www.IndianJournals.com Members Copy, Not for Commercial Sale Downloaded From IP - 59.90.187.108 on dated 12-Jun-2015 mlSsm^ Indian Journal of ri$M?7 Animal Nutrition N -sie-'' i/wrt communication EFFECT OF METHIONINE AND CHOLINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS AND ORGAN WEIGHTS IN BROILERS B. K. Swain*, T. S. Johri and B. B. Dash Central Avian Research Institute, hatnagar-243 122, India (Received 5 March, 2005) ABSTRACT A biological trial was conducted in broilers from day 1 to 6 week of age. Twelve experimental diets were prepared with 3 levels of choline (0,1000,2000 mg/kg) and 4 levels of methionine (0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45%) supplemented to a basal diet containing 22% CP, 2900 Kcal ME/kg, 1300 mg choline/kg and 0.36%o methionine in a 3x4 factorial manner. Serum cholesterol concentration was highest (PO.05) in chicks fed diet supplemented with 2000 mg choline/kg and 0.3% methionine. Phospholipid concentration was high (P<0.05) at 2000 mg choline/kg and 0.45% methionine. The relative weight of organs remained unaffected except the weight of bursa of fabricius which was increased (PO.05) at 0.3% supplemental methionine. Increase in dietary concentration of choline could elevate the serum levels of cholesterol and phospholipid whereas increase in methionine content in the diet could increase the serum phospho- lipid content and weight of bursa. (Indian J, Anitn. Nutr., 2006, 23(2): 119-121) Key words: Methionine, Choline, Serum cholesterol, Phospholipid, Organ weight, Broilers Depression in concentration of phospholipid has been reported due to elevating the level of di- etary methionine contents which may be related to the decrease in the abdominal fat content. Addition of choline in the diet of chicks leads to increase in serum concentrations of cholesterol (Seifer et ai, 1972"). The spleen is enlarged with dietary excess of methionine (Harter and Baker, 1978). Weight of all tissues (liver, kidney, spleen, pancreas and abdominal fet) showed up and down responses with increasing dietary methionine levels (Ohta and Ishibashi, 1995). Depression of liver weight due to additional methionine levels was very small. The present study was carried out to see the effect of supplementation of different combinations of me- thionine and choline on the serum cholesterol, phos- pholipid, cholesterol: phospholipid ratio and tissue weights of broilers. *Corresponding author E-mail: bkswain@icargoa.ernet.in Day old broilers (252) divided in to 12 groups (each replicate in triplicate had 7 chicks) were of- fered basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.15, 0.30 or 0.45% methionine with 0, 1.0 or 2.0 g choline/ kg diet up to 6 weeks of age in a 4x3 factorial manner (Snedecor and Cochran, 1968). The basal diet contained maize 60, soybean meal 20,fishmeal 10, rice bran 8.5, DL-methionine 0.15, Choline 1.3, vitamin and minerals 1.35%. Crude protein and me- thionine contents were determined according to the standard procedures (AOAC, 1990; Horn et ai, 1946). At the end of 6 weeks, 3 chicks from each dietary group were bled, serum was collected and analysed for cholesterol and phospholipid concen- trations (Zlatkis et al, 1953; Young and Youngberg, 1971).The cholesterohphospholipid ratio was also calculated. The same birds were sacrificed for re- cording of organ weights. Data were analysed sta- tistically by using 4x3 factorial design. The means of the different treatments were tested for signifi- 119