Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation on growth performance, tissue development and blood parameters of yellow-feather broilers

N-Carbamylglutamate in ovo feeding improves carcass yield, muscle fiber development, and meat quality in broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

Insufficient endogenous nutrients in the broiler embryo can lead to muscle gluconeogenesis, which ultimately affects the post-hatching performance of chicks. This study investigated the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on the growth hormones, carcass yield, and meat quality in broilers. Fertile eggs from a 30-week-old Ross 308 breeder flock were divided into three treatment groups: NC (non-injection), SC (100 μL saline-injection), and NCG (2 mg NCG injection). Each group had six replicates, with 70 eggs per replicate during incubation. Injections were administered on the 17.5th day of embryonic development. After hatching, 270 chicks were selected for 42-day rearing for further sampling.

RESULTS

Chicks in the NCG group had significantly higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) at the growing phase, increased growth and testosterone hormone in both feeding phases (21 and 42 days), and improved average daily gain (ADG) and food conversion ratio (FCR) in both grower and entire feeding phases (P < 0.05). Triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) levels, carcass yield, dressing, drum weight, breast muscle weight, drumstick weights, thighs, pectoralis major, and their part percentage of carcass were improved in the NCG group (P < 0.05), these effects were varied along feeding phases. Moreover, IOF of the NCG also improved pectoralis breast muscle color values at 24 h post mortem (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that NCG injection at the late embryonic age of broiler enhances growth performance and meat quality throughout the lifespan and this can probably be attributed to an increase in thyroid and testosterone hormones, indicating potential involvement in metabolic and nutrient partitioning pathway regulation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of dietary N-carbamylglutamate on rumen fermentation parameters, and bacterial community diversity of Holstein dairy cows in Tibet

Introduction

The Tibetan Plateau is characterized by low temperature and hypoxia. N-carbamylglutamic acid (NCG) can increase blood oxygen saturation, and have the potential to be used to prevent the high-altitude hypoxia stress state of cows. However, its beneficial effect on the rumen microbiota of Holstein dairy cows remains unclear.

Methods

Hence, the experiments 12 multiparous (parity ranged from 2 to 7) Holstein dairy cows (413.0 ± 42 kg) were randomly assigned to 2 treatments with 6 replicates in each treatment: basal diet (CON, control group) and basal diet plus 20 g/d/cow of NCG (NCG, experiment group), respectively. To study the effects of dietary NCG supplementation on rumen microbiota of Holstein dairy cows in Tibet. The experiment lasted for 45 days, with 15 days of pre-feeding and 30 days of formal trail period.

Results

The results showed that ruminal NH₃-N concentration in NCG group was lower (p < 0.05) than that in the CON group, while molar proportion of acetic acid and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration were increased (p < 0.05) with the addition of NCG. Microbial diversity increased (p < 0.05) in NCG group, with Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Patescibacteria as the most abundant phyla. The KEGG pathway analysis showed that the potential function of ruminal bacteria was mainly enriched in metabolism (carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, energy, and nucleotides) and genetic information processing (replication, repair, and translation).

Conclusion

In conclusion, NCG can improve rumen nitrogen utilization, total VFA and acetic acid production, and increase rumen microbial diversity, all of which could make the introduced Holstein dairy cows to better adapt to the harsh environment in Tibet and improve their production performance.

Production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression for layers as affected by N-Carbamylglutamate supplementation

Introduction

Supplementation of exogenous additives is a strategy to improve laying performance of layers by regulating uterine function. N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG) as an activator for endogenous arginine synthesis has the potential to regulate the laying performance of layers, but its effects have not been fully understood.

Methods

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of NCG on production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression in layers. A total of 360 45-week-old layers with a genetic line of Jinghong No. 1 were used in this study. The experimental period was 14 weeks. All birds were divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet and supplemented with 0, 0.08, 0.12, or 0.16% NCG to form C, N1, N2, and N3 groups.

