• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2021

A total of twenty-four multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) and their litters were used in this 21-day experimental trial. Based on their body weight, sows were randomly allocated into one of three treatments with eight replicates. The dietary betaine supplementation contained three levels: (i) CON (Basal diet + 0% Bet), (ii) Bet 0.05% (CON + 0.05% Betaine), and (iii) Bet 0.15% (CON + 0.15% Betaine). The supplementation of betaine had no effect (p > 0.05) on body weight and feed intake of lactating sow. Moreover, no significant response was observed on backfat thickness, body condition score, and weaning of the estrus interval with the dietary supplementation of betaine. In addition, the litter weaning weight, litter weight gain, average litter daily gain, and survivability rate at birth showed no significant difference with the dietary betaine supplementation of the sow diet. Fecal scores of the lactating sows and suckling piglets were not affected (p > 0.05) with the dietary betaine supplementation compared with the control diet during the experimental periods. The findings of this study showed that betaine supplementation does not boost growth performance, feed intake, body conditions, and fecal score in lactating sows and suckling piglets fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2013

Betaine supplementation has been shown to alleviate altered glucose and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet or a high-sucrose diet. We investigated the beneficial effects of betaine in diabetic db/db mice. Alleviation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and oxidative stress was also examined in the livers and brains of db/db mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet. Male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were fed with or without 1% betaine for 5 wk (referred to as the db/db-betaine group and the db/db group, respectively). Lean non-diabetic db/+ mice were used as the control group. Betaine supplementation significantly alleviated hyperinsulinemia in db/db mice. Betaine reduced hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha, a major transcription factor involved in gluconeogenesis. Lower serum triglyceride concentrations were also observed in the db/db-betaine group compared to the db/db group. Betaine supplementation induced hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a mRNA levels, and reduced acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity. Mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet had increased total glutathione concentrations and catalase activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation levels in the liver. Furthermore, betaine also reduced ER stress in liver and brain. c-Jun N-terminal kinase activity and tau hyperphosphorylation levels were lower in db/db mice fed a betaine-supplemented diet, compared to db/db mice. Our findings suggest that betaine improves hyperlipidemia and tau hyperphosphorylation in db/db mice with insulin resistance by alleviating ER and oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.706-711
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• 2009

This study was carried out to compare the growth performance and quality properties of pork from finishing pigs fed different levels of betaine. A total 120 female pigs (Landrace${\times}$Yorkshire${\times}$Duroc) were fed either a control commercial diet or the control diet supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% betaine for 31 days. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) of the 2% diet was lower than of the other treatment groups. The average daily gain (ADG) for pigs fed betaine diets was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with nonsupplemented diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) of pigs fed betaine diets was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared with nonsupplemented diets. pH of loin and ham samples were not significantly different between dietary groups, whereas CIE a* (redness) of pork loin was increased by dietary betaine. Also, the shear force value of loin was significantly higher (p<0.05) in pigs given dietary betaine compared with non-supplemented diets, but no significant differences were found in cooking loss by the loin among diets with different levels of betaine (p>0.05). Dietary supplementation with betaine decreased total cholesterol concentrations in blood, and increased saturated fatty acid and decreased unsaturated fatty acid levels in muscle. Pigs supplemented with betaine had increased betaine concentrations in the loin muscle. It was concluded that dietary betaine supplementation of finishing pigs can improve growth performance and reduce blood cholesterol concentrations. It was also concluded that dietary betaine produced detectable betaine concentrations in the lion muscle.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Poultry Science Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.17-27
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• 2006

