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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #31943
Title: EFFECT OF FEEDING N-METHYL-D, 1-ASPARTIC ACID (NMA) ON THE GROWTH AND BODY COMPOSITION OF BROILER CHICKENS

Author
item HARTER-DENNIS J - UNIV OF MD EASTERN SHORE
item ESTIENNE M - UNIV OF MD EASTERN SHORE
item McMurtry, John

Submitted to: Poultry Science Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A trial was conducted to determine the effects of feeding NMA (a potent analog of the neuroactive amino acids glutamine and aspartate) on the growth and carcass composition of commercial broilers. Graded levels of NMA were fed to female broilers from 28-49 days of age. Blood samples were taken weekly to determine serum insulin, IGF-I, T3 and T4 levels. Percent abdominal fat pad (ABF), % yield as well as % water, crude protein fat and ash of the carcass were determined The abdominal fat pads were analyzed for lipid and DNA content. Weight gain, feed consumption and % yield were not significantly affected by treatment Gain/feed ratio was improved by NMA with a maximum improvement of 5.4% in birds fed 375 ppm. NMA produced a quadratic response in reducing % ABF with a maximum decrease of 12.6% in birds fed 250 ppm. NMA reduced % shell fat with a maximum decrease of 12.3% in birds fed 250 ppm. The total ABF adipocyte number was not affected by treatment but the lipid/DNA ratio was reduced 11.7%, suggesting a decrease in cell volume. Feeding NMA did not produce any detectable effects on IGF-I, T3, T4, or insulin levels, however, age differences were detected.