N-Carbamylglutamate Improves Production Performance and Muscle Growth by Regulating Protein Digestive Function and...

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition and Physiology
• Poultry Science
• Meat Production

Background:

• N-carbamylglutamate (NCG), an N-acetylglutamate analog, has known roles in animal production.
• Limited research exists on NCG's impact on protein digestion and muscle growth in broiler chickens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of NCG supplementation on protein digestive ability and amino acid metabolism in broiler chickens.
• To evaluate NCG's potential to enhance muscle growth, feed conversion, and meat yield in broilers.

Main Methods:

• 144 male broiler chickens were fed a basal diet with varying NCG levels (0, 150, 300, 450 g/t).
• Evaluated growth performance (ADG, FCR), muscle weights, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activities, plasma metabolites, and muscle gene expression (mTOR, P70S6K).

Main Results:

• NCG supplementation improved average daily gain (ADG), reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR), and increased leg and breast muscle weights.
• Enhanced protein digestibility, digestive enzyme activities (amylase, trypsin, lipase), and ileal villus height were observed.
• Increased plasma levels of key amino acids (GABA, glutamate, glutamine, BCAAs, EAAs), testosterone, and IGF-1, alongside upregulated mTOR and P70S6K gene expression in breast muscle.

Conclusions:

• NCG supplementation is a viable nutritional strategy to improve broiler performance, muscle growth, and meat yield.
• The 300 g/t NCG dose represents a practical optimum, balancing efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
• NCG positively influences protein digestion, amino acid metabolism, and muscle protein synthesis pathways in broilers.