SpringerLink
Log in

L-serine improves lipid profile, performance, carcass weight and intestinal parameters in feed restricted broiler chickens during the hot-dry season

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The study evaluated effects of L-serine on lipid profile, performance, carcass weight and small intestinal parameters in heat-stressed broiler chickens subjected to feed restriction. Broiler chickens were divided into four groups, comprising 30 each. Group 1, feed restriction (FR); Group 2, feed restriction + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (FR + L-serine); Group 3, ad libitum (AL); Group 4, ad libitum + L-serine (200 mg/kg) (AL + L-serine). L-serine was administered orally from days 1 to 14, and feed restriction was performed on days 7–14. Serum harvested from blood samples on days 21, 28 and 35 was evaluated for lipid profile. Feed and water intake, live weight gain, organ and carcass weight were measured. At 35 days old, broiler chickens (n = 7) per group were sacrificed to evaluate small intestinal morphology. Temperature-humidity index in the pen (30.88 ± 0.81) was above thermoneutral zone, indicating that chickens were subjected to heat stress. Concentrations of low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and total triglycerides were lower (p < 0.05), while higher concentration of high-density lipoprotein was recorded in L-serine groups than in the controls. Feed intake and live weight gain on day 35 in L-serine groups were higher (p < 0.05) than in controls. In L-serine groups, liver, spleen, pancreas and heart weight were higher, but abdominal fat was lower than in FR and AL groups. Villus height:crypt height ratio and area of villus surface were highest in L-serine groups than any other group. In conclusion, L-serine decreased low-density lipoprotein, increased feed intake, live weight, organ and carcass weight, villus height:crypt height ratio and villus surface area.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The corresponding author will provide the datasets generated and/or analysed during the current study on reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Abioja, M. O., Osinowo, O. A., Smith, O. F., Eruvbetine, D. and Abiona, J. A., 2011. Evaluation of cold water and vitamin C on broiler growth during hot-dry season in SW Nigeria. Archivos de zootecnia, 60(232), 1095-1103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ajakaiye, J., Pérez, B. and Mollineda, T., 2011. Effects of high temperature on production in layer chickens supplemented with vitamins C and E. Revista MVZ Córdoba, 16(1), 2283-2291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ajakaiye, J. J., Hassan, F. B. and Ayo, J. O., 2019. Rectal temperature and behaviour of layer hens administered with vitamins C and E and transported during the hot-dry season. Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, 4(3),100-107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Sultan, S. I., Abdel-Raheem, S. M., El-Ghareeb, W. R. and Mohamed, M. H., 2016. Comparative effects of using prebiotic, probiotic, synbiotic and acidifier on growth performance, intestinal microbiology and histomorphology of broiler chicks. Japanese Journal of Veterinary Research, 64(2), 187-195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aluwong, T., Kawu, M., Raji, M., Dzenda, T., Govwang, F., Sinkalu, V. and Ayo, J., 2013. Effect of yeast probiotic on growth, antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde concentration of broiler chickens. Antioxidants, 2(4), 326-339.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Asad, T., Mehmood, S., Mahmud, A., Basheer, A., Saleem, G., Jatoi, A. S., Hussain, J., Husnain, F. and Younis, M., 2019. Ameliorating effect of different anti-stressors on growth performance and immunophysiological responses in heat-stressed broilers chickens. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 39(2), 285-288.

  • Ashour, E. A., El-Hack, M. E. A., Shafi, M. E., Alghamdi, W. Y., Taha, A. E., Swelum, A. A., Tufarelli, V., Mulla, Z. S., El-Ghareeb, W. R. and El-Saadony, M. T., 2020. Impacts of green coffee powder supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, blood indices, meat quality and gut microbial loads in broilers. Agriculture, 10(10), 475. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10100457.

  • Ayo, J. O., Minka, N. S., Hassan, F. B. and Makeri, H. K., 2020. Effects of food deprivation and seasons on circadian rhythm in body temperature and bodyweight in Rouen ducks under tropical conditions. Journal of Stress Physiology and Biochemistry, 16(3), 51-60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bai, K., Huang, Q., Zhang, J., He, J., Zhang, L. and Wang, T., 2016. Supplemental effects of probiotic Bacillus subtlis fmbj on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 96(1), 74-82.

  • Bancroft, J. D. and Steven, A., 2008. Theory and practice of histological techniques. World Publishing Coporation, Virginia, USA, 726 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baziz, H. A., Geraert, P. A., Padilha, J. C. F. and Guillaumin, S., 1996. Chronic heat exposure enhances fat deposition and modifies muscle and fat partition in broiler carcasses. Poultry Science, 75(4), 505-513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bueno, J. P. R., de Mattos Nascimento, M. R. B., da Silva Martins, J. M., Marchini, C. F. P., Gotardo, L. R. M., de Sousa, G. M. R., Mundim, A. V., Guimaraes, E. C. and Rinaldi, F. P., 2017. Effect of age and cyclical heat stress on the serum biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 38(3), 1383–1392

  • da Silva, D. C. F., de Arruda, A. M. V. and Gonçalves, A. A., 2017. Quality characteristics of broiler chicken meat from free-range and industrial poultry system for the consumers. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 54(7), 1818-1826.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Donkoh, A., 1989. Ambient temperature: a factor affecting performance and physiological response of broiler chickens. International Journal of Biometeorology, 33(4), 259-265.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dzenda, T., Ayo, J. O., Lakpini, C. A. M. and Adelaiye, A. B., 2013. Seasonal, sex and liveweight variations in feed and water consumptions of adult captive African Giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse - 1840) kept individually in cages. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 97, 465-474.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ebeid, T. A., Fathi, M. M., Al-Homidan, I., Ibrahim, Z. H. and Al-Sagan, A. A., 2019. Effect of dietary probiotics and stocking density on carcass traits, meat quality, microbial populations and ileal histomorphology in broilers under hot-climate conditions. Animal Production Science, 59(9),1711-1719.

  • Ebeid, T. A., Al-Homidan, I. H. and Fathi, M. M., 2021. Physiological and immunological benefits of probiotics and their impacts in poultry productivity. World's Poultry Science Journal, 77(4), 883-899.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebeid, T. A., Tůmová, E., Al-Homidan, I. H., Ketta, M. and Chodová, D., 2022. Recent advances in the role of feed restriction in poultry productivity: part I- performance, gut development, microbiota and immune response. World's Poultry Science Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2022.2097149.

  • Egbuniwe, I. C., Ayo, J. O. and Ocheja, O. B., 2018. Betaine and ascorbic acid modulate indoor behaviour and some performance indicators of broiler chickens in response to hot-dry season. Journal of Thermal Biology, 76, 38- 44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fontana, E. A., Weaver Jr, W. D., Watkins, B. A. and Denbow, D. M., 1992. Effect of early feed restriction on growth, feed conversion, and mortality in broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 71(8), 1296-1305.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hanson, P., Weickert, M. O. and Barber, T. M., 2020. Obesity: Novel and unusual predisposing factors. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042018820922018.

  • He, J., Zheng, H., Pan, D., Liu, T., Sun, Y., Cao, J., Wu, Z. and Zeng, X., 2018. Effects of ageing on fat deposition and meat quality in Sheldrake duck. Poultry Science, 97(6), 2005-2010.

  • Holik, V., 2009. Management of laying hens to minimize heat stress. Lohmann Information, 44, 16-29.

