Effects of phyto‐oestrogen quercetin on productive performance,hormones, reproductive organs and apoptotic genes in laying hens

Quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid with diverse biological activities including anti‐inflammatory and antiviral, inhibits lipid peroxidation, prevents oxidative injury and cell death. The purpose of the research was to investigate the effect of quercetin on productive performance, reproductive organs, hormones and apoptotic genes in laying hens between 37 and 45 weeks of age, because of the structure and oestrogenic activities similar to 17β‐oestradiol. The trial was conducted using 240 Hessian laying hens (37 weeks old), housed in wire cages with two hens in each cage. These hens were randomly allotted to four treatments with six replicates, 10 hens in each replicate and fed with diets containing quercetin as 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg feed for 8 weeks. The results showed that dietary quercetin significantly increased (p < .05) the laying rate and was higher in group supplemented with 0.4 g/kg, and feed‐egg ratio was decreased (p < .05) by quercetin. Dietary quercetin has no effect (p > .05) on average egg weight and average daily feed intake. Compared with control, secretion of hormones, oestradiol (E₂)_, progesterone (P4), follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin‐like growth factors‐1 (IGF‐1) and growth hormone (GH), was found to be significantly higher (p < .05) in quercetin‐supplemented groups. Also ovary index, uterus index and oviduct index were not significantly influenced (p > .05) by quercetin, whereas magnum index, isthmus index, magnum length, isthmus length and follicle numbers were significantly increased (p < .05) with quercetin supplementation. Additionally, expression of apoptotic genes was significantly (p < .05) up‐regulated or down‐regulated by quercetin. These results indicated that quercetin improved productive performance, and its mechanism may be due to the oestrogen‐like activities of quercetin.     

The effects of dietary calcium iodate on productive performance,egg quality and iodine accumulation in eggs of laying hens

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of various levels of supplemental calcium iodate (CI) on productive performance, egg quality, blood indices and iodine (I) accumulation in the eggs in commercial laying hens. A total of 240 White Leghorn layers (Hy‐line W36) were divided through a completely randomized design into six treatments with five replicates and eight hens per each at 32 weeks of age. This experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Concentrations of I in the mash diets were 0.74, 3.13, 5.57, 8.11, 10.65 and 12.94 mg I/kg of feed in treatments 1–6 respectively. The added doses of CI were included 0.0 (control), 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 mg/kg of diet for treatments 1–6 respectively. There were no significant differences in productive performance among the treatments. The highest eggshell strength was observed in group fed diet containing 3.13 mg I/kg (p = .014). The highest percentage of calcium and lowest percentage of phosphorus in eggshell were observed in group fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg (p = .0001). Feeding hens with diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg increased serum triiodothyronine‐to‐thyroxine ratio (p = .0001). Serum alanine aminotransferase activity in hens fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg was significantly more than control (p = .041). Blood Serum triglycerides in hens fed diet containing 8.11 mg I/kg were significantly higher than control (p = .0001). Edible fraction of the eggs of birds fed diet containing 12.94 mg I/kg was enriched by I almost 3 times more than those fed diet containing 0.74 mg I/kg. The results suggested that egg production, egg mass, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected by dietary I levels. Iodine accumulation in the eggs were increased by increasing dietary I levels and the level of 10 mg/kg CI could supply I enrichment of the eggs.     

Effects of an aqueous alfalfa extract on production performance, egg quality and lipid metabolism of laying hens

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of an aqueous alfalfa extract (AAE) on production performance, egg quality and lipid metabolism of laying hens between 28 and 36 weeks of age. Four groups of commercial hens (Hy-Line Brown) were fed with diets containing 0, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15% AAE. Dietary AAE had no effect on egg production parameters (p > 0.05). Shell strength was increased (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05) with gradient addition of AAE. Furthermore, shell strength was notably higher (p < 0.05) in 0.1% and 0.15% AAE groups than the control group. With an exception of serum low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum total triglycerides and liver cholesterol concentration (day 42), lipid indices in yolk, serum and liver were lowered (linear and quadratic effects; p < 0.05) at day 42 and day 56 as AAE in diets increased, as well as the enzyme activities of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase. In relation to the control group, cholesterol and triglycerides in yolk, liver and serum and serum very low density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower in 0.15% AAE-treated birds at day 42 and day 56. It also significantly decreased activities of ACC, HMG-CoA reductase and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) at day 56. The 0.1% AAE decreased triglycerides in yolk, liver and serum, as well as the activities of ACC and FAS at day 56. These data suggest that dietary AAE could be applied to improve egg shell quality and modify the lipid status of laying hens and eggs.     

