ABSTRACT

1. This study tested the hypothesis that the methyl-donor properties of betaine could reduce homocysteine concentrations, which has been recognised in a previous genetics study to be linked to bone quality. This was combined with phytase treatment, as phosphorus is critical for bone mineralisation.

2. Using a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, a total of 1920 Lohmann LSL-lite chickens housed as 24 replicates of 20 chickens were fed one of four diets containing dietary betaine (0 or 1000 mg/kg) and phytase (300 or 1000 FTU/kg) from one day old until end-of-lay. Blood and bone samples were collected at 45 and 70 weeks of age.

3. Hens fed betaine had lower plasma homocysteine level (P < 0.05), higher tibia breaking strength (P < 0.05) and higher tibia bone density (P < 0.05).

4. Egg production and quality was excellent throughout the study and were not affected by the dietary treatments.

5. The addition of dietary betaine was successful at reducing plasma homocysteine concentrations and improving bone strength in laying hens, which could be used as an intervention to alleviate welfare concerns.

摘要

1. 本研究检验了甜菜碱的甲基供体特性可以降低同型半胱氨酸浓度的假设，之前的遗传学研究已经认识到这与骨质量有关。这与植酸酶处理相结合，因为磷对骨矿化至关重要。

2. 使用 2 × 2 因子排列，总共 1920 只 Lohmann LSL-lite 鸡作为 20 只鸡的 24 个重复被喂食含有日粮甜菜碱（0 或 1000 mg/kg）和植酸酶（300 或 1000 FTU）的四种日粮中的一种/kg) 从一天大到产蛋结束。在 45 和 70 周龄时收集血液和骨骼样本。

3. 饲喂甜菜碱的母鸡血浆同型半胱氨酸水平较低（P < 0.05），胫骨断裂强度较高（P < 0.05）和胫骨骨密度较高（P < 0.05）。

4. 整个研究过程中产蛋量和质量都非常好，不受日粮处理的影响。

5. 添加日粮甜菜碱成功地降低了血浆同型半胱氨酸浓度并提高了蛋鸡的骨强度，这可用作缓解福利问题的干预措施。