Effect of dietary supplementation of organic zinc on laying performance,egg quality and some biochemical parameters of laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of zinc methionine (Zn‐Met) supplementation on the performance, egg quality, antioxidant status and some biochemical parameters of blood serum in laying hens from 22 to 34 weeks of age. A total of 120 Hisex Brown laying hens of 22‐week‐old were randomly allocated into five treatments with six cage replicates for each (four hens/replicate). Dietary treatments consisted of the basal diet with no Zn‐Met supplementation (control group) and basal diet supplemented with 25, 50, 75 or 100 mg Zn‐Met/kg diet. No significant differences were observed on body weight, body weight gain or feed conversion ratio due to dietary Zn‐Met supplementation. However, highly significant impact was observed on daily feed intake. Egg number, egg weight and egg mass were increased in the group fed diet supplemented with the highest level of Zn‐Met (100 mg/kg of diet) as compared to other groups. All egg quality traits were statistically (p > .05 or .01) affected as a response to dietary Zn‐Met supplementation except egg shape index, shell percentage and yolk index. In comparison with the control group, dietary supplementation of 25, 50, 75 or 100 mg Zn‐Met/kg decreased serum triglyceride and LDL‐cholesterol levels. Serum cholesterol level was increased with all dietary levels of Zn‐Met in comparison with the control group. Dietary Zn‐Met supplementation increased the serum content of zinc, where the highest values were recorded with 50 and 100 mg Zn‐Met/kg diet. Dietary Zn‐Met levels did not affect the antioxidant indices in blood serum except for the activity of copper–zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu‐Zn‐SOD). The activity of Cu‐Zn‐SOD was increased with Zn‐Met supplementations with no differences among supplemental zinc levels. It is concluded that dietary Zn‐Met supplementation reduced serum triglyceride, LDL‐cholesterol and increased Zn status and resulted in promoting antioxidant ability of laying hens, and the addition of 100 mg Zn‐Met/kg to layer diet was appropriate for improving the above parameters in addition to egg production indices and Haugh unit score.     

Influence of dietary boron supplementation on some serum metabolites and egg-yolk cholesterol in laying hens

The influence of dietary boron (B) supplementation on some serum parameters and egg-yolk cholesterol was studied in laying hens. A total of 224 eighteen-week-old hens of the Hyline Brown 98 strain were assigned to 7 groups with 4 replicates of 8 hens each after 10 days of adaptation, and they were fed commercial diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg (diet) B (H3BO3) for 8 weeks. Serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activity, albumin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels were decreased with all B levels. Except in the group receiving 5 mg/kg B supplementation, decreases were found in serum triglycerides in all groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity was decreased in the groups receiving 100 mg/kg or higher levels of B. All levels of B supplementation increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity at weeks 21 and 22, while 10 mg/kg or higher levels of B increased serum globulin, urea and egg-yolk cholesterol levels. The results demonstrate that B supplementation at levels exceeding 5 mg/kg affects serum biochemical parameters and increases egg-yolk cholesterol in laying hens.     

Feeding diets supplemented with zinc and vitamin A in laying hens: effects on histopathological findings and tissue mineral contents

The effects of different dietary levels of zinc and vitamin A on tissue mineral accumulation and histopathological alterations were examined in laying hens. For this purpose, 130 Hisex brown laying hens aged 56 weeks were divided into two main groups. Each group of hens were fed on diets supplemented with two different levels of vitamin A (0-10,000 IU kg(-1)). Then, laying hens in both of the main groups were subdivided into five treatment groups given different levels of zinc (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg(-1)) for 12 weeks. Dietary additions of zinc and/or vitamin A did not significantly affect the zinc concentrations of the pancreas, liver, gizzard, thyroid, and copper concentrations of the pancreas, gizzard, and thyroid. The group fed the highest zinc (200 mg kg(-1)) in the diet had twofold iron concentration in their thyroid tissue compared to the concentration of the control group receiving no extra zinc. Histopathologically, there was slight oedema, degranulation, and vacuolation in exocrine cells and some fibrotic areas in the pancreas and reduced follicular size. Follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia occurred in the thyroids, and gizzard erosions were seen in some cases.     