Digestibility,productive performance,and egg quality of laying hens as affected by dried cassava pulp replacement with corn and enzyme supplementation

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the potential use of dried cassava pulp (DCP) supplemented with enzymes as an alternative feed ingredient in laying hen diets. In experiment 1, 45 laying hens (Isa Brown) aged 45 weeks were placed in individual cages to measure nutrient digestibility for 10 days. Nine dietary treatments were control and DCP as a replacement for corn at 20, 25, 30, and 35% supplemented with mixed enzymes (cellulase, glucanase, and xylanase) at 0.10 and 0.15%. Results showed that the use of DCP at 20–35% added with mixed enzymes had no negative effects on dry matter digestibility, while organic matter digestibility and nitrogen retention decreased with increased DCP up to 30–35% in diets. Both enzyme levels (0.10 and 0.15%) showed similar results on nutrient digestibility and retention. In experiment 2, a total of 336 laying hens aged 32 weeks were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments (control and DCP-substituted diets at 20, 25, and 30%) supplemented with mixed enzymes (0.10 and 0.15%). Diets incorporated with 20–30% of DCP and supplemented with mixed enzymes at both levels had no significant effects on egg production, egg weight, feed intake, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, or egg quality, except for egg yolk color being decreased with an increase of DCP in diets (P?<?0.05). In conclusion, it is suggested that DCP supplemented with enzymes can be used as an energy source in laying hen diets up to 30% without showing negative effects on nutrient digestibility, productive performance, or egg quality.     

葛根粉对林地蛋鸡产蛋性能和脂代谢的影响

文章旨在评估药用原料对林地饲养蛋鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质和脂代谢相关指标的影响.试验将570只产蛋率接近的40周龄海兰褐壳蛋鸡随机分为3组,每组5个重复,每个重复38只鸡.在林地饲养条件下,蛋鸡每天有1个小时开放活动时间(各重复均有特定划分的区域),试验8周内自由采食以玉米和豆粕为主的日粮,3组日粮分别添加0、50和100?...     

Organic trace minerals on productive performance,egg quality and immune response in Bovans White laying hens

This study was performed in 360 laying Bovans White hens and aimed to evaluate the effect of Carbo‐Amino‐Phosphate‐Chelates (CAFQ) as a mineral premix and its 30% reduction by compared to inorganic trace minerals (ITM) concerning its performance, egg quality, tibia breaking strength and immunity. Sixty‐week‐old hens were assigned into three treatments with 10 replicates of 12 birds each. Treatments were as follows: (a) (100% ITM), (b) (100% CAFQ) and (c) (70% CAFQ). Based on the results obtained during 12 weeks, under the current test conditions, improved yolk colour (p < 0.05); shell breaking strength (p < 0.05); and storage time (p < 0.05) were observed in hens fed with a diet reduced by 70% in CAFQ inclusion showed similar performance behaviour and better egg breaking strength regarding with ITM, suggesting the possibility of minimizing the inclusion of trace minerals in laying hen diets improving environmental impact, in contrast to the use of inorganic sources of minerals.     

槲皮素对蛋鸡产蛋后期蛋品质的影响

选用体重和产蛋率相近的39周龄海赛白壳蛋鸡240只,随机分4组,每组6个重复,每重复10只鸡,分别在玉米-豆粕饲粮基础上添加0%、0.02%、0.04%、0.06%槲皮素饲喂蛋鸡,研究槲皮素对蛋品质的影响。结果表明,与对照组相比,不同添加水平槲皮素对蛋形指数、蛋壳强度、蛋清中蛋白质含量、蛋黄中粗脂肪含量及血清中胆固醇和血磷含量均无显著影响(P>0.05);0.04%和0.06%槲皮素组蛋壳厚度(P<0.01)、哈氏单位(P<0.01)、蛋黄总磷脂(P<0.01)及血清中总蛋白(P<0.05)和血钙(P<0.05)含量均显著提高;不同添加水平槲皮素对蛋黄颜色影响均极显著(P<0.01);0.04%槲皮素组蛋黄中蛋白质含量显著提高(P<0.05);0.06%槲皮素组蛋黄中胆固醇含量极显著降低(P<0.01),但与其他两个添加水平组无显著差异(P>0.05);0.06%槲皮素组血清中尿素氮含量显著降低(P<0.05);0.04%槲皮素组血清中尿酸含量显著降低(P<0.05)。综上所述,槲皮素可有效改善蛋鸡产蛋后期的蛋品质,其最适添加水平为0.04%。     

