Effect of dietary energy and nutrient levels on performance and liver expression of respiratory chain genes in broiler chickens

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v30i3.98818

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of energy and nutrient (lysine, calcium, and phosphorus) levels on animal performance and liver expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and electron transport in broilers from 22 to 42 days of age. A total of 432 male Cobb 500 broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 8 replications, and 18 birds per experimental unit. The first treatment (control) consisted of a diet based on corn and soybean meal with a metabolizable energy (ME) content of 12.70 MJ/kg. The second treatment was a high-energy (HE) diet (13.33 MJ/kg) formulated by increasing the ME value of the control diet by 0.63 MJ/kg and maintaining the same levels of digestible lysine, calcium (Ca), and available phosphorus (P). The third treatment was a high-energy and high-nutrient (HEHN) diet, providing 13.33 MJ/kg and a 5% increase in digestible lysine, Ca, and P levels in relation to the control diet. Animal performance and carcass yield were analyzed at 42 days of age. Expression levels of apolipoprotein B (APOB), NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (ND1), and cytochrome c oxidase (COX1) genes were also determined. Treatments exerted significant effects on performance but not on carcass yield. HE diets improved feed efficiency compared with the control. Furthermore, the HEHN diet enhanced weight gain compared with the control. COX1 and ND1 expression was influenced by dietary energy level. In conclusion, the results indicate that HEHN diets improve performance and alter the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and electron transport in broiler chickens from 22 to 42 days of age but do not affect carcass yield.

Author Biographies

Jorge Luiz de Lisboa Dutra, Federal University of Sergipe

Graduated in Animal Science and master's degree from the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science at the Federal University of Sergipe. Has experience in biochemistry and animal nutrition.

Ana Paula Del Vesco, Federal University of Sergipe

She holds a degree in Animal Science from the State University of Maringá (2009), a master's degree (2012) and a doctorate (2014) in animal production from the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science at the State University of Maringá. She also completed a postdoctoral degree with a focus on immunogenetics at Iowa State University (2018-2019). She is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Animal Science and assistant coordinator of the Integrated Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (UFS/UFRB). She has experience in Animal Science, with an emphasis on Genetics and Breeding of Domestic Animals, working on projects that evaluate the main molecular mechanisms involved in gene expression and regulation, epigenetics, and animal biochemistry.

Maricleide Menezes de Lima, Federal University of Sergipe

Zootechnician graduated from the Federal University of Sergipe; Master's student with a research line in the area of ​​Production and Nutrition of Non-Ruminant Animals; Experience in the areas of commercial egg production and broiler chicken production.

Letícia Caroline Santos, Federal University of Sergipe

Graduated in Animal Science from the Federal University of Sergipe. Has experience in the area of ​​Poultry Farming, such as organization and development of poultry management and feeding activities, as well as animal performance assessment and team management.

Gregorio Murilo de Oliveira Junior, Federal University of Sergipe

Zootechnician from the Federal University of Lavras - UFLA; master in Monogastric Nutrition from the Federal University of Viçosa - UFV and PhD from the same university. He currently works as a professor in the non-ruminant area at the Federal University of Sergipe (UFS), São Cristóvão Campus, working in the areas of non-ruminant production, animal nutrition and carnivores.

Valdir Ribeiro Júnior Ribeiro Júnior, Federal University of Sergipe

Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Sergipe - Campus do Sertão, in Nossa Senhora da Glória, SE, Brazil. PhD in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa, with an emphasis on nutrition and production of non-ruminant (monogastric) animals. Master in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa, with an emphasis on nutrition and production of non-ruminant (monogastric) animals. Zootechnician from the Federal University of Viçosa.

Arele Arlindo Calderano, Federal University of Viçosa

He holds a bachelor's degree (2006), a master's degree (2008) and a doctorate (2011) in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa. He worked as a Product Manager (2011 to 2014) and Professor of Basic, Technical and Technological Education at the Fluminense Federal Institute (2014 to 2015). Since November 2015, he has been a Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the Federal University of Viçosa.

Anderson Corassa, Federal University of Mato Grosso

He holds a degree in Animal Science from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (2001), a Master's degree in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa (2004) and a PhD in Animal Science with a concentration in Monogastric Nutrition from the Federal University of Viçosa (2007). He is currently a Full Professor at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Sinop Campus, responsible for the subjects of Nutrition and Feeding of Monogastrics and Swine Farming. He is an advisor and professor of the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (UFMT Sinop-MT) and the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science (UFMT Cuiabá-MT), working in the research line Nutrition and Production of Monogastrics. He has experience in the area of ​​Animal Science, with an emphasis on evaluation of animal feed, working mainly on the following topics: swine, poultry, food, additives, corn ethanol co-products and DDGS. He worked as coordinator of the Postgraduate Program in Animal Science at UFMT Campus Sinop (2018-2019) and (2020-2021). Scopus Author ID 24474312400 (Index h: 9)Web of Science ResearcherID AAI-8086-2020 and MCJ-5343-2025.

Claudson Oliveira Brito, Federal University of Sergipe

He holds a degree in Animal Science from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (2002), a master's degree in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa (2003) and a PhD in Animal Science from the Federal University of Viçosa (2007). He is currently an adjunct professor at the Federal University of Sergipe. He has experience in the area of ​​Animal Science, with an emphasis on Animal Feed Evaluation, working mainly on the following topics: poultry farming, amino acids, performance, digestibility and laying hens.

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Published

2025-07-21

How to Cite

de Lisboa Dutra, J. L., Del Vesco, A. P., Menezes de Lima, M., Bastos, M. S., Santos, L. C., de Oliveira Junior, G. M., … Oliveira Brito, C. (2025). Effect of dietary energy and nutrient levels on performance and liver expression of respiratory chain genes in broiler chickens. Archives of Veterinary Science, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v30i3.98818

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 3 (2025): Navigating the Frontiers of Veterinary Science and Our New Research

Section

Poultry Science

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