Italian Journal of Animal Science • Vol 23 • No 1
Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine administration in drinking water of broilers exposed to heat stress on performances, intestinal integrity, and oxidative status
June 2024 • Herinda Pertiwi, Huaiyong Zhang, Maryam Majdeddin, Jeroen Degroote, Joris Michiels
Supplementing the diet of broiler with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) has been shown to support small intestinal integrity, and as a precursor of L-cysteine, it may also support antioxidant functions. As heat-stressed chickens suffer from intestinal disturbances caused by oxidative stress and at the same time increase water consumption, it was hypothesised that NAC supplemented via the drinking water could reinforce finisher broiler productivity under heat stress. Hence, three hundred 15-day-old male Ross 308 broilers …