Effect of dietary dried milky sludge on productive performance and egg quality in laying Japanese quails

The experiment was conducted to study the effectiveness of dried milky sludge (DMS) as a feed source for laying Japanese quails. The DMS was incorporated into the experimental diets at levels of 0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0%. Four hundred quails were used in a completely randomized design. The results revealed that the daily egg-laying rate, feed cost/100 egg weight, egg width, egg length, egg weight, shell quality characteristics in terms of breaking time, Young's modulus, work, max force, fracturability, breaking stress, stiffness and power, as well as color intensity and yolk height improved significantly with increasing levels of DMS in the diet ( P  < 0.05), while feed intake/bird/day, mortality and eggshell thickness showed no significant differences ( P  > 0.05). From this experiment, it was found that DMS incorporated into the experimental diet at the 20.0% level yielded the most productive performance and best egg quality.     

酵母硒对绿壳蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质、抗氧化能力及蛋黄硒含量的影响

试验选用270只44周龄健康江西东乡黑羽绿壳蛋鸡,随机分成3组,每组5个重复,每个重复18只鸡,采用单因子完全随机试验设计,1组为对照组,2、3组在饲喂相同基础日粮基础上分别以酵母硒形式添加Se 0、0.25、0.50 mg/kg,预试期7 d,正试期28 d。结果表明,在基础日粮中添加0.25、0.50 mg/kg对平均蛋重、产蛋率、合格蛋率、料蛋比和死淘率均无显著影响(P>0.05),可极显著减缓蛋在贮存过程中蛋白质品质的下降(P<0.01),极显著升高蛋黄中硒的含量(P<0.01);显著或极显著提高蛋鸡血清总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性(P<0.05或P<0.01)和总抗氧化能力(P<0.01),极显著降低血清丙二醛含量(P<0.01)。综合考虑,基础日粮中酵母硒的适宜添加量为0.25 mg/kg。     

Differences among six Salmonella serovars in abilities to colonize reproductive organs and to contaminate eggs in laying hens

The abilities of Salmonella serovars to colonize the reproductive organs of chickens and to contaminate eggs were compared. Mature laying hens were inoculated intravenously with 10(5) colony-forming units of Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella infantis, Salmonella hadar, Salmonella heidelberg, or Salmonella montevideo to cause the systemic infection. Salmonella enteritidis was recovered from three yolks of the laid eggs (7.0%), suggesting egg contamination from the transovarian transmission of S. enteritidis. The liver, spleen, and cecum were colonized by each serovar similarly at 4 or 7 days postinoculation (PI), whereas the ovary and preovulatory follicles were colonized by S. enteritidis with significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels than by the other serovars at 4 and 7 days PI. Salmonella enteritidis was recovered from the cloaca and vagina at 2, 4, and 7 days PI and from the other portions of the oviduct at 4 and 7 days PI. In addition, S. enteritidis had been persistent in the peripheral blood for 7 days PI. These results suggest that S. enteritidis is the predominant serovar to colonize the reproductive organs of mature laying hens among six serovars used in this study, reflecting the field situatibn in which the predominant outbreaks of human salmonellosis were caused by S. enteritidis-contaminated eggs recently. The ability of S. enteritidis to colonize the reproductive organs may be one of the reasons that egg contamination with S. enteritidis has increased.     

大豆低聚糖对蛋鸡脂质代谢和抗氧化能力的影响

选择240只34周龄的健康商品代海兰褐壳蛋鸡,随机分为4组,每组3个重复,每个重复20只鸡,分别在其日粮中添加0%、0.1%、0.2%和0.3%的纯度为30%的大豆低聚糖,探讨其对产蛋高峰期蛋鸡脂质代谢和抗氧化能力的影响.试验期为56 d.结果表明:添加大豆低聚糖可以降低蛋鸡血清中总胆固醇(T-CHO)(P<0.05)、甘油三酯(TG)(P>0.05)和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平(P<0.05),提高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平(P<0.05),以0.30%添加组效果最好;添加大豆低聚糖可以提高蛋鸡血清中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)含量(P<0.05),降低丙二醛(MDA)含量(P>0.05).     