Results and discussion

We found that layers in group N1 had higher egg production rate than those in group C. Egg weight was significantly reduced, while eggshell thickness was significantly improved, by treatment. However, the albumen height and Haugh unit were the lowest in group N3. Based on the above results, groups C and N1 were selected for further transcriptomics analysis of uterine tissue by RNA-seq. More than 7.4 Gb clean reads and 19,882 tentative genes were obtained using the Gallus gallus genome as a reference. Transcriptomics analysis in uterus tissue revealed that 95 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated and 127 DEGs were downregulated. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs in uterine tissue were mainly enriched in glutathione metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism, etc. Vitamin A metabolism-related gene, RBP1, nutrient transport-related gene, ALB, protein synthesis-related gene, METTL21C, and calcium transport-related gene, RYR2, CACNB2, RAMP3, and STAC, were significantly regulated by 0.08% NCG supplementation. Therefore, we concluded that NCG supplementation at a dose of 0.08% improved production performance and egg quality of layers by regulating uterus function.

Multifarious feed additives on lamb performance on Kuwait farms

Background and Aim

A change in the livestock feeding strategy is of utmost importance for the stability of animal health and sustainable livestock productivity to overcome the problem of subsiding the environmental effects of sheep production. Supplementing dietary feed with safe and efficient additives provides optimal animal performance and maximizes productivity. This study aimed to assess the effects of adding various feed additives to lamb rations for optimizing feed efficiency in weaned lambs for meat production in Kuwait.

Materials and Methods

The feed additives, namely, ammonium chloride, urea, algae, fishmeal, and humic acid, were investigated on the physical performance of lambs for their effect on body weight, length, height, and waist length. The total feed consumption rate and feed efficiency were also measured. Each treatment comprising five healthy lambs was randomly allocated into six treatments comprising 30 lambs. The six treatments were the basal ration supplemented with ammonium chloride (50-100 g/day/head), urea (30 g/day/head), fishmeal (35 g/day/head), algae (Spirulina platensis) powder (50 g/day/head), humic acid (2.5 g/day/head), control group with only basal ration. The study was conducted for around 27 months and the data were recorded once in 2 weeks.

Results

The results indicated a positive elevation in the physique of lambs with all tested additives, showing an affirmative insignia for lamb fattening. The growth parameters in terms of augmented length, height, and waist length of lambs' bodies amplified significantly with ammonium chloride and fishmeal supplement, while the other additives reported a non-significant increment. The feed consumption was significantly elevated for ammonium chloride, algae, and fishmeal supplementation, while humic acid was recorded the least. Concerning feed efficiency of young lambs, fish meal and ammonium chloride were reported best, followed by urea. In contrast, algae and humic acid exhibited a non-significant effect on feed efficiency.

Conclusion

This study exposed noteworthy influence on a lamb body's performance with the addition of fish meal and ammonium chloride in lamb rations, trailed by urea and algae.

Mitoxantrone alleviates hepatic steatosis induced by high-fat diet in broilers

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a common nutritional metabolic disease in poultry that seriously compromises the health of chickens and reduces the economic benefits of the industry. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effect of mitoxantrone (MTX) on hepatic steatosis in broilers. We constructed a steatosis cell model in vitro by adding oleic acid and palmitic acid to chicken hepatocytes (LMH cells), to examine influence of MTX on fat deposition on LMH cells. To determine the effects of MTX on hepatic steatosis in broiler livers in vivo, broilers were fed a high-fat diet to establish a fatty liver model. Our data show that MTX reduced the triglyceride (TG) levels and total cholesterol levels in LMH cells. In the MAFLD chick model, MTX decreased mRNA abundance of hepatic-lipid-synthesis-related gene such as FASN and increased mRNA abundance of fatty-acid-β-oxidation-related genes such as CPT1, PPARα, and reduced hepatic TG levels. MTX also reduced serum lipid and the percentage of abdominal fat. These results suggest that MTX improves hepatic steatosis in broilers as well as reduces circulating lipid levels and fat accumulation in broilers. Our work provides a promising therapeutic strategy for MAFLD and excessive fat accumulation in broiler chickens.