日粮添加不同水平硫酸锌对京红蛋鸡免疫机能和蛋品质的影响

本试验通过研究日粮中添加不同水平硫酸锌对京红蛋鸡免疫机能和蛋品质的影响,探索京红蛋鸡饲料中锌的适宜添加量。选择20周龄540只健康产蛋高峰期的京红蛋鸡,随机分为6个处理组,每个处理6个重复,每个重复15只鸡,分别饲喂6种不同日粮：T1组饲喂基础日粮（对照组,含锌25 mg/kg）;T2、T3、T4、T5、T6组分别在基础日粮中添加25、50、75、100和125 mg/kg硫酸锌（以锌计）,预饲期2周,试验期24周。每4周统计破蛋率;分别在33周龄和45周龄末测定蛋品质、血清抗氧化指标和免疫功能相关指标。结果显示：与对照组相比,添加25~125 mg/kg硫酸锌对京红蛋鸡破蛋率、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度、浓蛋白高度、哈夫单位和蛋黄颜色,血清碱性磷酸酶（ALP）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性,IgM、IgA含量和新城疫抗体滴度,免疫器官绝对重和免疫器官指数,肝脏铜锌超氧化物歧化酶（CuZn-SOD）活性均无显著影响（P>0.05）,但极显著提高了33周龄末京红蛋鸡血清IgG含量（P<0.01）。综合考虑各因素,产蛋高峰期京红蛋鸡日粮中硫酸锌适宜添加量推荐为75 mg/kg。     

维生素E对免疫抑制产蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的调控效应

试验探讨维生素E对免疫抑制蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的调控效应,选取健康的尼克褐产蛋鸡270只,随机等分为5组,每组3个重复,每重复18只。第Ⅰ组为对照组,第Ⅱ~Ⅴ组为免疫抑制组,对第Ⅱ~Ⅴ组鸡在试验第5、6、7 d进行腿部肌肉注射80 mg/kgBW环磷酰胺(CTX),第Ⅰ组注射等量生理盐水。Ⅰ、Ⅱ组饲喂基础日粮(维生素E含量44.59 mg/kg),Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ组在基础日粮中分别添加50、100、200 mg/kg维生素E。结果显示:①免疫抑制产蛋鸡的产蛋率、平均蛋重和平均日采食量显著降低(P<0.05),破蛋率显著升高(P<0.05)。基础日粮中添加50 mg/kg维生素E显著提高免疫抑制产蛋鸡的产蛋率、平均蛋重和平均日采食量(P<0.05),但仍低于对照组Ⅰ(P<0.05);显著降低料蛋比和破蛋率(P<0.05)。②免疫抑制产蛋鸡的蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度和哈氏单位显著降低(P<0.05),蛋形指数和蛋黄颜色无显著改变(P>0.05);50 mg/kg维生素E添加量显著提高免疫抑制产蛋鸡的蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度和哈氏单位(P<0.05),与对照组Ⅰ无显著差异(P>0.05)。因此,免疫抑制显著降低产蛋鸡的生产性能和蛋品质;基础日粮中添加维生素E对免疫抑制蛋鸡的生产性能和蛋品质具有明显的调控效应,且以50 mg/kg添加量效果较好。     

葡萄原花青素对产蛋后期蛋鸡生产性能和抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究葡萄原花青素(grape procyanidins,GPC)对产蛋后期蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及血浆、肝脏和蛋黄抗氧化能力的影响。选取产蛋率、体重相近,健康状态良好的64周龄罗曼蛋鸡288只,随机分为4组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。对照组:饲喂基础饲粮;GPC50组和GPC100组:分别在基础饲粮中添加50和100 mg/kg的GPC;抗氧化剂特丁基对苯二酚(tert-butyl hydroquinone,TBHQ)组:基础饲粮+200 mg/kg TBHQ。预试期7 d,正试期56 d。结果表明:1)GPC显著抑制了产蛋后期蛋鸡产蛋率和鸡蛋哈夫单位下降(P0.05),显著增加了蛋壳厚度(P0.05)。2)GPC50组蛋鸡血浆和肝脏总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活性和总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)均显著提高(P0.05),血浆和肝脏丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低(P0.05);TBHQ显著提高了蛋鸡血浆T-SOD活性(P0.05),显著降低了肝脏M DA含量(P0.05)。3)GPC显著提高了蛋黄T-SOD活性(P0.05),显著降低了蛋黄M DA和胆固醇含量(P0.05);TBHQ显著降低了蛋黄M DA含量(P0.05)。综上,饲粮添加GPC可改善产蛋后期蛋鸡产蛋率和哈夫单位,增加蛋壳厚度,改善机体抗氧化能力,其中以50 mg/kg GPC添加效果较好,优于200 mg/kg TBHQ。     

Optimal dietary concentration of vitamin E for alleviating the effect of heat stress on egg production in laying hens.

