Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Female Gamecocks Productive Parameters and Cardiac Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Background: Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an endogenous antioxidant responsible for the removal of free radicals in all cell types. In farm animals, its use improves weight gain, energy metabolism, and the response to oxidative stress. The purpose of this work was to measure the effect of ALA on productive variables and cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis in female fighting cocks (Gallus gallus).

Methodology: Two groups of 38 4-week-old chicks received either 0 or 40 ppm of ALA in food for 9 weeks. Different parts of the carcass, additional to the liver and the heart, were weighed, the antioxidant capacity in serum was measured, and the expression of the mRNAs for five genes involved in mitochondrial biogenesis was quantified in the heart using real-time PCR.

Results: No differences were observed in growth performance between the two groups (P > .1). The carcass yield was higher in the birds that consumed ALA (69 vs. 65%; P < .05); however, no significant differences were observed in the breast, leg with thigh, wing, and liver yields (P > .1). Heart performance was higher (0.71%) in birds treated with ALA compared to the control group (0.67%; P < .05), and the total antioxidant capacity (599.71 vs. 554.64 UT, P < .05) was improved with ALA. The expression of the mRNAs for NRF1, NRF2, PGC1-α, MT-ND1, and SIRT1 was increased in the heart of the birds treated with ALA (P < .05), which may suggest that there was an increase in cardiac mitochondrial biogenesis.

Conclusion: The addition of ALA to the diet of fighting cocks could improve their strength during a fight; however, further testing is required to determine gender-specific effects of ALA supplementation.