Effect of Supplementing Higher Level of Dietary L-Arginine on Serum Parameters in Broiler Chicken

Abstract

IntroductionThe excess fat presence in broiler chicken is undesirable due to its effect on reducing feed efficiency and a major human health concern. Studies revealed that arginine supplementation reduced carcass fat content and increased meat production in poultry which were evaluated through serum lipid profile. Arginine is essential for productive performance in broilers where inclusion of L-arginine at the level of 2.5 % resulted in a significant increase in total protein concentration in serum [1]. Moreover, the inclusion of L-arginine in broiler chicken diets at the level of 250 % of their requirement from 1 to 49 days of age significantly reduced the concentration of triglyceride and total cholesterol and improved in serum urea and uric acid at 49 days of age. Regarding total cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipids, these levels were significantly decreased in chicks produced from eggs injected with L-arginine [2]. In addition to that [3] reported that 21 days old broiler chicken diets were supplemented with L-arginine at the levels of 0.25 %, 0.50 %, or 1.00 % for 3 weeks reduced plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations. Levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine did not differ between groups, while blood urea nitrogen in the experimental group in which diet supplemented with 10 % Larginine was lower than other groups on day 0-10 [4]. In addition to that 0.25 % Larginine supplementation in the diets of broiler chickens reduced the blood plasma, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations [5]. Recent evidences about argnine supplementation were reported by [6] that lowered total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the hens supplemented with 8.5 mg Larginine / kg diet than those of hens in the 0 mg L-arginine / kg diet. Hence, the study was designed and evaluated by supplementing different levels of arginine on serum biochemical parameters in broiler chicks.