Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-tnzcf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-14T10:10:01.631Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An update on ascorbic acid in poultry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

C.C. Whitehead*
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, Scotland and BASF, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
T. Keller
Affiliation:
Roslin Institute, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PS, Scotland and BASF, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: e-mail: colin.whitehead@bbsrc.ac.uk
Get access

Abstract

This paper provides a review of research on ascorbic acid as a nutrient in poultry published subsequent to a major review in this journal in 1986. Further experiments have confirmed the effects of a nutritional supply of AA in limiting the metabolic signs of stress and alleviation of the physiological consequences of stress is manifest in the performance, immunological competence and behaviour of birds. Birds under stress can recognise the stress-relieving properties of a diet containing AA and increase their intake of it, though they require a colour association to make the correct diet selection. Practical studies have generally confirmed the experimental findings, though the responses have been more variable, perhaps because of the greater difficulty in establishing the degree of stress experienced by birds under practical conditions. Optimum responses in growth, feed efficiency and/or liveability in broilers under heat stress seem to occur with supplements of about 250 mg AA/kg. Laying hens under stress, particularly climatic stress, have also shown responses to supplemental AA. This has resulted in improvements in liveability, food intake, egg production and egg quality with dietary AA concentrations in the range 250–400 mg/kg. AA can be beneficial in countering the adverse effects on shell quality of drinking water containing a high concentration of salts. The AA concentrations that have been found to be effective lie in the range 1–2 g AA/kg feed or /I drinking water, though it is possible that breed differences or additional stress factors might affect the response. Studies on the role of AA in the growth of poultry bone and connective tissues have suggested possible benefits of dietary supplementation in some stress or disease situations. AA has also been shown to interact with a number of other vitamins and minerals.

Information

Type
Reviews
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable