Influences of total sulfur amino acids and photoperiod on growth, carcass traits, blood parameters, meat quality and cecal microbial load of broilers

Diaa E Abou-Kassem; Mohamed M El-Abasy; Muhammad S Al-Harbi; Salah Abol-Ela; Heba M Salem; Amira M El-Tahan; Mohamed T El-Saadony; Mohamed E Abd El-Hack; Elwy A Ashour

doi:10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.063

Influences of total sulfur amino acids and photoperiod on growth, carcass traits, blood parameters, meat quality and cecal microbial load of broilers

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2022 Mar;29(3):1683-1693. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.10.063. Epub 2021 Oct 30.

Authors

Diaa E Abou-Kassem¹, Mohamed M El-Abasy², Muhammad S Al-Harbi³, Salah Abol-Ela², Heba M Salem⁴, Amira M El-Tahan⁵, Mohamed T El-Saadony⁶, Mohamed E Abd El-Hack², Elwy A Ashour²

Affiliations

¹ Animal and Poultry Production Technology Department, Faculty of Technology and Development, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
² Poultry Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44511, Egypt.
³ Department of chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944. Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Poultry Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, 12211, Egypt.
⁵ Plant Production Department, Arid Lands Cultivation Research Institute, The City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications, SRTA-City. Borg El Arab, Alexandria, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University, 44511 Zagazig, Egypt.

Abstract

The current study aimed to discuss the impact of total sulfur amino acids (TSAA) %, photoperiod, and their interaction on growth performance, carcass and blood indices of broiler chicks. A total of 300 unsexed IR broiler chicks one-week old were used in a factorial arrangement (2 × 3), including two photoperiod systems (22 L: 2 D and 16 L: 8 D) and three experimental rations having three grades of Met + Cyst (TSAA) (70%, 85% and 100% of digestible lysine in starter and finisher diets). Results revealed that the higher LBW and BWG were noticed in birds given TSAA at grades of 1.1 or 0.90 % under 22L: 2D photoperiod at five weeks of age and the whole experimental period (1-5 weeks of age), respectively. The highest live body weight (LBW (and body weight gain (BWG) were recorded in birds received 1.1% TSAA under the long photoperiod compared to the control and the other groups. Birds fed 1.3% TSAA consumed more feed than the other groups. The opposite was found in birds fed 1.1% TSAA under the short photoperiod (16L: 8D). The best feed conversion (FCR) was detected by birds fed 1.1% and 0.90% TSAA diets during the whole experimental period. All carcass traits studied were significantly influenced by TSAA levels, except for the relative weights of abdominal fat and spleen. The interaction effect on was significant on all carcass traits except spleen %. In conclusion, the addition of TSAA at level 1.1 and 0.9 % to starter and finisher diets under a long photoperiod regime improved broiler's performance, carcass traits, and blood parameters studied.

Keywords: Broiler chicks; Microbial load; Performance; Photoperiod; Total sulfur amino acid.