Microbiome-Metabolome Responses in Ruminal Content and Feces of Lactating Dairy Cows With N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation Under Heat Stress

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation on metabolic profile and microbiota in ruminal content and feces of lactating dairy cows under heat stress (HS). Forty-eight lactating Holstein cows (154 ± 13.6 days in milk) were assigned randomly to four treatments (n = 12), to receive 0, 15, 20, or 25 g/day of commercial NCG (proportion: 97.7%) for the period of 60 days. The recorded ambient temperature–humidity index (THI) suggested that the cows were exposed to HS for almost the entire experimental period (average THI: 80.6). Samples of ruminal content and feces were collected at the end of the trial (day 60) to determine the biological effects of NCG supplementation on metabolome and microbiota using mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing techniques, respectively. Results showed that NCG supplementation enhanced the levels of ruminal microbial protein, total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and the molar proportion of propionate in the rumen, but lowered the ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and the ratio of acetate to propionate. NCG at doses of 20 and 25 g/day reduced the community richness and diversity of ruminal microbiota with the decrease of Shannon and Simpson diversity. Compositions of ruminal and fecal microbiotas were altered by NCG, and the PICRUSt results revealed that metabolic pathways of the bacteria, such as amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and pyruvate metabolism, were enriched in NCG groups. Distinct changes in the metabolomic profile of ruminal fluid were observed between the control and NCG groups. Changes of 26 metabolites mainly involved in arginine metabolism, glutamate metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism were observed associated with NCG supplementation. These results provided new insights into the effects of NCG on metabolomic profile and microbiota in ruminal content and feces, and the optimal dose of NCG supplemented to dairy cows was 20 g/hd/day, which contributed to understanding the effects of NCG on HS in lactating dairy cows.

Effects of Inclusion of N-Carbamylglutamate in the Non-Protein Diet on Growth and Slaughter Performance, Meat Quality, Nitrogen Metabolism and Antioxidant of Holstein Bulls

Simple Summary

Using dietary non-protein nitrogen is an effective way to decrease the dependence on protein resources in cattle production. N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is a structural analogue of N-acetylglutamate (NAG), which is a precursor of endogenous Arg synthesis. NCG improves urea cycling and enhances the endogenous synthesis of Arg, nitric oxide synthase and NO. The present study showed that beef benefited from being fed NCG product in the urea diet by enhancing its growth and slaughter performance, meat quality, nitrogen metabolism and plasma amino acids.

Abstract

The objectives of this experiment were to investigate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on growth and slaughter performance, meat quality, nitrogen utilization, plasma antioxidant and amino acids of Holstein bulls. In this case, 24 Holstein bulls (490 ± 29.0 kg of body weights and 540 ± 6.1 d of age) were blocked by body weights and age and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: (1) CON group: bulls were fed the control diet, (2) CON + NCG group: bulls were fed the control diet with 40 mg/kg BW NCG, (3) Urea group: bulls were fed the urea diet, and (4) Urea + NCG group: bulls were fed the urea diet with 40 mg/kg BW NCG. Feeding NCG significantly improved ADG, FCR, DM and CP digestibility, carcass weight, slaughter weight, DOP, eye muscle area, shear force (p = 0.001) and reduced L* of color, drip loss and cooking loss. Concurrently, feeding the urea diet induced a decreased ADG, carcass weight and slaughter weight, DOP, eye muscle area and shear force. NCG decreased contents of fecal N and urinary N, plasma urea in bulls and ammonia but increased N retention and utilization, plasma NO, plasma Arg, Leu, Ile and Tyr. On the other hand, feeding the urea diet increased urinary N, plasma urea and ammonia. Thus the study efficiently demonstrates that beef benefited from being fed a NCG product in the urea diet by enhancing its growth and slaughter performance, meat quality, nitrogen metabolism and plasma amino acids.

