Oral administration of β-alanine modifies carnosine concentrations in the muscles and brains of chickens

Carnosine, and its derivative anserine, are known to function as anti‐oxidants and putative neurotransmitters. They are especially rich in the breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis superficialis, MPS) of chickens. To clarify whether the concentrations of carnosine and anserine are altered by dietary management, the effect of oral administration of their constituent, β‐alanine (β‐Ala), was determined in the MPS and brains of chickens. Birds were orally administered β‐Ala (22 mmol/kg) twice a day for five consecutive days (from 2 to 6 days old). In the MPS, carnosine was increased by β‐Ala, whereas anserine and taurine were decreased. The concentrations of other free amino acids in the MPS were also modified by β‐Ala. In the brain, the oral administration of β‐Ala increased anserine and carnosine and decreased taurine, but caused no changes to other free amino acid concentrations. These results suggest that orally administered β‐Ala increases carnosine concentrations in both the MPS and brains of chickens. However, the effects of β‐Ala on other concentrations differ depending on the tissues.     

Effect of dietary histidine on contents of carnosine and anserine in muscles of broilers

Carnosine (β‐alanyl‐L‐histidine) and anserine (β‐alanyl‐1‐methyl‐L‐histidine) are dipeptides mainly found in skeletal muscle and brain of many vertebrates, and particularly high concentrations are observed in chicken pectoral muscles. It was reported that these peptides have many functions, such as antioxidant activity. In this study, we examined the effect of different levels of dietary histidine on carnosine and anserine contents in broiler muscles. The 14‐days‐old female Chunky strain broilers were given feeds containing three different levels of histidine; 67% (Low‐His), 100% (Control) and 200% (High‐His) of histidine requirement according to the NRC (1994). Chicks were fed experimental diets for 10 days. Both dipeptides in muscle were significantly decreased. In particular, carnosine was not detected at all in the Low‐His group and was significantly increased in the High‐His group. Both dipeptides were not detected in plasma. These results indicated the possibility to produce chicken meat with enhanced amount of these dipeptides by high histidine feeding.     

Antioxidation status and histidine dipeptides content in broiler blood and muscles depending on protein sources in feed

One‐day‐old chickens were fed mixtures containing different raw materials (fish by‐products meal, porcine blood cells meal, blood meal, wheat gluten, fodder yeast), as a source of histidine and β‐alanine – components of carnosine. Control birds were administered a feed mixture, in which soy bean meal was the main protein source. The bodyweight, feed consumption and conversion, antioxidant characteristics and histidine dipeptides content in blood and muscles, and also amino acid composition of chicken meat on day 34 post‐hatch were recorded. The best (p < 0.05) performance and feed conversion were observed in chickens fed mixture containing porcine blood cells meal. In blood plasma of control chickens, a significantly (p < 0.01) higher ability to scavenge DPPH radicals was found. However, the highest catalase activity in erythrocytes was determined in chickens fed mixtures with blood by‐products. Insignificant differences in both carnosine and anserine levels in plasma between treatments were noted. Breast muscles from control birds were characterized by lower activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) (p < 0.05; p < 0.01), than those from chickens fed blood by‐products. Improved ability to reduce ferric ions (FRAP) (p < 0.01) and carnosine content in meat from chickens fed blood cell meal were recorded. No direct relations between amino acids content in feed mixtures and in meat were observed.     

Dietary supplementation with carnosine improves antioxidant capacity and meat quality of finishing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary carnosine (β‐alanyl‐l ‐histidine) supplementation on antioxidant capacity and meat quality of pigs. 72 pigs approximately 60 kg were fed a corn‐ and soybean meal‐based diet supplemented with 0, 25, 50 or 100 mg carnosine per kg diet for 8 weeks. Carnosine supplementation did not affect growth performance and carcass traits of pigs. However, the addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet increased pH value of muscle at 45 min, 24 h and 48 h postmortem. It also decreased drip loss at 48 h postmortem and increased redness value of muscle at 45 min postmortem (p < 0.05). The addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet enhanced glycogen concentration and Ca‐ATPase activity at 24 and 48 h postmortem, and reduced malondialdehyde and carbonyl protein complexes concentrations in muscle at 24 h postmortem (p < 0.05). The addition of 100 mg carnosine per kg diet increased glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in plasma, liver or muscle, as well as SOD and GSH‐Px genes expression in muscle (p < 0.05). Taken together, these findings indicate that carnosine supplementation improves antioxidant capacity and meat quality of pigs.     

