In a 42-d experiment, 576 one-day-old Vencobb 308 broiler chicks were
used to investigate the effects of lecithin extract (0.5 g/kg), choline
chloride 60% (1 g/kg) and Bio choline (1 g/kg) in diets of moderate and
high energy in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement on performance and certain
physiological traits in broiler chickens. The inclusion of Bio choline and
lecithin extract in the diet significantly increased average daily gain and
improved feed conversion ratio in overall (1 to 42 d) period (P < 0.05).
Performance efficiency index was improved in the birds fed with Bio
choline compared to those fed control diet. Broilers fed diets containing
Bio choline and lecithin extract had less abdominal fat percentage than
those fed choline chloride or control diet. Regardless of dietary energy
level, supplementation of diet with Bio choline, choline chloride and
lecithin extract significantly decreased liver lipid concentration (P <
0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase activity increased in the serum of
broilers fed high energy diets while it was decreased in the birds
received diets containing choline chloride. Lipotropic compounds
decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase activity in the birds fed on
high energy diets. The addition of Bio choline and lecithin extract to diet
significantly decreased serum γ–glutamyltransferase activity (P < 0.05).
Results of the present study revealed that dietary supplementation of
commercial lipotropic compounds could remove potential detrimental
effects from high energ