  • Hosseini-Vashan, S. J., Safdari-Rostamabad, M., Piray, A. H. and Sarir, H., 2020. The growth performance, plasma biochemistry indices, immune system, antioxidant status, and intestinal morphology of heat-stressed broiler chickens fed grape (Vitis vinifera) pomace. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 259, 114343.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang, S., Mohammed, A. A., Jacobs, J. A., Cramer, T. A. and Cheng, H. W., 2020. Effect of synbiotics on thyroid hormones, intestinal histomorphology, and heat shock protein 70 expression in broiler chickens reared under cyclic heat stress. Poultry Science, 99(1), 142-150.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kalavathy, R., Abdullah, N., Jalaludin, S. and Ho, Y. W., 2003. Effects of Lactobacillus cultures on growth performance, abdominal fat deposition, serum lipids and weight of organs of broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 44(1), 139-144.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamel, N. N., Ahmed, A. M., Mehaisen, G. M., Mashaly, M. M. and Abass, A. O., 2017. Depression of leucocyte protein synthesis, immune function and growth performance induced by high environmental temperature in broiler chickens. International Journal of Biometeorology, 61(9), 1637-1645.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khajavi, M., Rahimi, S., Hassan, Z. M., Kamali, M. A. and Mousavi, T. (2003). Effect of feed restriction early in life on humoral and cellular immunity of two commercial broiler strains under heat stress conditions. British Poultry Science, 44(3), 490-497.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kratz, M., 2005. Dietary cholesterol, atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. In: von Eckardstein A. (eds) Atherosclerosis: Diet and drugs. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. 170, 195–213

  • Ma, E. H., Bantug, G., Griss, T., Condotta, S., Johnson, R. M., Samborska, B., Balmer, M. L. and Verway, M. J., 2017. Serine is an essential metabolite for effector T-cell expansion. Cell Metabolism, 25(2), 345-357.

  • Maharjan, P., Martinez, D. A., Weil, J., Suesuttajit, N., Umberson, C., Mullenix, G., Hilton, K. M., Beitia, A. and Coon, C. N., 2021. Physiological growth trend of current meat broilers and dietary protein and energy management approaches for sustainable broiler production. Animal, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2021.100284.

  • Metcalf, J. S., Dunlop, R. A., Powell, J. T., Banack, S. A. and Cox, P. A., 2018. L-Serine: A naturally-occurring amino acid with therapeutic potential. Neurotoxicity Research, 33(1), 213-221.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milićević, D., Vranić, D., Mašić, Z., Parunović, N., Trbović, D., Nedeljković-Trailović, J. and Petrović, Z., 2014. The role of total fats, saturated/unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol content in chicken meat as cardiovascular risk factors. Lipids in Health and Disease, 13(1), 1-12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammed, A. A., Jacobs, J. A., Murugesan, G. R. and Cheng, H. W., 2018. Effect of dietary synbiotic supplement on behavioural patterns and growth performance of broiler chickens reared under heat stress. Poultry Science, 97(4), 1101-1108.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muniz, E. C., Fascina, V. B., Pires, P. P., Carrijo, A. S. and Guimarães, E. B., 2006. Histomorphology of bursa of Fabricius: Effects of stock densities on commercial broilers. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 8(4), 217-220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, D. C. and Cox, M. A., 2000. Lehninger Principle of Biochemistry 3rd Ed worth publisher. New York, USA,16, 567–597.

  • Nyoni, N. M. B. Grab, S. and Archer, E. R. M., 2018. Heat stress and chickens: Climate risk effects on rural poultry farming in low-income countries, Climate and Development, 11(1), 83-90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogbuagu, N. E., Aluwong, T., Ayo, J. O. and Sumanu, V. O., 2018. Effect of fisetin and probiotic supplementation on erythrocyte osmotic fragility, malondialdehyde concentration and superoxide dismutase activity in broiler chickens exposed to heat stress. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 18 (12), 1895-1900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olugbenga, O. O., Adebola, S. S., Friday, A. D., Mercy, A. T. and Keniokpo, O. S., 2022. Effect of dietary tomato powder on growth performance and blood characteristics of heat-stressed broiler chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 54(1), 1-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orso, C., Moraes, M. L., Aristimunha, P. C., Della, M. P., Butzen, M. F., Krás, R. V., Ledur, V. S. Gava, D. McMaus, C. C. and Ribeiro, A. M. L., 2019. Effect of early feed restriction programs and genetic strain on humoral immune response production in broiler chickens. Poultry science, 98(1), 172-178.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Purswell, J. L., Dozier III, W. A., Olanrewaju, H. A., Davis, J. D., **n, H. and Gates, R. S., 2012. Effect of temperature-humidity index on live performance in broiler chickens grown from 49 to 63 days of age. In 2012 IX International Livestock Environment Symposium (ILES IX). American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Pp. 3. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.41619.