Concentrations of carnosine, anserine, L-histidine and 3-methyl histidine in boar spermatozoa and sheep milk by a modified HPLC method

The present study deals with the application of high-performance-liquid-chromatography (HPLC) method for a quantitative detection of carnosine, anserine, L-histidine and 3-methyl-L-histidine in biological material with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) post column derivatisation at the constant temperature of 50 degrees C. For this purpose, some mobile-phases were prepared with scalar acetonitrile concentrations. A complete separation of all molecules, particularly for carnosine and 3-methyl-L-histidine, was obtained with a solution of acetonitrile and 6mM hydrochloric acid with 0.48 M sodium chloride (5%:95% v/v). Post column derivatisation reaction at temperature of 50'C permitted to obtain an increase in sensibility of all molecules. This method has been utilised for detection of histidine dipeptides in boar spermatozoa and in sheep milk. Concentrations (mean +/- S.E. nmol/10(9) spermatozoa) of carnosine (0.96 +/- 0.14) and anserine (0.83 +/- 0.18) in boar spermatozoa were significantly lower than those of L-histidine (52.85 +/- 4.86) and 3-methyl-L-histidine (83.07 +/- 7.1). Positive correlation was found between carnosine and anserine contents (r = 0.740; p < 0.01) and between L-histidine and 3-methyl-L-histidine (r = 0.657; p < 0.01). All histidine dipeptides studied were also present in 40 samples of sheep milk. In a case of samples without unit-forming colonies (UFC) of Staphylococcus coagulase-positive, carnosine concentrations (9.17 +/- 0.89 nmol/ml) were higher than anserine (0.51 +/- 0.02 nmol/ml) and both were significantly lower in respect to L-histidine (49.51 +/- 6.48 nmol/ml) and 3-metyl-L-histidine (81.21 +/- 6.82 nmol/ml). A negative correlation was observed between carnosine milk levels (r = -0.773; p < 0.01) and UFC/ml of Staphylococcus coagulase-positive. In conclusion this very simple and fast method can be used to detect histidine dipeptides in biological compartments where their concentrations are very low.     

Increased broiler muscle carnosine and anserine following histidine supplementation of commercial broiler feed concentrate

Abstract

A feeding experiment involving histidine supplementation to broiler feed resulted in increased concentration of the histidine containing dipeptides anserine and carnosine in broiler breast muscle. Supplementation with 1 g histidine per kg feed gave a 64% increase in carnosine, and about 10% increase in anserine in the muscle. The standard broiler feed concentrate now in use in Norway seems to contain less histidine than what may be needed for optimal synthesis of carnosine and anserine. These dipeptides have important roles as antioxidants, pH buffering agents and anti-glycation agents. They may have important roles in meat for increasing its stability, shelf life and antioxidant capacity, and it might be speculated that broiler meat rich in anserine and carnosine in the future will be considered a type of functional food, having possible health-beneficial effects. Histidine supplementation of standard Norwegian broiler feed concentrate should be considered.     

Increased collagen III in culled chicken meat after feeding dietary wood charcoal and vinegar contributes to palatability and tenderness

We comprehensively evaluated meat quality in chickens fed a diet consisting of wood charcoal and vinegar (WCV) using food scientific and histological approaches. In culled hens, lipid and fatty acid in Musculus semimembranosus, cooking loss and sensory tests of whole thigh meat, and meat texture of breast meat were observed. In male broilers, cross section of M. semimembranosus was used for observations on muscle area, perimysium, non‐collagen total protein and total collagen content, and anti‐collagen I and III reactions. In frozen male broilers, conventional morphology of M. semimembranosus as well as chicken anti‐collagen III reaction to selected muscles of thigh meat and breast meat were compared between the control and WCV‐fed birds. Increased lipid and fatty acids, decreased cooking loss, high score in total evaluation for sensory test of thigh meat, and decreased meat texture values were observed for culled hens fed WCV. The higher values of muscle area, total collagen and collagen III were observed for broilers fed WCV. No perimysium collapse for M. semitendinosus or increased collagen III reactions of M. tensor fasciae latae, the flexor muscle group and M. pectoralis superficialis were observed for frozen muscles in the WCV group. These total results suggest that WCV produces palatable and tender meat by increasing collagen III.     