N-carbamoylglutamate improves lipid metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis responses in visceral adipocytes of Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus), in vivo and in vitro

This study applied in vivo and in vitro methods to investigate the effect of dietary N-carbamoylglutamate (NCG) on lipid metabolism, inflammation and apoptosis related-gene expression in visceral adipose tissue and isolated adipocytes of Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus). A basal diet and a test diet supplemented with 720 mg/kg NCG were fed to the fish for 10 weeks. During the growth trial, no mortality and no significant differences in growth performance were observed in fish between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). Plasma Arg content and mRNA level of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) in adipose tissue were significantly increased, which indicated that NCG inclusion promoted endogenous Arg synthesis. Thereafter, the potential effects of NCG treatment on lipid metabolism-related genes expression were studied through in vivo and in vitro methods. In the present study, we successfully established a primary adipocytes culture system and isolated pre-adipocytes in vitro of Japanese seabass for the first time. Both the results in vivo and in vitro showed that NCG treatment decreased the mRNA levels of genes related to adipogenesis (fatty acid synthase, FASN), cholesterol synthesis (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, HMGCR) and fat deposition (lipoprotein lipase [LPL] and leptin), which revealed the underlying mechanism of NCG on reducing fat deposition. The results of this study demonstrated that NCG inclusion reduced the expression of inflammatory and apoptosis cytokines markedly in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, NCG did exert beneficial effects on ameliorating adipogenesis, inflammation and apoptosis via promoting Arg endogenous synthesis in Japanese seabass.

Synthesis and Efficacy of the N-carbamoyl-methionine Copper on the Growth Performance, Tissue Mineralization, Immunity, and Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Immunogenic, methionine copper-induced response had proven to be precedent in providing resistance against certain diseases in fish. This study allocates the fitness strategy for Oreochromis niloticus by introducing and incorporating the well-designed, stabilized, and biocompatible N-carbamoyl-methionine copper (NCM-Cu) as a Cu potent source in diet that enhances the bioavailability and fitness. The synchronized NCM-Cu complex was characterized by directing ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Results revealed blue columnar crystalline, NCM-Cu complex with an empirical formula as C₁₂H₃₀CuN₄O₁₀S₂. Anonymously, the overall growth performance of the fish remained unaltered with NCM-Cu adjunct feed. NCM-Cu significantly raised the Cu accumulation in the fish muscles, liver, gill, and intestine in contrast to the basic Cu-rich feed. The serum antioxidant enzyme activity elevated up to (ceruloplasmin: 19.38 U/L) and the lowest liver malondialdehyde (MDA) content (8.81 nmol/mg prot.) and triglyceride content (0.39 nmol/g prot.) were observed in the NCM-Cu group as compared to the basic Cu and CuSO₄ groups, suggesting that NCM-Cu promoted antioxidative responses and alleviated lipid peroxidation of O. niloticus. Overweening, the synthesized complex, NCM-Cu significantly regulated the expression levels of lysozyme, immunoglobulin M, complement 4, and complement 3 up to 10.93 U/mL, 0.72, 0.77, and 1.18 mg/mL in serum, respectively. Thus, such endorsed results reveal the preeminence of NCM-Cu-supplemented diet for the fitness in O. niloticus.

Improvement of eggshell quality by dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation in laying chickens

