EFFECT OF DIETARY BETAINE SUPPLEMENTATION ON POULTRY PERFORMANCE, CARCASS, AND BLOOD CHEMISTRY

Betaine serves a dual role as both an osmolyte and a methyl donor. Due to its inclusion of methyl groups, it has the potential to reduce dietary methionine requirements. Additionally, as a zwitterion, betaine exhibits osmolytic properties that assist animals to cope with osmotic stress. Numerous studies have explored the effects of betaine, though their findings have not always been consistent. However, dietary betaine continues to attract significant interest for its roles as an osmoprotectant, a methionine-sparing agent, and an antioxidant. Researchers have extensively examined its impact on poultry growth performance, body composition, and overall productivity. Some of the most frequently cited benefits of betaine supplementation include improved high ambient temperature tolerance or heat stress tolerance, increased flock survivability, and enhanced breast meat yield. As an essential nutritional compound, betaine may play a crucial role in helping poultry withstand heat stress and suboptimal management conditions. One of the most widely discussed aspects of betaine research is its ability to partially replace methionine in poultry diets. Studies consistently report certain benefits, despite varying findings. Betaine and methionine are commonly incorporated into poultry feed due to their effectiveness in promoting growth, enhancing feed efficiency, improving meat quality, and mitigating heat stress in commercial poultry farming. Given these advantages, this article aims to examine the role of betaine as a feed additive in poultry production, particularly its influence on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, antioxidant activity, and its function in heat stress management.