The effects of dietary betaine on performance, blood compositions, hepatic amino acid concentrations and hormonal secretions were examined in laying hens. Egg production was significantly higher in birds fed the 16.5 % protein diet compared to those fed 14.5 % protein diet(p<0.05), whereas dietary supplementation of betaine did not show any significant effect. The high level of protein and betaine supplementation significantly improved egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion(p<0.05), while eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness and Haugh unit were not influenced by betaine and dietary protein levels. Supplemental betaine did not affect serum total protein, albumin and BUN concentration. However, uric acid concentration significantly increased in 600 ppm betaine-fed groups(p<0.05). Concentrations of most hepatic amino acid were influenced by increased protein feeding and dietary betaine supplementation. Hormone studies recorded significantly higher serum and hepatocyte IGF-I concentration in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine treatments(p<0.05) compared to those of control group. IGF-I mRNA gene expression of hepatocytes revealed statistically correlated increase in 600 and 1,200 ppm betaine-fed groups compared to the controls(p<0.05). Serum IGFBP-3 concentration was significantly elevated in 600 ppm betaine treatments. However, the secretion of IGFBP-1 in hepatocyte of laying hens fed with 600 and 1,200 ppm of betaine showed a significant decrease compared to the control group(p<0.05). Results of these study show that dietary betaine supplementation affects protein and hormone metabolism in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1754-1760
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary glycine betaine on pork quality in different muscle types. A total of 80 female pigs ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire{\times}Duroc$) were randomly allotted into one of four experimental diet groups. Each group of pigs were fed a commercial diet (Control) with 0.2 g glycine betaine (T1), 0.4 g glycine betaine (T2) and 0.6 g% glycine betaine (T3)/kg for 40 days. pH of belly was significantly higher in the control than dietary glycine betaine groups at 13 days of storage, whereas pH of picnic shoulder and ham were significantly lower in control than glycine betaine groups. At 13 days of storage, redness (a*) of belly was significantly higher in control than dietary glycine betaine groups, whereas picnic shoulder and ham were significantly higher in glycine betaine groups than in the control. Water-holding capacities (WHC) of all muscle samples were significantly higher in the control than glycine betaine groups until 5 days of storage. Sarcomere length was significantly longer in the control than glycine betaine groups. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value of belly was much higher than other muscle types at 13 days of storage. In fatty acid composition, dietary glycine betaine increased the ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and decreased unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) in loins.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.427-438
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• 2015

The effects of different feeding times, using a diet containing 800 ppm betaine, on production, blood profile, and the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), was investigated using 240 Cherry Valley (Anas platyrhynchos) meat ducks exposed to a scorching heat wave. The animals were randomly assigned to four groups, each of which was replicated three times with twenty ducks per replicate. The experimental period was 42 days for each group. Four groups were assigned into C (heat wave control group without betaine), T1 (ad libitum group fed a diet containing 800 ppm betaine), T2 (diet-restricted group fed twice daily between 05:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00, using a diet containing 800 ppm betaine), and T3 (night-restricted group, fed from 17:00-10:00, with a diet containing 800 ppm betaine). At 42 days, body weight increased in order of T2, T1, T3 compared to the heat wave control group although. However, these differences were not found between the groups of T1 and T3. The heat wave control group, provided an ad libitum diet without betaine (C), showed an elevated feed conversion ratio compared to the groups fed a diet containing betaine. However, these differences were not found between the groups of T1, T2 and T3. RBC and platelet profiles except for PLT and MPV showed statistically significant differences between study groups fed a diet containing betaine. T2 presented significantly higher blood electrolytes $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ than the other groups. T2 also showed a blood gas level that was generally higher than the other groups. Total SCFA, acetic acid and propionic acid concentration has been the increasing trend in T2, but butyric acid, isobutyric acid and valeric acid concentration has been the decreasing trend in T2 compared to the other groups. It is concluded that the feeding-restricted group, fed two times daily between 05:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00, with a diet containing 800 ppm betaine may improve growth performance in meat ducks exposed to a scorching heat wave.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1084-1098
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.821-832
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• 2004

