The effect of betaine supplementation on growth performance of piglets raised under sub-optimal management conditions

摘要

Betaine is the trimethyl derivative of the amino acid glycine. As a by-product of sugarbeet processing, betaine is commercially available as a feed additive. Due to its chemical structure, various functions have been described for the betaine molecule. Increasingly, research on betaine as a feed additivie is focusing on its osmo-protective properties in relation to gut functionality and health (Eklund et al, 2005).