Dietary supplementation of porcine bile acids improves laying performance,serum lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in latephase laying hens

Due to the exceptional laying performance of hens, the demand on lipid metabolism and oxidation in vivo is vigorous, resulting in excessive lipid accumulation in late-phase hens, which lowers the production performance. Bile acids regulate lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in humans and animals.However, the effect of porcine bile acids on lipid metabolism and cecal microbiota in laying hens in the late phase is still unclear. A total of 360 healthy 45-week-old laying hens were chosen for a 24-...     

Impact of supplementing diets with propolis on productive performance,egg quality traits and some haematological variables of laying hens

One hundred and twenty eight, 28‐weeks‐old Lohmann LSL hybrid layers were used in this experiment, which lasted 12 weeks to investigate the effect of propolis supplementation on the productive performance, egg quality traits and haematological variables of laying hens. All hens were randomly classified into four equal experimental groups, eight replicates (4 birds/each). Hens in group 1 were fed on a commercial diet and considered as control group, while those in groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on the same commercial diet and supplemented with 250, 500 and 1000 mg propolis/kg diet. The obtained results revealed that daily feed consumption/hen increased insignificantly with increasing propolis level than that of the control group. Regarding the means of egg mass and egg production rate, it was observed that the laying hens fed diets containing 250 and 1000 mg propolis/kg significantly (p < 0.05) produced more and heaver egg in comparison with control group. External egg quality traits have not affected with increasing the level of propolis, while eggshell weight was significantly (p < 0.05) increased. The internal egg quality traits except albumen and yolk percentages increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing propolis level for treated hens as compared to those in the control. Concerning the haematological parameters, the results showed that the levels of total protein and globulin increased significantly with increasing propolis level, while cholesterol and liver enzymes were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Heterophils count of hens in the treated groups significantly decreased, whereas the lymphocyte count significantly increased, resulting in a decreased H/L ratio than that of the control group. Thus, it could be concluded that the supplementation of 250 mg propolis/kg diet is highly recommended to improving egg production, blood constituent and haematological parameters of the commercial laying hens.     

鲜饲金荞麦对热应激蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和血清指标的影响

本试验旨在研究鲜饲金荞麦对热应激条件下的长顺绿壳蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和血清指标的影响。采用完全随机试验设计,将300只鸡分为5个处理组:C组(基础饲粮)、T₁组(基础饲粮+5%金荞麦)、T₂组(基础饲粮+10%金荞麦)、T₃组(基础饲粮+15%金荞麦)和T₄组(基础饲粮+20%金荞麦),每个处理5个重复,每个重复12只鸡。将所有用于试验的鸡只暴露于(31.4±1.5) ℃的高温环境下发生自然热应激。记录和统计每月平均采食量、蛋重和产蛋数,并测定试验末各处理鸡蛋的表观品质、全蛋氨基酸和蛋黄脂肪酸含量,以及蛋鸡的血清激素水平、炎症因子和内毒素浓度。结果表明,T₁组在试验第2个月的产蛋率显著高于其余处理组(P<0.05),C、T₁和T₂的产蛋率在第3个月和全期差异不显著(P>0.05);C和T₁的蛋黄颜色等级显著低于其余处理组(P<0.05);T₃组全蛋中的异亮氨酸含量最高,T₃和T₄组的蛋氨酸含量较高(P<0.05),而C组的多不饱和脂肪酸显著高于其他处理组(P<0.05);C组蛋鸡的肾上腺皮质激素和皮质酮浓度显著高于试验组(P<0.05),相反,C组的皮质酮和黄体生成素显著低于试验组(P<0.05),试验组白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子α和血清内毒素均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。因此,饲粮中添加10%的鲜饲金荞麦对热应激条件下长顺绿壳蛋鸡的平均产蛋率无负面影响,加深了蛋黄颜色;改善了全蛋氨基酸组成和含量,但对蛋黄脂肪酸组成有负面影响;提高了血清促卵泡素和黄体生成素含量;降低了血清炎症因子和内毒素水平。     