  • Ramnath, V., Rekha, P. S. and Sujatha, K. S., 2008. Amelioration of heat stress-induced disturbances of antioxidant defence system in chickens by Brahma rasyana. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 5(1), 77-84.

  • Shakeri, M., Cottrell, J. J., Wilkinson, S., Le, H. H., Suleria, H. A., Warner, R. D. and Dunshea, F. R., 2019. Growth performance and characterization of meat quality of broiler chickens supplemented with betaine and antioxidants under cyclic heat stress. Antioxidants, 8(9), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8090336.

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Shokryazdan, P., Jahromi, M. F., Liang, B. J., Ramasamy, K. and Ho, Y. W., 2017. Effect of a Lactobacillus salivarius mixture on performance, intestinal health and serum lipids of broiler chickens. PloS One, 12(5), e0175959. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175959.

  • Sim, W. C., Yin, H. Q., Choi, H. S., Choi, Y. J., Kwak, H. C., Kim, S. K. and Lee, B. H., 2015. L-serine supplementation attenuates alcoholic fatty liver by enhancing homocysteine metabolism in mice and rats. The Journal of Nutrition, 145(2), 260-267.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sinkalu, V. O., Ayo, J. O., Hambolu, J. O., Adelaiye, A. B., Zakari, F. O. and Aluwong, T., 2020. Changes in feed consumption and water intake among broiler chickens subjected to melatonin treatment during the hot-dry season. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 52, 717-723.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solis de los Santos, F., Tellez, G., Farnell, M. B., Balog, J. M., Anthony, N. B., Pavlidi, H. O. and Donoghue, A. M., 2005. Hypobaric hypoxia in ascites resistant and susceptible broiler genetic lines influences gut morphology. Poultry Science, 84(9), 1495–1498. https://doi.org/10.1093/ps/84.9.1495.

  • Song, J., **ao, K., Ke, Y. L., Jiao, L. F., Hu, C. H., Diao, Q. Y., Shi, B. and Zou, X. T., 2014. Effect of a probiotic mixture on intestinal microflora, morphology, and barrier integrity of broilers subjected to heat stress. Poultry Science, 93(3), 581–588.

  • Sumanu, V. O., Aluwong, T., Ayo, J. O. and Ogbuagu, N. E., 2019. Evaluation of changes in tonic immobility, vigilance, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase in broiler chickens administered fisetin and probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and exposed to heat stress. Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research, 31, 36-42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sumanu, V. O., Aluwong, T., Ayo, J. O. and Ogbuagu, N. E., 2021a. Effect of probiotic and fisetin supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and small intestinal morphology in broiler chickens. Open Veterinary Science, 2(1), 23-32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sumanu, V. O., Aluwong, T., Ayo, J. O., Ogbuagu, N. E. and Nevels, M., 2021b. Cloacal temperature responses of broiler chickens administered with fisetin and probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and exposed to heat stress. Experimental Results, 2. https://doi.org/10.1017/exp.2021b.15.

