.89 and 12.1 g/kg as optimum digestible threonine and lysine concentration from 1 to 10 d of age, corresponding to a ratio of 65%. Conversely, Ahmed et al (2020) showed that a 10% increase in digestible threonine compared to the NRC (1994) values (threonine: lysine = 0.74 and 0.77 in starter and grower phase, respectively) significantly improved FE and other important aspects including carcase traits, gut health and immunity-related parameters.…”

Effects of Thermally Oxidized Vegetable Oil on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics, Gut Morphology, Nutrients Utilization, Serum Cholesterol and Meat Fatty Acid Profile in Broilers

“…The decreased growth performance can also be attributed to reduce VH that exerts negative effects on the nutrients absorption by reducing the surface area available for digestive enzymes secretions in broilers [32]. This reduction in VH can also be due to the toxic properties of the oxidation products that cause destruction to the brush border membranes of the intestine.…”