Diet, total plasma homocysteine concentrations and mortality rates in broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to determine if total plasma homocysteine (HCY) concentrations and mortality rates due to ascites syndrome and (AS) sudden death syndrome (SDS) in broiler chickens could be lowered by diet. Elevated plasma HCY is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in huma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCanadian journal of animal science Vol. 83; no. 3; pp. 601 - 604
Main Author Samuels, S.E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.09.2003
Subjects
ascites
betaine
broiler chickens
death
diet
folic acid
homocysteine
humans
mortality
risk factors
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Summary:The aim of this study was to determine if total plasma homocysteine (HCY) concentrations and mortality rates due to ascites syndrome and (AS) sudden death syndrome (SDS) in broiler chickens could be lowered by diet. Elevated plasma HCY is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in humans. A total of 828 day-old male broiler chickens (Arbor Acre) were fed, for 6 wk, either a basal practical diet or one supplemented with excess vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid and betaine to stimulate the degradation of HCY. The supplemented diet decreased plasma HCY by 17% (P < 0.05; n = 16 per diet). Total mortality due to AS and SDS was 18% lower in the supplemented diet but this difference was not statistically significant.
Bibliography:http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/aic-journals/cjas.html
ISSN:0008-3984
1918-1825
DOI:10.4141/A02-029