Can the Fine Wheat Bran be a Betaine Source in Poultry Diets?

Somensi, M. LMonteiro, A. N. T. RMarx, F. RBockor, LVieira, M. SKessler, A. M

The effect of fine wheat bran (FWB) as a methyl donor source on performance, metabolism, body composition and blood traits of growing broilers was studied. Three hundred and twenty broilers from eight to 28 d of age, distributed in a randomized block design, with five treatments and eight replicates of eight animals each were used. The experimental diets were: NC, formulated with 72% of the Met+Cys requirement; Met, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys equivalents by DL-methionine addition; Bet, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys equivalents by anhydrous betaine addition; Fwb-, formulated with 72% of the Met+Cys requirement and 20% FWB; and Fwb+, formulated with 85% of the Met+Cys requirement and 20% FWB. Feed intake was reduced (p 0.05) by FWB inclusion but the feed conversion ratio was the same (p>0.05) between the positive control diets. Supplementation of DL-methionine and anhydrous betaine showed the same (p>0.05) metabolizability of nutrients. Treatments with higher DL-methionine levels (Met and Fwb+) promoted more weight of feathers (p 0.05). Animals fed with FWB showed the lowest (p 0.05) body gains. In conclusion, FWB inclusion did not promote methyl radicals supply.(AU)

1. methionine
2. Byproduct
3. methyl groups
4. feather synthesis
5. nutrition