Effect of Santoquin and oxidized fat on liver and intestinal glutathione in broilers

Experiments were conducted to determine effects of Santoquin (ethoxyquin) and oxidized fat on liver and intestinal reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione, and pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) mortality. Male broilers were randomly assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial consisting of 3.5% normal (NF) or oxidized (OxF) fat with or without ethoxyquin (E). Body weights and feed intake were monitored weekly, and tissues obtained at 3 and 7 wk for GSH and GSSG analysis. Compared to the NF group, NF/E gained more weight during the starter (0 to 3 wk), but not the grower (4 to 7 wk) period. Birds fed NF/E or NF exhibited greater feed efficiency in the starter period and greater gains during the starter and grower periods than birds fed OxF or OxF/E. No differences in PHS mortality between treatments were observed. Birds fed OxF exhibited lower liver GSSG at 3 wk than the other groups, but there were no differences in liver GSH. Duodenal GSH was higher in birds fed OxF/E than in birds of NF group at 3 and 7 wk. Ileal GSH was higher at 3 wk in OxF/E birds than in OxF birds, but no differences were observed at 7 wk. All tissues exhibited higher GSH levels at 7 wk than at 3 wk. Birds fed ethoxyquin, regardless of fat source, exhibited higher duodenal GSH at 3 and 7 wk and higher ileal GSH at 3 wk than birds that did not receive ethoxyquin. Higher GSH would be beneficial by enhancing protection of intestinal cells to deleterious effects of toxins or other forms of oxidative stress.