L-组氨酸对肉鸡生长性能、肌肉品质、血浆抗氧化能力和肌肉咪唑二肽含量的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加L-组氨酸对肉鸡生长性能、肌肉品质、血浆抗氧化能力和肌肉咪唑二肽含量的影响。选取体重相近、健康的1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡公雏300只,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复10只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂在基础饲粮中分别添加250、500、1 000、2 000 mg/kg L-组氨酸的试验饲粮。试验期42 d。结果表明:1)L-组氨酸降低了肉鸡生长后期(22~42日龄)的料重比,250和2 000 mg/kg添加组显著低于对照组(P0.05)。2)L-组氨酸对肌肉全净膛率、胸肌率、腿肌率、腹脂率、滴水损失、剪切力和pH无显著影响(P0.05)。3)L-组氨酸线性提高了42日龄血浆总抗氧化能力及谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶、总超氧化物歧化酶的活性(P0.05)。4)L-组氨酸增加了42日龄肌肉中肌肽和鹅肌肽含量,500、1 000和2 000 mg/kg添加组肌肽含量分别较对照组升高了40.58%、42.75%、33.70%(P0.05),1 000 mg/kg添加组鹅肌肽含量较对照组增加了37.80%(P0.05);对肌肉中肌肽和鹅肌肽含量进行二次曲线方程拟合表明,L-组氨酸添加量为1 276 mg/kg时,肌肉咪唑二肽含量最高。可见,饲粮添加L-组氨酸可提高肉鸡的饲料转化率,改善血浆抗氧化能力,增加肌肉中咪唑二肽含量。本试验条件下,饲粮添加1 000~2 000 mg/kg L-组氨酸较佳。从增加肌肉咪唑二肽含量考虑,饲粮L-组氨酸适宜添加量为1 276 mg/kg     

Assessment of interactions between glutamine and glucose on meat quality,AMPK, and glutamine concentrations in pectoralis major meat of broilers under acute heat stress

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of dietary glutamine and glucose on pectoralis major meat quality in broilers under acute heat stress. Three hundred 35-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acres) were randomly divided into 5 groups. Broilers in the positive control group were kept in a thermoneutral environment (23 ± 1°C, RH 45%–55%) and fed a basic diet, whereas the experimental (2 × 2) group was exposed to acute heat stress (34 ± 1°C, RH 65%–75%) for 12 h and fed the basic diet that contained glutamine (0 and 10 g/kg) and glucose (0 and 10 g/kg). Compared with the positive control group, acute heat stress without glutamine and glucose supplementation increased (P < 0.05) drip loss, L* values, and AMPK concentrations, but it decreased (P < 0.05) water-holding capacity, moisture, pH, a* values, b* values, and glutamine concentrations in pectoralis major meat of chickens. However, dietary glutamine (10 g/kg) increased (P < 0.05) water-holding capacity, moisture, pH, a* values, b* values, and glutamine concentrations, while it decreased (P < 0.05) drip loss, L* values, and AMPK concentrations in heat-stressed chicken pectoralis major meat. Dietary glucose (10 g/kg) increased (P < 0.05) water-holding capacity, moisture, pH, and a* and b* values, while it decreased (P < 0.05) L* values and AMPK concentrations of pectoralis major meat in chickens exposed to acute high temperature. There were significant interactions between glutamine and glucose in the water-holding capacity, pH values, AMPK, and glutamine levels of pectoralis major meat in the heat-stressed chickens. The above results suggest that the addition of glutamine and glucose in the diet is necessary for broilers during acute heat stress condition.     

Effects of slaughter age on the levels of free amino acids and dipeptides in fattening cattle

The effects of slaughter age, breed type and postmortem period were studied on the concentrations of free amino acids (FAA) and dipeptides (carnosine and anserine) in Longissimus dorsi muscle of beef. Slaughter age affected the levels of most FAA and dipeptides, and the concentrations of these compounds were significantly lower at 35 months of age than either 15 or 25 months of age. Slight increases were observed at 25 months compared with 15 months, but the differences were not significant except for a few FAA. These tendencies still remained when the concentrations were recalculated on the basis of protein. A significant breed effect was observed for taurine, carnosine and anserine. Almost all FAA were significantly increased during postmortem conditioning, but the level of each FAA fluctuated, and the fluctuations could not be explained statistically by slaughter age or breed differences.     

