Effects of Dietary L-Glutamic Acid in Broiler Chicks

In order to study the effects of L- glutamic acid (L-Glu) levels on contents of collagenous (CP), non collagenous (NCP) total proteins (TP) and minerals in femur and tibia of male broiler chicks, one experiment was conducted with day-old broiler chicks, male Hubbard, reared in electrically heated batteries with raised wire mesh floors and fed purified amino acid diets and water ad libitum for a 14 days period. The basal diet contained all essential L-amino acids, minerals and vitamins at requirement levels and was supplemented with 5,0; 7,5; 10,0; 12,5% L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu). Each treatment had five replicates of five chicks each. Supplementation of 7.5% L-Glu was sufficient to improve growth, feed/gain ratio and the higher tibia and femur length. To reduce leg problems to a minimum observed (19.92%) were necessary higher level of non-specific nitrogen (12,5% L-Glu). No effects were observed of L-Glu levels upon feed consumption. There was no significant dietary effect in the content of CP, TP and Ca, P, Mg, Mn, Na e K tibia and femur ash. The NCP contents of both the tibia and femur were significant higher in chicks fed 12,5% L-Glu. Increasing the dietary level of non-specific nitrogen, it was observed a tendency to increase NCP content of tibia and femur. Although some differences were observed in the mineral composition of bones, the mineral contents were in physiological range.

broiler chicks; L-glutamic acid; chemical and biochemical composition; leg problems