The effect of betaine on water salinity tolerance in broiler chicks

Abstract

This research tried to examine the effect of exogenous betaine as an osmoprotectant in broiler chicks under water salinity stress. An in vivo CRD experiment, in factorial arrangement of dietary betaine supplementation (0.000, 0.075, 0.150 and 0.225%) and levels of water TDS (375, 1375 and 2375 mg L-1) was investigated on 576 day-old male chicks which were distributed in four replicates. In the first 10 days they were raised without added betaine and TDS of their water was 375 mg L-1. The main experiment started at 11 days after unified the body weight mean of all floor pens. Betaine decreased packed cell volume (p<0.05). Water consumption (28 and 42 days) and excreta moisture (28 days) were increased by elevating the level of water salinity (p<0.01). Interaction between dietary betaine and saline water were significant on plasma osmolarity at 28 days and epithelia osmolarity of duodenum. Epithelia osmolarity was decreased from duodenum to ileum. It seems that body homeostatic regulation system defends against changes of blood osmotic pressure parameters and increased total volume of blood. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.