Effect of Anserine and Carnosine on Sperm Motility in the Japanese Quail

Sperm motility is considered as one of the most important traits for successful fertilization, but the motility of an ejaculated sperm decreases with time when stored as liquid. It is reported that seminal plasma serves as a nutrient rich medium for sperm and plays an important role in sperm motility and its fertilization ability. Several studies have reported that imidazole dipeptides such as anserine and carnosine affect sperm motility and its fertilization ability in mammals. In this study, we report the presence of anserine and carnosine in the male reproductive tract of the Japanese quail. Abundant levels of anserine (44.46 µM) and carnosine (41.75 µM) were detected in the testicular fluid and seminal plasma respectively using the amino acid analyzer; however, seminal plasma solely contained carnosine. When the ejaculates were incubated with anserine or carnosine, we found that both the dipeptides improve sperm motility parameters such as straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, average path velocity and amplitude of lateral head displacement after in vitro sperm storage at 15°C. These results indicate that imidazole dipeptides are present in the male reproductive tract and may improve sperm quality during in vitro sperm storage in the liquid states.     

Use of histidine dipeptides and myoglobin to monitor adulteration of cooked beef with meat from other species

A new high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was used to monitor the adulteration of cooked beef products with meat from other species. The ratio of the histidine dipeptides anserine and carnosine which are present in skeletal muscle, are so different between sheep, cattle, horse and kangaroo that detection of adulteration can be rapidly achieved by chromatography on a Partisil-10 SCX column with 0.2 M lithium formate, pH 2.9. To obtain a definitive identification of the adulterant it was necessary to also examine the electrophoretic mobility of myoglobin in sodium dodecylsulphate gels. One brand of "beefsteak" pie was found to actually be a mixture of mutton and beef.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on broiler performance, serum lipoprotein content, muscle fatty acid composition and meat quality during refrigerated storage

1. A trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration on performance parameters, carcase composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and fatty acid composition in leg and breast muscle and serum lipoprotein concentrations. 2. A total of 128 male chickens were allocated to 4 dietary treatments (0, 1, 2 and 3% CLA) and given a standard starter diet from d 1 to d 21 and a finisher diet from d 22 to d 42. Breast and leg muscles were stored at 4 degrees C for 1, 3 or 7 d. Fatty acid composition, TBARS and pH were determined in muscles. 3. Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were positively influenced by dietary CLA level. CLA isomer concentration in muscles increased linearly (P < 0.01) as dietary CLA increased. Addition of CLA to feeds significantly increased saturated fatty acid (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and decreased (P < 0.01) monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in leg and breast tissues. 4. Muscle pH decreased with duration of refrigerated storage. TBARS values were significantly (P < 0.01) influenced by dietary CLA and storage time. CLA increased total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, but reduced triglycerides in the plasma of broilers.     

Factors affecting ascorbic acid biosynthesis in chickens: III. Effect of dietary fluoride on L-gulonolactone oxidase activity and tissue ascorbic acid (AsA) concentration

The inconsistent beneficial responses to dietary ascorbic acid (AsA) may be due to dietary factors that alter biosynthesis or tissue turnover of AsA. It has been suggested on the basis of altered tissue AsA that dietary fluoride is a determinant of biosynthesis in chickens. Fluoride may enter the food chain of poultry via industrial contamination, feed ingredients and drinking water. The goal of this study was to ascertain whether dietary fluoride at 300 mg/kg influences l-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) activity in commercial meat-type chickens. The experimental diet was fed from day-old to 3 weeks and responses measured. Growth and feed conversion were not affected by fluoride in the diet. Dietary fluoride neither inhibited nor enhanced GLO activity nor did it increase or decrease AsA concentration in plasma, liver, kidney, adrenal gland and muscle (pectoralis major). Tissue AsA concentration in ascending order was adrenal > liver > kidney > pectoralis major > plasma. The results are consistent with that reported for the rat and calculations based on the results eliminate fluorine contamination for the inconsistent responses of immature chickens to dietary AsA.     

超微绿茶粉对良凤花鸡脂类代谢的影响

选用健康的1日龄商品代肉用良凤花鸡420只,公母各半,随机分为7组,每组3个重复,每个重复20只,试验鸡自由饮水、采食。试验预试期3 d,从第13天开始,以后每隔10 d逐只称重,并以组为单位计算耗料量。结果显示:添加绿茶粉对肉鸡生长性能没有不良影响,对肉鸡的料重比有降低趋势(P>0.05);可以显著降低肉鸡血清中的甘油三酯(TG)(P<0.05)、胆固醇(TC)(P<0.05)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)(P<0.05),显著升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)(P<0.05),显著降低肉鸡的腹脂率(P<0.05)、肝脂率(P<0.05),且对第二阶段与脂类代谢相关的血清生化指标的影响比第1阶段更显著。结果表明:在日粮中添加超微绿茶粉可在不影响肉鸡的生长性能的情况下降低体脂蓄积。     

芽孢乳杆菌对肉仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育和微生物菌群的影响

本试验旨在研究不同水平芽孢乳杆菌对内仔鸡生产性能、肠道发育及微生物菌群的影响.选取1日龄爱拔益加(AA)肉仔鸡2 400只,随机分为4组(每组6个重复,每个重复100只):对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂分别添加200、100和50 mg/kg芽孢乳杆菌的试验饲粮,试验期42 d.结果表明:1)饲粮添加200 mg/kg...     

Effects of Astragalus membranaceus on growth performance,carcass characteristics,and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted using 720 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens to evaluate the effects of Astragalus membranaceus root powder (AMP), Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and antioxidant enzymes, and metabolites of blood and liver in broiler chickens. The six dietary treatments included a control that was a corn–soybean meal basal diet; basal diet supplemented with 120 mg/kg antibiotic; 350 mg/kg APS; or 5000, 10,000, or 15,000 mg/kg diet of AMP. Supplementation of 10,000 mg/kg AMP increased average daily gain and feed conversion rate of broilers in grower period (22–42 d) and over the entire experiment compared to basic diet. Responses of antioxidant status to dietary APS and AMP varied depending on the age of the broilers. Beneficial effects of AMP on growth and feed utilization of broilers could be obtained by inclusion of AMP at the rate of 10,000 mg/kg diet.     

Effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of soy oil in chickens

1. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of taurine on intestinal morphology and utilisation of dietary fatty acids in chicken. One-day-old broilers chickens were fed with a maize- and soybean-based diet containing soy oil, and supplemented with taurine at either 0 or 0·5 g/kg. 2. Result showed that the total bile acid in blood and lipase activity in the small intestine were elevated in 3-week-old broilers given the taurine-supplemented diet. No differences were observed for total serum bile acid and lipase activity between the groups of 6-week-old broilers. 3. The development of the jejunum villus and ileum villus was inhibited, and the weight of jejunum and the relative height of intestinal mucosa were decreased in the chickens fed the taurine-supplemented diet. 4. The rate of diet fatty acid utilisation was not different between the groups of 3- and 6-week-old chickens. 5. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with taurine had no beneficial effect on intestinal morphology or utilisation of a soy oil diet in chickens.     

肉仔鸡饲粮中蛋氨酸和半胱氨酸与赖氨酸适宜比例的研究

本试验旨在研究饲粮中不同(蛋氨酸+半胱氨酸)/赖氨酸[( Met+ Cys)/Lys]比例对内仔鸡生长性能和经济效益的影响,探讨肉仔鸡饲粮中适宜的( Met+Cys)/Lys比例.选取1日龄罗斯308商品肉仔鸡3 600只,随机分为4个饲粮处理,( Met+ Cys)/Lys比例分别为0.64、0.68、0.72和0....     

日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体性能及肉品质的影响

研究日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长性能、胴体性能和肉品质的影响。360只1日龄Arbor Acres(AA)肉公雏,0~3周龄统一饲喂同种日粮(含锌86.25 mg/kg),于22日龄从中选取288只鸡按体重随机分成8个处理,每个处理分6个重复笼饲养,每个重复笼6只鸡。分别饲喂不添加锌的玉米-豆粕型基础日粮(对照组,含锌27.66 mg/kg)和在基础日粮中分别添加20、40、60、80、100、120和140 mg/kg锌(试剂级硫酸锌)日粮。试验期21 d。研究结果表明,日粮锌水平对4~6周龄肉仔鸡生长和胴体性能均无显著影响(P>0.10),但日粮中添加适宜水平的锌可显著降低肉仔鸡胸肌、腿肌的滴水损失和胸肌丙二醛含量,提高胸肌L^*值(P<0.10)。