Administration of Branched-Chain Amino Acids in the Pre- or Post-Hatch Period Improves the Fiber Characteristics of Pectoralis Major Muscle in Turkey Poults Subjected to Early or Delayed Feeding

Abstract

Poultry meat quality is controlled by muscle fiber properties associated with body weight gain in\rthe immediate pre- or post-hatch period. This study aimed to determine the effect of administration\rof branched-chain amino acids blend (BCAAb, 3 L-leucine:1 L-isoleucine:2 L-valine) in the preor\rpost-hatch period on the growth performance and fiber characteristics of the Pectoralis major\r(PM) muscle in turkey poults subjected to early or delayed feeding. Newly hatched poults from\reggs injected in ovo with BCAAb or received no injection were used in a 21-d study. Poults (n=192)\rproduced without injection of BCAAb received a starter diet supplemented (BCAA) or not (C) with\rthe BCAAb (2 g/kg) immediately or with a delay of 48 h (48BCAA and 48C) after hatching. Poults\r(n=36) produced with (IOBCAA) in ovo injection of BCAAb (2 mg /ml) received the diet and water\rimmediately. The BCAA and IOBCAA poults had higher body weight than those of the C, 48C,\rand 48BCAA birds. The body weight of the C poults was higher than those of the 48C and 48BCAA\rbirds. The BCAA poults had higher PM muscle weight than those of the C and 48C poults, while\rthat of the IOBCAA poults was higher than that of the 48C poults. The IOBCAA treatment\rincreased the protein content of the PM muscle meat, compared with the C and 48C treatments. The\r48C treatment increased the type IIB fiber area and the type I and type IIA fiber percentages but\rdecreased the type IIB fiber, compared with other treatments. The numbers of type IIB and total\rfibers in the IOBCAA poults were higher than those of the 48C birds. In conclusion, administering\rBCAAb in ovo or in a starter diet enhanced early growth performance and improved the fiber\rcharacteristics of the PM muscle in turkey poults.