Egg quality defects seriously reduce the quality grade and increase egg breakage in egg marketing activities. In this study, the effect of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on eggshell quality was investigated by evaluating calcium absorption and calcification in laying hens. A total of 30 newly hatched female Hy-Line chicks were randomly assigned to the control group (basal diet) and treatment group (basal diet supplemented with 1% NCG). At 25 wk, eggs from each group were obtained to assess egg quality parameters. Blood samples were collected for analysis of mineral, hormone, and amino acids levels at 16 h after laying egg. Uterine tissues were removed and fixed in 4% neutral paraformaldehyde solution or kept in liquid nitrogen for mineral determination, quantitative PCR, and Western blot. Results showed that the egg quality (eggshell thickness, strength and percentage, egg specific gravity, and eggshell effective thickness) was significantly increased while effective thickness of mastoid layer, width of mastoid gap, and mammillary knobs were significantly decreased by dietary NCG supplementation (P < 0.05). The levels of minerals (Ca, P, Fe, Mg, Na, K) in eggshell, plasma, and uterus were remarkably elevated (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the concentrations of calcium metabolism-related hormones (17β-estradiol, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin) were increased in the NCG group (P < 0.05). Moreover, expression of calbindin 1, carbonic anhydrase 2, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovocleidin-17, ovocleidin-116, and clusterin mRNAs, as well as calbindin 1 and ATP2A1 proteins in uterus, duodenum, and kidney, was all upregulated in hens fed with NCG (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of blood vessels in the uterus, height of uterine mucosal folds, villus length in endometrium, and areas of uterine mucosal folds were significantly increased in the NCG group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary 1% NCG supplementation during 0 to 25 wk can improve eggshell quality through changes in endometrial morphology, expression of calcium metabolism-related genes, and secretion of related hormones to promote eggshell formation in the laying hens.

Effect of Amniotic Injection of N-Carbamylglutamate on Meat Quality of Broilers

Simple Summary

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is a key activator of endogenous arginine production, which plays a vital role in meat quality and antioxidant performance. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study about NCG enhancing the meat quality of broilers. The present research was aimed at exploring the effects of amniotic injection of NCG on meat quality of pectoral muscle in broilers. The data showed that the in ovo feeding (IOF) of NCG enhanced the arginine content, improved the nutritional properties, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and improved the meat quality in the pectoral muscle of broilers. In summary, amniotic injection of NCG on day 17.5 of incubation could be an effective and novel approach to improving the meat quality of broilers.

Abstract

The current study was performed to determine the influence of amniotic injection of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on meat quality of pectoral muscle in broilers. A total of 792 alive broiler embryos at 17 d of incubation were assigned to three treatments randomly (non-injected control, saline-injected control, or NCG-injected treatment). The two injection treatments were an injection with 0.1 mL 0.85% aseptic saline alone or containing 2 mg NCG per egg at 17.5 d of incubation. After hatching, 72 healthy male chicks were selected from each treatment and housed in six pens for a 42 day feeding study. Pectoral muscles from six 42-day-old broilers were collected from each treatment group and were dissected for meat quality assays. The results showed that arginine contents in pectoral muscle in either free or hydrolytic form in the NCG group were higher than those in the non-injection control group (p < 0.05). In comparison to the non-injection or saline-injection control groups, NCG injection resulted in a lower lactic acid content in pectoral muscle (p < 0.05). Muscular antioxidant capacity in the NCG group was higher, as evidenced by the higher activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and lower content of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). In addition, the group of in ovo administration of NCG had decreased drip loss and increased crude fat content in pectoral muscle in comparison to those of either control group (p < 0.05) and had enhanced crude protein content compared to that of the saline-injection control group (p < 0.05). Briefly, these results indicate that amniotic administration of NCG in the late incubation phase increased the arginine content, improved the nutritional properties, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and improved the meat quality in the pectoral muscle of broilers. Amniotic injection of NCG may serve as a novel approach to improving the meat quality of broilers.