甪里艾叶粉对蛋鸡产蛋性能与蛋品质的影响

为了研究甪里艾叶粉对蛋鸡产蛋性能与蛋品质的影响,试验选用50周龄健康状况良好、生产性能相近的海兰褐蛋鸡288只,随机分为四组,一个对照组,三个试验组,各组甪里艾叶粉分别添加0、1%、2%、3%,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡,预试期为7 d,试验时间为42 d。结果显示:(1)甪里艾叶粉对产蛋性能的影响:试验各组的平均日产蛋重均高于对照组(P0.05),分别提高了2.62%、3.58%、2.41%;随着艾叶粉添加量的增加,平均日采食量显著减少(P0.05),分别减少了2.76%、3.29%、3.62%;试验各组料重比均显著低于对照组(P0.05),分别降低了5.10%、6.63%、5.61%;随着甪里艾叶粉添加量的增加,产蛋率分别提高了2.85%(P0.05)、3.99%(P0.01)、5.93%(P0.01)。试验各组的蛋重与对照组均无显著差异(P0.05)。(2)甪里艾叶粉对蛋品质的影响:甪里艾叶粉可显著提高蛋的比重(P0.05),其中添加量为2%时差异极显著(P0.01)。各组间的蛋形指数、哈氏单位、蛋黄颜色差异均不显著(P0.05)。但试验各组的蛋白高度分别提高了8.92%(P0.05)、11.29%(P0.05)、10.21%(P0.05),哈氏单位则相应提高了4.51%、5.67%、5.69%。各组间的蛋壳指标差异不显著(P0.05)。试验各组的蛋白比率、蛋黄比率差异不显著(P0.05),随着甪里艾叶粉添加量的增加,蛋壳比率逐渐降低,其中添加2%和3%的甪里艾叶粉可显著降低蛋壳比率(P0.05)。甪里艾叶粉可以改善海兰褐蛋鸡的产蛋性能,蛋的比重和蛋白高度显著提高,蛋壳比率呈降低的趋势。     

芽孢杆菌制剂对蛋鸡产蛋性能、血清相关指标及肠道菌群的影响

将480只30周龄海赛克斯褐壳蛋鸡随机分成4组,每组4个重复,每个重复30只鸡。对照组（Ⅰ组）饲喂基础日粮,试验组（Ⅱ～Ⅳ）分别在基础日粮中添加100、200、300mg／kg水平的芽孢杆菌制剂。结果显示,Ⅱ组产蛋率显著高于Ⅰ组和Ⅳ组（P〈O．05）,料蛋比有所降低但不显著（P〉0．05）。Ⅱ组白蛋白和血糖含量显著高于Ⅰ组和Ⅳ组（P〈0．05）,芽孢杆菌对总蛋白、尿酸、总胆固醇和甘油三酯无显著性影响（P〉0．05）。各试验组ⅠgA和IgG含量均比对照组有所提高,但差异不显著（P〉0．05）。Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组C3浓度显著高于Ⅰ组（P〈0．05）,Ⅱ组C4浓度显著高于Ⅰ组和Ⅳ组（P〈0．05）。Ⅱ组和Ⅲ组回肠大肠杆菌的数量较Ⅰ组显著降低（P〈0．05）,乳酸杆菌显著提高（P〈O．05）。结果表明,芽孢杆菌制剂能够改善蛋鸡的生产性能,提高机体免疫力,促进肠道健康;蛋鸡日粮中添加100mg／kg芽孢杆菌制剂效果最佳。     

复方中药超微粉对蛋鸡脂类代谢及生产性能的影响

旨在研究日粮中添加复方中药超微粉对蛋鸡脂类代谢及生产性能的影响。选取135羽300日龄海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分成3组,每组3个重复,每个重复15羽。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组Ⅰ、Ⅱ分别在基础日粮中添加1%复方中药超微粉Ⅰ、Ⅱ。试验60d。结果表明:与对照组比较,鸡蛋胆固醇、血清TG、TC、肝脂率:试验组Ⅰ、Ⅱ均显著下降(P0.05);血清LDL-C、腹脂率、胸肌率:试验组Ⅰ显著下降(P0.05),而血清HDL-C:试验组Ⅰ显著上升(P0.05),且试验组Ⅱ均变化不明显(P0.05);腿肌率和采食量各组间无明显变化(P0.05);产蛋率:试验组均显著上升(P0.05);死淘率:试验组Ⅰ显著下降(P0.05),试验组Ⅱ变化不明显(P0.05)。结果显示:基础日粮中添加复方中药超微粉Ⅰ、Ⅱ后均能改善脂类代谢,降低鸡蛋胆固醇含量,同时改善生产性能,但以复方Ⅰ效果更佳。