Dietary methylsulfonylmethane supplementation and oxidative stress in broiler chickens

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Poultry Science
• Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a sulfur-containing compound recognized for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, commonly used in dietary supplements.
• Oxidative stress, induced by factors like oxidized oils in feed, can negatively impact animal health, growth, and immune function.
• Understanding MSM's efficacy in mitigating oxidative stress in poultry is crucial for optimizing broiler production and welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of 0.05% dietary Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) on broilers subjected to diet-induced oxidative stress.
• To evaluate MSM's impact on tissue MSM distribution, growth performance, oxidative stress biomarkers, and immune responsiveness (T-cell populations).
• To determine if MSM can counteract the negative effects of oxidized dietary oil on broiler health.

Main Methods:

• A total of 528 broilers were assigned to four dietary treatments: fresh oil without MSM, fresh oil with MSM, oxidized oil without MSM, and oxidized oil with MSM.
• Feed intake and growth performance were monitored over a 21-day feeding period.
• Blood and tissue samples were analyzed for MSM concentrations, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GR) activities. T-cell populations were quantified via flow cytometry.

Main Results:

• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) was detected in plasma and tissues of supplemented birds, confirming its absorption and distribution.
• Oxidized oil significantly reduced feed intake, but MSM supplementation partially mitigated oxidative stress by reducing plasma TBARS and increasing liver GPx and GR activities in birds fed oxidized oil.
• MSM supplementation generally increased plasma TAC and liver GPx/GR activities, irrespective of oil type, but did not significantly affect growth performance or T-cell populations.

Conclusions:

• Dietary Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) at 0.05% offers partial protection against diet-induced oxidative stress in broilers, evidenced by improved antioxidant biomarkers.
• MSM supplementation did not negatively impact broiler growth performance or immune cell profiles (T-cells) under the tested conditions.
• The findings suggest that MSM can be a beneficial supplement for managing oxidative stress in broiler chickens, although its impact on overall growth requires further investigation.