Betaine and related compounds: Chemistry, metabolism and role in mitigating heat stress in poultry

Betaine can operate as an osmolyte and a methyl donor. Betaine is an osmolyte and a methyl donor. Betaine is likewise a zwitterion with osmotic capabilities that can help an animal cope with osmotic stress. Previous investigations have suggested that betaine has various impacts, albeit these studies do not consistently provide the same results. Dietary betaine has received a lot of attention owing to its osmoprotectant, methionine-sparing and antioxidant properties. Betaine is extensively assessed concerning performance and body composition. The tolerance to high temperatures, flock livability, and breast meat output is among the factors frequently mentioned in the literature as being altered by betaine. Betaine, a multi-nutritional agent, may help poultry resist heat stress and poor management. A common subject of betaine research is the idea of betaine saving some methionine. Although research on betaine may not always come to the same results, some discoveries repeat themselves. Because of their effectiveness in increasing growth performance, feed utilization, meat quality, and alleviating heat stress in chicken farms, betaine and methionine are extensively used as feed supplements in poultry diets. This review highlights the influences of betaine on poultry performance, meat quality, carcass characteristics, antioxidant activity, in addition to its role in mitigating heat stress.

Automated summary

Betaine functions as an osmolyte and methyl donor, helping animals cope with osmotic stress. Despite inconsistent research results, some key findings, such as improved growth performance and heat stress resistance, are repeatedly discovered. Therefore, the widespread use of betaine and methionine as feed supplements in poultry diets can enhance poultry production performance and meat quality.