Abstract: One hundred and twenty broilers (Arbor Acres) were randomly assigned of 5 groups included group A, B, C, D, E with 3 replicates of 8 each. Group A as control was fed the basal diet and group B another control fed the same diet added 0.7% glutamine, group C, D and E as three trial groups were fed the basal diet added 0.4%, 0.7% and 1.0% α-ketoglutarate (AKG) respectively. The experiment was conducted to study the effects of α-ketoglutarate on growth performance and developing performance of tissues and organs in broilers and the test lasted 42 days. The results showed that average daily gain at 1 to 2 weeks and weight and duodenum at two-week-old were significantly increased (P＜0.05), weight of cloacae bursa at two-week-old were significantly decreased (P＜0.05) by added 0.7% α-ketoglutarate. The weight and index of cloacae bursa were significantly increased (P＜0.05) and liver weight was significantly decreased (P＜0.05) at six-week-old by added 0.4% and 0.7% α-ketoglutarate. The results suggested that weight and average daily gain and developing performance of early duodenum and later cloacae bursa were improved by added α-ketoglutarate and added 0.7% α-ketoglutarate group was the best.

Key words: α-ketoglutarate; broilers; growth performance; tissues and organs