# Effects of dietary glutathione supplementation on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant function and intestinal morphology in growing male minks

## TL;DR

This study found that adding glutathione to the diets of growing male minks improved nutrient digestion, antioxidant levels, and intestinal health, with the best results at 200 mg/kg.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the optimal dietary glutathione levels for enhancing mink growth and health.

## Key findings

- Glutathione supplementation increased nutrient digestibility and antioxidant activity in minks.
- 200 mg/kg glutathione showed the most significant improvements in intestinal morphology and antioxidant enzyme activity.
- Higher glutathione doses elevated hepatic glutathione levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio.

## Abstract

This study investigated the effects of dietary glutathione (GSH) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, amino acid digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal morphology in growing male minks. Sixty two-month-old male minks were divided into 6 groups and fed diets supplemented with 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 mg/kg GSH over a 9-week trial. The results showed numerically higher growth performance and pelt quality in the groups receiving 50–200 mg/kg GSH, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 150–250 mg/kg GSH significantly increased crude fat digestibility, while 100–200 mg/kg GSH enhanced cysteine digestibility and 150 mg/kg GSH elevated the digestibility of isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine during the first four weeks (P < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, total serum superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity was significantly increased with 150–250 mg/kg GSH (P < 0.05). Serum glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated by 150–200 mg/kg GSH (P < 0.05). Hepatic T-SOD activity was significantly increased by 100 and 200 mg/kg GSH (P < 0.05), and glutathione transferase activity was upregulated by 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg GSH (P < 0.05). Additionally, 250 mg/kg GSH significantly raised hepatic GSH level (P < 0.05), and both 100 and 250 mg/kg GSH significantly elevated the hepatic GSH/GSSG ratio (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 200 mg/kg GSH significantly increased the villus height in the duodenum and jejunum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary GSH supplementation increased nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health in growing minks, with 200 mg/kg showing greater benefits, thereby providing valuable guidance for its practical use in mink nutrition.