Selectived and Reshaped Early Dominant Microbial Community in the Cecum With Similar Proportions and Better Homogenization and Species Diversity Due to Organic Acids as AGP Alternatives Mediate Their Effects on Broilers Growth

Understanding the differences in microbial communities shaped by different food selective forces, especially during early post-hatch period, is critical to gain insight into how to select, evaluate, and improve antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) alternatives in food animals. As a model system, commercial diet-administered OAs (DOAs) and water-administered OAs (WOAs) were used separately or in combination as Virginiamycin alternatives for broiler feeding during two growth phases: 1–21 days and 22–42 days. Among these three OA-treated groups, the DOA group was most similar to the AGP group in the composition and the proportion of these dominant bacterial communities at the level of phylum, family, and genus in cecal chyme of broilers. Sub-therapeutic Virginiamycin decreased the richness, homogenization, and species diversity of gut microbiota, especially in the early growth stage from days 1 to 21. Among these three OA supplementation schemes, it was clear that DOA supplementation was more likely to increase or maintain the richness, homogenization, species diversity, and predicted gene functions of cecal microbiota in treated broilers than either no supplementation or AGP supplementation during two experimental stages. The interference of DOA treatment with early colonization of probiotics and pathogens in broiler cecum was the most similar to AGP treatment, and OAs did not cause the occurrence of Virginiamycin-resistant strains of Enterococcus at the end of this trial. In terms of the predicted gene functions of the microbiota, AGP and DOA treatments provided a similar selective force for microbial metabolism functions in the cecum of broiler chickens, especially in the early growth stage. Noticeably, the relative abundance of some microbiome that was modified by Virginiamycin or DOA supplementation was significantly correlated with body weight gain and KEGG pathway analysis-annotated gene functions such as replication and repair, translation, nucleotide metabolism, and so on. With the comprehensive analysis of these results and practical application, shortened DOA supplementation, after optimization of the amount of addition, would be a suitable alternative to sub-therapeutic Virginiamycin. It was suggested that the programed intestinal microecology under such early selection forces and the effective addition time may be the key elements to focus on the designed alternate strategies of AGPs in food animals.

Effect of dietary N-carbamylglutamate on development of ovarian follicles via enhanced angiogenesis in the chicken

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG), an analogue of N-acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG), can increase arginine synthesis in mammals and improve the reproductive performance. However, the effect of NCG on poultry laying performance is still unclear. This study investigated the effect of dietary NCG on development of chicken ovarian follicles. The dosage and timing for NCG administration were evaluated for its effect on follicular development. Results showed that supplementation with 1% NCG in the diet for 14 D led to accelerated development of growing follicles (over 60 μm in oocyte diameter) and significantly increased feed intake and feed efficiency. Plasma amino acids (AA) analysis showed that feeding with 1% NCG significantly increased of plasma AA levels. RNA-seq analysis revealed that NCG supplementation upregulated expression of genes related to angiogenesis and cell proliferation, but downregulated expression of apoptosis-related genes. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis validated the RNA-seq results. Moreover, NCG enhanced plasma NO level; upregulated expression of PKG-I, Raf1, and p-p38; and increased angiogenesis of the ovaries. In conclusion, dietary NCG (1% for 14 D) can promote development of ovarian follicles by increasing angiogenesis in ovaries of the chicken.

Determination of N-Carbamylglutamate in Feeds and Animal Products by High Performance Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG), a synthetic analogue of N-acetylglutamate, is an activator of blood ammonia conversion and endogenous arginine synthesis. Here, we established an accurate quantitative determination of NCG in feeds, animal tissues, and body fluids using the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The sample pretreatment procedures included extraction with 0.5% of formic acid in water/methanol (80/20, v/v), and purification using an anionic solid phase extraction cartridge. Satisfactory separation of NCG was achieved in 20 min with the application of an Atlantis T3 column, and a confirmative detection of NCG was ensured by multiple reaction monitoring of positive ions. NCG spiked in feeds, tissues, and body fluids were evaluated in regard to linearity, sensitivity, recovery, and repeatability. Recoveries for different sample matrices were in the range of 88.12% to 110.21% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 8.8%. Limits of quantification were within the range of 0.012 to 0.073 mg kg⁻¹ and 0.047 to 0.077 μg mL⁻¹ for solid and liquid samples, respectively. This study will provide a solid foundation for the evaluation of availability and metabolic mechanism of NCG in animals.