Impact of dietary fat types on expression levels of dopamine and serotonin transporters in the ileum of broiler chickens.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate how different types of dietary fats influence the expression of neurotransmitter transporters (DAT and 5-HTT) and oxidative stress in broiler chickens.
Results Summary
Flaxseed oil (FLAX) significantly increased DAT and 5-HTT expression without causing oxidative stress, while coconut oil (COCO), canola oil (CANO), and the control (CON) showed higher oxidative stress levels. Dietary fat types did not negatively affect growth performance.
Population
Male broiler chicks (Ross 708)
Effective Dosage
3% supplementation of various fats (poultry fat, olive oil, fish oil, canola oil, lard, coconut oil, flaxseed oil)
Duration
55 days
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
dietary fat type inclusion | no change | growth performance parameters | broiler chickens | no significant change | did not have any detrimental effect | #1 |
flaxseed oil (FLAX) treatment | increase | expression levels of DAT | broiler chickens | P < 0.05 | higher | #2 |
flaxseed oil (FLAX) treatment | increase | expression levels of 5-HTT | broiler chickens | P < 0.05 | higher | #3 |
canola oil (CANO) treatment | increase | expression levels of 5-HTT | broiler chickens | P < 0.05 | higher | #4 |
lard (LARD) treatment | increase | expression levels of 5-HTT | broiler chickens | P < 0.05 | higher | #5 |
coconut oil (COCO) treatment | increase | d-ROM values | broiler chickens | 32.75 Carr U | higher levels of oxidative stress | #6 |
canola oil (CANO) treatment | increase | d-ROM values | broiler chickens | 29 Carr U | higher levels of oxidative stress | #7 |
poultry fat (CON) treatment | increase | d-ROM values | broiler chickens | 25.5 Carr U | higher levels of oxidative stress | #8 |
flaxseed oil (FLAX) treatment | decrease | d-ROM values | broiler chickens | 18.5 Carr U | lower levels of oxidative stress | #9 |
incorporating dietary flaxseed oil at a 3% level in the diet | increase | expression levels of intestinal DAT and 5-HTT | broiler chickens | - | has significant potential to elevate | #10 |
incorporating dietary flaxseed oil at a 3% level in the diet | no change | oxidative stress | broiler chickens | - | without inducing | #11 |
Various types of dietary fats undergo distinct fermentation processes by gut microbes, potentially leading to the production of neurotransmitters that can influence the gut. Serotonin and dopamine are recognized neurotransmitters with positive effects on gut function. A broiler chicken trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary fat types on protein expression of 2 neurotransmitter transporters, dopamine (DAT) and serotonin (5-HTT). A total of 560 day-old (Ross 708) male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 7 dietary treatments. The experimental treatments included a basal diet of corn-soybean meal (SBM), supplemented with 3% of various fats: poultry fat (CON), olive oil (OLIV), fish oil (FISH), canola oil (CANO), lard (LARD), coconut oil (COCO), or flaxseed oil (FLAX). Bodyweight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Ileal tissues were aseptically collected to determine the expression levels of DAT and 5-HTT through western blot analysis. In addition, plasma samples were analyzed for reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM) tests on d 55. Results showed that dietary fat type inclusion did not have any detrimental effect on growth performance parameters. The expression levels of DAT were higher (P < 0.05) in FLAX treatments compared to CON treatments on d 20 and d 55, respectively. Similarly, with 5-HTT levels, FLAX, CANO, and LARD treatments were higher (P < 0.05) than CON treatments on d 20 and d 55. However, higher levels of oxidative stress (d-ROM values) were recorded in COCO (32.75 Carr U), CANO (29 Carr U), and CON treatments (25.5 Carr U) compared to FLAX (18.5 Carr U; P < 0.05) treatment. These findings suggest that incorporating dietary flaxseed oil at a 3% level in the diet has significant potential to elevate the expression levels of intestinal DAT and 5-HTT without inducing oxidative stress.