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Effects of different dietary methionine and cysteine ratios on growth performance and intestinal development of broilers from brain-gut peptide secretion perspective. |
Zhihui Chen1 
, Yang Zhao1
, Haoliang Chai1
, Dexin Zhao1
, Liangmei Xu1,*
, Teng Teng1,*
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Northeast agriculture university, harbin, China |
Correspondence:
Liangmei Xu,Email: xuliangmei@neau.edu.cn
Teng Teng,Email: tengteng@neau.edu.cn
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Received: 22 October 2025 • Revised: 3 December 2025 • Accepted: 26 January 2026 |
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| Abstract |
Objective
The objective of this study is to investigate the nutritional metabolism and growth development of broiler chickens under different methionine (Met):cysteine (Cys) ratios, with a focus on proteomic alterations in the hypothalamus and ileum to elucidate potential regulatory mechanisms.
Methods
A total of 216 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomized into three groups: low (LMCR, 0.34%:0.56%), medium (MMCR, 0.45%:0.45%), and high (HMCR, 0.53%:0.37%) Met:Cys ratios, with total sulfur amino acids fixed at 0.9%. Each group comprised 6 replicates of 12 chicks, and the experiment spanned 21 days.
Results
Results demonstrated that HMCR significantly improved average daily gain (ADG, p< 0.05), reduced feed conversion ratio (F:G, p<0.05), and enhanced protein/lipid utilization efficiency. Mechanistically, HMCR promoted hypothalamic neurodevelopment, downregulated key components of the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway (P< 0.05) and leptin expression (p< 0.001), while upregulating growth hormone and gastrointestinal hormone secretion. Through the hypothalamic-hormonal-ileal axis, HMCR modulated ileal cell physiology by upregulating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3R, P< 0.05) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K,p< 0.05), thereby enhancing ileal villus morphology and nutrient absorption capacity. The improved ileal structure further augmented energy utilization efficiency (p< 0.05).
Conclusion
In conclusion, a dietary Met:Cys ratio of 0.53%:0.37% optimizes broiler growth performance by coordinately regulating metabolic pathways in the hypothalamus and ileum, as well as modulating brain-gut peptide signaling. These findings provide a scientific foundation for formulating sulfur amino acid-optimized diets to enhance poultry productivity and feed efficiency. |
| Keywords:
Brain gut peptide; Broiler Hypothalamus; Ileum; Methionine-cysteine ratio; Proteomics |
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