A total of 80 pigs were used to investigate the effect of dietary glycine betaine(N,N,N-trimethylglycine) on pork quality during cold storage. About 70 kg pigs were randomly a1loted into one of four experimental diet groups(0%, 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% glycine betaine). Pigs were slaughtered at approximately 110 kg live weight, and pH, color(CIE $L^* a^* b^*$), shear force, sarcomere length, lipid oxidation and composition of fatty acid were measured in pork loin for 13 days of cold storage. The concentration of glycine betaine in pork loin was significantly increased(P<0.05) with increasing of glycine betaine level in diet. Pork loins from dietary betaine groups showed significantly higher muscle pH and lower CIE $b^*$ values compared to control group after 13 days of storage. There were significant differences in shear force values among pork loins from diet groups at 24 hrs postmortem. However, pork loins from control diet showed longer sarcomere length than those of dietary betaine groups. Dietary glycine betaine increased the ratio of saturated fatty acids and decreased unsaturated fatty acids in pork loins. Especially the ratios of linoleic and myristic acid were decreased with increasing dietary betaine level. However, dietary glycine betaine did not affect lipid oxidation (TSARS) and sensory evaluation during cold storage.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.394-404
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• 2015

This study investigated the pharmacodynamics of betaine on the blood profile and short chain fatty acid levels in meat ducks exposed to heat wave. 400 heads of Cherry valley (Anasplatyrhynchos) meat ducks were completely randomized to 5 treatments (4 repetitions each), and were raised for 42 days. They were grouped into T1 (heat wave control group without betaine), T2 (betaine 400 ppm), T3 (betaine 800 ppm), T4 (betaine 1200 ppm), and T5 (normal control group without betaine). Compared to T1, the betaine addition groups showed higher body weight gain at shipment, with T3 showing the highest significant difference. For hematological indictors measured (red blood cells and platelets), the betaine addition groups showed significantly higher values than the heat wave control group. The pH of the former was lower but their electrolytes ($K^+$, $P^+$, and $Cl^-$) were significantly higher compared to the latter. For blood gas concentration, the former showed a significantly higher value than the latter. For the total short chain fatty acids, acetic acid, and propionic acid, the betaine addition groups and group fed broiler-high temperature diet showed higher values than the heat wave control group. On the other hand, the former showed significantly lower values in butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid than the latter group. These results suggest that betaine has the pharmacodynamics that mediate heat stress, via the maintenance and control of the blood profile, osmotic pressure, gas concentration, and short chain fatty acid, of meat ducks under heat wave.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.259-267
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• 2003

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of betaine on egg production, lipid metabolism, and osmoregulation in 18-to 42-week-old ISA Brown laying hens. In experiment 1, three hundred and sixty one hens were fed a com-soy basal diet contailing 16% crude protein (CP), 2800 kcal/kg metabolizable energy (ME), 0.33% methionine, and 0, 300, 600, or 1200 mg betaine per kg diet. Egg production, egg weight, feed consumption, feed conversion, and egg quality were measured every eight weeks. Betaine concentration in live and egg were determined along with serum cholesterol, abdominal fat, total serum protein and albumin levels. In experiment 2, twenty thirty-three-week-old laying hens were fed the same diets as those used in experiment 1 in individual cages and the amount of feed and water consumption were measured for two weeks. At the end of experiment 2, all birds were killed to determine blood plasma and ileal osmopressure, arginine vasotocin (AVT), and liver moisture content. In experiment 1, egg production between the treatments during the first eight weeks were not different, whereas the significant increment of egg production were noticed in the birds fed more than 600 ppm betaine after reaching the peak egg production stage (p<0.05). The egg weight was reduced significantly by the betaine supplementation for the first 8 weeks (p<0.05). Feed conversion tended to improve by betaine supplement. Egg quality was not enhanced by betaine supplementation. Liver betaine level increased with betaine feeding compared to the control but betaine concentration in eggs decreased with betaine supplementation. Betaine supplementation elevated the level of serum total cholesterol and triglyeerides compared to the control. Abdominal fat content was increased by betaine supplementation, whereas liver fat content decreased. In experiment 2, water consumption significantly increased in hens fed diets containing 300 and 600 mg betaine/kg (p<0.05) and osmotic pressure of ileal digesta increased with betaine supplement. Liver moisture content was not affected by betaine, but AVT increased in hens fed betaine. The overal results suggested the possibility of using betaine as a feed additives in the laying hens beacuse of its positive contribution to improving egg production and other metabolic parameters related to lipid metabolism.