Propionate Inhibits Fat Deposition via Affecting Feed Intake and Modulating Gut Microbiota in Broilers

Abstract As one of the three main short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the role of propionate in chicken fat metabolism is largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that dietary supplementation of coated sodium propionate (SP) moderately inhibits fat deposition in broiler chickens, as evidenced by the decreased adipocyte mean area (p 0.05). However, SP application significantly decreased the average daily feed intake of broilers (p 0.05). These results suggest that feed supplementation with SP inhibits fat deposition in broilers by reducing feed and caloric intake, but not via direct regulation on hepatic fat synthesis or adipocytic fat deposition. Alteration in the relative populations of the gut microflora suggests that SP may have gut health implications.