  • Tao, X. and **n, H., 2003. Acute synergistic effect of air temperature, humidity and velocity on homeostasis of market-size broilers. Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 46(2), 491-497.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tumova, E., Chodová, D., Volek, Z., Ebeid, T. A., Ketta, M. and Skřivanová, V., 2022a. A comparative study on the effect of quantitative feed restriction in males and females of broiler chickens, rabbits and nutrias. I. Performance and carcass composition. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 67(2), 47-54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tumova, E., Chodová, D., Volek, Z., Ebeid, T. A., Ketta, M. and Skřivanová, V., 2022b. A comparative study on the effect of quantitative feed restriction in males and females of broiler chickens, rabbits and nutrias. II. Meat quality. Czech Journal of Animal Science, 67(2), 55-64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vinoth, A., Thirunalasundari, T., Tharian, J. A., Shanmugam, M. and Rajkumar, U., 2015. Effect of thermal manipulation during embryogenesis on liver heat-shock protein expression in chronic heat-stressed coloured broiler chickens. Journal of Thermal Biology, 53, 162-171.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, X. Q., Zeng, F., Huang, X. F., Yang, H. Q., Wang, L., Shi, Y. C., Zhang, Z. and Lin, S., 2020. Risperidone stimulates food intake and induces body weight gain via the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus 5‐HT2c receptor-NPY pathway. CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics, 26(5), 558-566.

  • Washburn, K. W., Peavey, R. and Renwick, G. M.,1980. Relationship of strain variation and feed restriction to variation in blood pressure and response to heat stress. Poultry Science, 59(11), 2586-2588.

  • Yan, C., **ao, J., Chen, D., Turner, S. P., Li, Z., Liu, H., Liu, W., Liu, J., Chen, S. and Zhao, X., 2021. Feed restriction-induced changes in behaviour, corticosterone, and microbial programming in slow-and fast-growing chicken breeds. Animals 11, 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010141.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, H., Hua, R., Zhang, B., Zhang, X., Yang, H. and Zhou, X., 2018. Serine alleviates dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis and regulates the gut microbiota in mice. Frontiers in Microbiology, 3062. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.03062.

  • Zhou, X., Zhang, Y., He, L., Wan, D., Liu, G., Wu, X. and Yin, Y., 2017. Serine prevents LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier damage via p53-dependent glutathione synthesis and AMPK activation. Journal of Functional Foods, 39, 225-232.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X., He, L., Zuo, S., Zhang, Y., Wan, D., Long, C., Huang, P., Wu, X., Wu, C., Liu, G. and Yin, Y., 2018a. Serine prevented high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress by activating AMPK and epigenetically modulating the expression of glutathione synthesis-related genes. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular Basis of Disease, 1864(2), 488-498.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, X., Zhang, H., He, L., Wu, X. and Yin, Y., 2018b. Long-term L-serine administration reduces food intake and improves oxidative stress and Sirt1/NFκB signalling in the hypothalamus of aging mice. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 476. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00476.

  • Zhou, J. M., Qiu, K., Wang, J., Zhang, H. J., Qi, G. H. and Wu, S. G., 2021. Effect of dietary serine supplementation on performance, egg quality, serum indices, and ileal mucosal immunity in laying hens fed a low crude protein diet. Poultry Science, 100(12), 101465.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810222, Nigeria

    Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu, Joseph Olusegun Ayo & Tagang Aluwong

  2. Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 810222, Nigeria

    Maryam Baraka Akor-Dewu

Authors
  1. Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joseph Olusegun Ayo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tagang Aluwong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Maryam Baraka Akor-Dewu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ngozi Ejum Ogbuagu.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

The experiment was approved by the Ahmadu Bello University Committee on Animal Use and Care, with Reference Number: ABUCAUC/2021/028.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ogbuagu, N.E., Ayo, J.O., Aluwong, T. et al. L-serine improves lipid profile, performance, carcass weight and intestinal parameters in feed restricted broiler chickens during the hot-dry season. Trop Anim Health Prod 54, 324 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03318-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-022-03318-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation