Effect of 2-hydroxy-4- (methylthio) butanoic acid on intestinal redox state of broiler chickens

Objective:To research the effects of methionine sources methionine (DLM) , 2-hydroxy-4- (methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBA) and 2-hydroxy-4- (methylthio) butyrate calcium (HMTBA-Ca) on intestinal redox state of broiler chickens. Method:One hundred and five (105) broiler chickens (44g) were randomly divided into 7 groups (15 birds per group) , and each group was assigned to 1 of 3 treatments. Birds in each group were kept in three coops (5 broilers per coop) . All broilers were offered the same basal diet with added DLM, HMTBA and HMTBA -Ca at levels of 0 (control group) , 0.1% and 0.2%. Results:Compared with control group, basal diet with 0.1% HMTBA group and 0.1% HMTBA-Ca group could decrease the level of free radicals in whole blood significantly, enhance the activity of GSH/GSSG, T-AOC of the serum and tissues significantly, decrease the level of MDA significantly. Compared with control group, basal diet with 0.2% HMTBA group and 0.2% HMTBA-Ca group could enhance the activity of CAT of the serum and tissues significantly. Basal diet with added HMTBA, HMTBA-Ca could enhance the intestinal villus height (V) and the ratio of the villus height to recess depth of broilers (V/C) , decrease the intestinal recess depth (C) of broilers significantly. Compared with 0.1% DLM group, ROS, MDA levels were lower and V, V/C were higher in basal diet with 0.1% HMTBA group and 0.1% HMTBA-Ca group. Conclusion:Compared with DLM, HMTBA and HMTBA-Ca could better increase the intestinal antioxidative capacity, decrease the level of free radicals, steady intestinal redox state, promote the intestinal development healthily.