Gene Expression Provides New Insight into Trace Mineral Performance in Broilers 

While NOVUS has results from over 500 trials demonstrating how MINTREX® Bis-Chelated Trace Minerals performs in different scenarios, the poultry industry is never short on new conditions to test proven solutions. 

A recent study (Romero et at., 2026) performed in conjunction with BIOFRACTAL shows how advanced molecular tools can clarify the biological mechanisms behind trace mineral nutrition in broilers. The study shows how gene expression helps explain performance responses to bis-chelated zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) when combined with different copper (Cu) sources under challenge conditions. 

The 49-day broiler study was designed to evaluate whether bis-chelated Zn and Mn sources (as MINTREX® Bis-Chelated Trace Minerals) could replace inorganic Zn and Mn sources. The trial also examined how these Zn and Mn sources interacted with three Cu programs commonly used in commercial production. Copper was supplied as tri-basic copper chloride (TBCC) at 125 ppm, bis-chelated Cu at 30 ppm, or copper sulfate at 10 ppm. Zinc and Mn were provided either as sulfates at 100 ppm Zn and 100 ppm Mn, or as bis-chelates at 40 ppm Zn and 40 ppm Mn. To reflect commercial stress conditions, birds were challenged with a five-times coccidia vaccine dose.  

The study found that high copper inclusion, whether from TBCC at 125 ppm or bis-chelated Cu at 30 ppm, was associated with greater average daily gain and more favorable feed conversion ratio (FCR) at 28 days compared with the low copper sulfate group at 10 ppm. Birds receiving bis-chelated Cu at the lower inclusion rate showed maintained performance comparable to birds fed the higher TBCC level, while also showing fewer proventricular lesions at the end of the study. 

Across all copper programs, replacing inorganic Zn and Mn with bis-chelated sources resulted in consistent performance responses. Broilers fed bis-chelated Zn and Mn showed greater bodyweight at 28 days and more favorable average daily gain and FCR from 14 to 28 days compared with birds fed sulfate forms. There were also nosignificant interactions detected, indicating that the response to bis-chelated Zn and Mn was consistent regardless of copper source or amount. 

Perhaps most importantly, the study showed bis-chelated Cu at just 30 ppm was equivalent to feeding TBCC at 125 ppm and bis-chelated Zn and Mn at 40 ppm could effectively replace 100 ppm inorganic sources while supporting growth, feed efficiency and gut health. 

Understanding the results 

Liver and muscle samples were collected at 28 days from birds fed the higher Cu diets. Messenger RNA sequencing and downstream pathway analysis revealed that bis-chelated Zn and Mn upregulated liver genes and associated pathways closely linked with energy utilization and anabolic metabolism. In muscle tissue, bis-chelated Zn and Mn were associated with reduced expression of genes related to amino acid catabolism, supporting lean tissue accretion. 

Gene analysis also showed that bis-chelated Cu influenced hepatic genes involved in iron and Cu transport, and pathways related to cellular stress sensitivity and nutrient-driven anabolic signaling. In birds fed TBCC, the inclusion of bis-chelated Zn and Mn was associated with activating genes related to protein accretion, reduced amino acid degradation and lower lipid metabolism, and reduced energy demand.  

Importantly, the use of gene expression analysis provides a clearer biological explanation for how bis-chelated trace minerals function within the bird. This information can help nutritionists make more informed decisions about trace mineral programs under commercial challenge conditions.