BCAA interactions: how do they influence broiler performance, intestinal morphometry, lipid profile, and liver health?

An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of the BCAA and their interactions on performance, carcass composition, lipid metabolism, liver health, and intestinal morphometry in broiler chickens. Male chickens (<i>n</i> = 1080) were randomly assigned into floor pens in a 3 × 3 factorial design with 3 dietary ratios of SID Leu:Lys (110, 150, and 190%), and 3 dietary ratios of SID Ile-Val:Lys (68-77, 78-87, and 88-97%). Performance parameters were assessed from 1 to 35 days of age. Additionally, blood parameters, carcass composition through DEXA analysis, and intestinal morphometry of the small intestine were evaluated in birds at 35 days of age. Data were subjected to ANOVA and the Tukey Test was used to determine differences between treatments (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and body fat of birds were reduced when SID Ile-Val:Lys increased from 68-77 to 88-97% (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides were influenced by BCAA interactions (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase levels were reduced when SID Leu:Lys ratio increased from 110 to 190% (<i>p</i> < 0.05). However, the alanine aminotransferase levels increased when both SID Leu:Lys and SID Ile-Val:Lys increased from 110 to 190%, and 68-77 to 88-97%, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The highest SID Leu:Lys ratio of 190% resulted in the highest villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in all three portions of the intestine, whereas the highest SID Ile-Val:Lys ratio of 88-97% resulted in the highest ratio only in the jejunum and ileum (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, the results of this study provide valuable insights into the inclusion of BCAA in broiler diets and their effects on performance, body fat content, intestinal morphometry, lipid metabolism, and liver health.