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All-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate is a better vitamin E source than all-rac-alpha-tocopherol succinate for broilers
S K Jensen1, R M Engberg, M S Hedemann
1Department of Animal Nutrition and Physiology, Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Research Centre Foulum, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark.
The Journal of Nutrition
|July 8, 1999
Summary
The acetate ester of vitamin E (all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate) shows higher bioavailability and absorption in broilers compared to the succinate ester. This difference is linked to how the body hydrolyzes these vitamin E forms.
Area of Science:
- Animal Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Vitamin E, specifically all-rac-alpha-tocopherol, is crucial for animal health.
- Different ester forms, such as acetate and succinate, can influence vitamin E bioavailability.
- Understanding the comparative efficacy of these esters is important for optimizing animal diets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the comparative bioavailability of all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate and all-rac-alpha-tocopherol succinate in broilers.
- To determine the impact of different dietary levels on the absorption of these vitamin E esters.
- To explore the relationship between intestinal hydrolysis and the in vivo biopotency of vitamin E esters.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week feeding experiment with 96 male Cobb broilers was conducted.
- Broilers were fed diets containing four different levels (50-200 mg/kg) of either all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate or succinate.
- Apparent tocopherol absorption was measured via total collection of droppings, and alpha-tocopherol concentrations in plasma and tissues were analyzed.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in animal performance or feed intake were observed between groups.
- The apparent absorption coefficient for all-rac-alpha-tocopherol succinate (58.0%) was significantly lower than for all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate (70.8%).
- Alpha-tocopherol concentrations in plasma and tissues were lower in broilers fed the succinate ester, indicating lower utilization (69-76% efficiency compared to acetate).
Conclusions:
- All-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate demonstrates superior bioavailability and biopotency in broilers compared to the succinate ester.
- Differences in intestinal hydrolysis, specifically the capacity of pancreatic carboxyl ester hydrolase, likely explain the observed variations in vitamin E absorption and utilization.
- Dietary form significantly impacts vitamin E efficacy in poultry, with acetate being the preferred ester for enhanced absorption and tissue deposition.