Dietary L-citrulline supplementation modulates nitric oxide synthesis and anti-oxidant status of laying hens during summer season.

ABSTRACT: Background:L-citrulline (L-Cit), a non-protein amino acid, has been implicated in several physiological functions including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and hypothermic roles, however, there is a paucity of information with regards to its potential in poultry production. Methods:This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary L-Cit supplementation on the production performance, nitric oxide production, and antioxidant status of laying hens during summer period. Hy-Line Brown laying hens (n?=?288, 34?weeks old) were allotted to four treatment, 6 replicates of 12 chickens each. Dietary treatments of control (basal diets), 0.25%, 0.50% and 1.00% L-Cit supplementation were fed to chickens for eight (8) weeks. Production performance, free amino acid profiles, nitric oxide production, and antioxidant properties were measured. Blood samples were collected at the 4th and 8th weeks of the experiment. Results:Air temperature monitoring indicated an average daily minimum and maximum temperatures of 25.02?°C and 31.01?°C respectively. Dietary supplementation with L-Cit did not influence (P?>?0.05) the production performance, and rectal temperature of laying hens. Egg shape index was increased (P?

SUBMITTER: Uyanga VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7549236 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature