Abstract
1. Single comb White Leghorn hens of an inbred line highly susceptible to fatty liver haemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) were fed supplemented dietary ascorbic acid (200 mg/kg), α‐tocopherol (75 mg/kg), or L‐cysteine (3 g/kg, and 6 g/kg) for 28 d in order to evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of these compounds against the disease.
2. Supplementation of ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol, or a low level of L‐cysteine (3 g/kg) did not significantly affect any of the hepatic variables evaluated. Hepatic glutathione was not increased by the supplementation of dietary L‐cysteine.
3. L‐cysteine supplemented at a level of 6 g/kg decreased hepatic dry matter and fat contents without affecting the hepatic malondialdehyde or the liver haemorrhagic score.
4. Because one of the predisposing factors of FLHS is a high hepatic fat content it was concluded that dietary supplementation of L‐cysteine (6 g/kg) may be useful in the prevention of the disease.
Notes
Permanent address: Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y de Zootecnia, Universitad National de Colombia, Apartada Aérea 76948, Santofé de Bogotá Colombia.