Research note: effect of 2,4-dinitrophenol on growth and body composition of broilers

The effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on growth, feed efficiency, fattening, and mitochondrial functions of liver and skeletal muscle were studied in broilers. The DNP was added at levels of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of diet. Feed intake was not changed with administration of DNP except at 100 mg/kg of diet. Body weight was significantly decreased by administration of DNP at 400 mg/kg of diet compared with those at 0 and 100 mg/kg of diet. Feed efficiency was significantly reduced by administration of DNP at 400 mg/kg of diet. Abdominal fat and carcass fat contents, expressed either as absolute values or relative percentages of body weight, were significantly decreased with increasing dietary DNP concentration above 200 mg/kg of diet. These results showed that administration of DNP reduced body fat, which may be associated with the change in feed efficiency. No reduction in adenosine triphosphate:oxygen ratio with increasing DNP concentration was observed in hepatic and skeletal muscle mitochondria isolated from broilers fed experimental diets containing DNP.