Biochemical effects of low crude protein diets supplemented with varying methionine concentrations

Abstract

The research investigated the consequences of decreased crude protein (CP) and methionine supplementation in diets on certain biochemical indices in broiler chicks. A total number of 135 newly hatched chicks were allotted to nine dietary treatments, 3 replicates of five birds each. Groups A-C served as the control with 20% CP and 0.6, 1.0 and 1.4% methionine supplementation. Groups D-F and G-I were placed on 17 and 14% CP diets respectively, with similar methionine supplementation as the control groups. The experiment lasted six weeks. Vital biochemical parameters studied include alkaline phosphatase, aminotransferases, superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and organ-body weight ratios. Findings from the study indicated that there was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in alkaline phosphatase activities of tissues of birds placed on 17 and 14% CP as correlated with birds on the control. MDA concentration was significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the liver, kidney, and heart of broiler chicks fed diets with 14 and 17% CP at all methionine levels investigated when compared to control (20% CP). The low crude protein with varying methionine concentrations in broiler chick diets had no negative impact on birds’ vital organs relative to whole body weight. These findings thus concluded that the functions and not size of the organs studied in broiler chicks were adversely affected at CP levels below 20%.