1. The effects of different dietary concentrations of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) were investigated on laying hens exposed to chronic heat stress at 32 degrees C from 26 to 30 weeks of age. 2. Diets containing 5 dietary concentrations of vitamin E (a control diet containing 10 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg or this diet supplemented to contain 125, 250, 375 and 500 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg) were fed to 335 birds. Half of the birds received the supplemented diets for only 4 weeks before the heat stress period (short supplementation duration, SSD) and were fed on the control diet for a further 12 weeks. The remaining birds were fed on the supplemented diets throughout the experiment, 4 weeks before, 4 weeks during and 8 weeks after the heat stress period (long supplementation duration, LSD). 3. Egg production was significantly higher during (80-6 vs 68.9%, P<0.02) and after (75.3 vs 62.7%, P<0.02) the period of stress in the LSD group fed on the diet containing 250 mg vitamin E/kg compared with the group fed on the control diet. LSD birds given 375 and 500 mg vitamin E/kg also had higher egg production than control birds during heat stress but the differences failed to reach significance (74.6 vs 68.9% and 77.1 vs 68.9% respectively). In the SSD groups, mean egg production of the birds given the diets supplemented with 125 mg vitamin E/kg or more was significantly different from the control group after heat stress (70.3 vs 62.7%, P<0.05). Egg weight and food intake were similar in all the groups. 4. Plasma and liver vitamin E concentrations were proportional to the vitamin E intake before the stress period, dropped during heat stress in the SSD groups but were maintained at concentrations closer to those observed before heat stress in the LSD groups. 5. It is concluded that a dietary supplement of 250 mg vitamin E/kg provided before, during and after heat stress is optimum for alleviating, at least in part, the adverse effects of chronic heat stress in laying hens.     

苜草素对蛋鸡胆固醇代谢的影响及其基因调控机制

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平苜草素对蛋鸡胆固醇代谢的影响,并探讨其基因表达调控机制。选取体重和产蛋率相近的26周龄尼克蛋鸡540只,随机分为5组,每组6个重复,每个重复18只。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加300、600、900、1 200 mg/kg的苜草素。预试期7 d,正试期70 d。结果表明:1)试验第35天和第70天,900 mg/kg苜草素组的蛋黄胆固醇含量显著低于对照组(P0.05)。2)与对照组相比,900 mg/kg苜草素组显著升高了蛋鸡血清中高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)含量和高密度脂蛋白/低密度脂蛋白(HDL/LDL)(P0.05),各组蛋鸡血清中总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量差异均不显著(P0.05)。3)与对照组相比,600、900、1 200 mg/kg苜草素组显著降低了蛋鸡肝脏中3-羟基-3-甲基戊二酸单酰辅酶A还原酶(HMGCR)mRNA表达量(P0.05),900和1 200 mg/kg苜草素组显著升高了蛋鸡肝脏组织中胆固醇7α-羟化酶(CYP7A1)mRNA表达量(P0.05)。各组蛋鸡肝脏中固醇结合蛋白元件-2(SERBP-2)和卵巢中卵黄蛋白原受体(OVR)mRNA表达量无显著差异(P0.05)。综上,饲粮中添加苜草素降低了蛋黄胆固醇和全蛋胆固醇含量,其调控机制可能是通过抑制蛋鸡胆固醇的内源性合成和促进胆固醇向胆汁酸的转化排泄2种途径来实现。本试验推荐26~35周龄蛋鸡苜草素添加水平为900 mg/kg。     

硒和铬对蛋鸡脂质代谢及鸡蛋硒含量的影响

本试验旨在研究在蛋鸡日粮中添加酵母硒和吡啶羧酸铬及其互作对蛋鸡生产性能、脂质代谢及鸡蛋品质的影响.选用320只45周龄海赛克斯蛋鸡随机分为4组,每组4个重复,每个重复20只鸡,在基础口粮中分别添加0 mg/kg吡啶羧酸铬(Ⅰ组)、0.4 mg/kg吡啶羧酸铬(Ⅱ组)、0.5 mg/kg酵母硒(Ⅲ组)、0.4 mg/kg吡啶羧酸铬+0.5 mg/kg酵母硒(Ⅳ组),预饲1周,试验从46周龄持续到50周龄,试验期5周(35 d).结果表明,Ⅲ、Ⅳ组产蛋率极显著提高,料蛋比极显著降低(P<0.01).Ⅱ、Ⅳ组血清总胆固醇含量极显著降低(P<0.01),Ⅲ、Ⅳ组血清高密度胆固醇含量极显著升高(P<0.01).Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组蛋黄中的胆固醇含量与Ⅰ组差异极显著(P<0.01).Ⅲ、Ⅳ组与Ⅰ、Ⅱ组相比,鸡蛋硒含量极显著升高(P<0.01).Ⅲ、Ⅳ组在试验开始到第2周末鸡蛋硒含量极显著升高(P<0.01),从第2周末到第5周末,硒含量基本稳定,4个组均进入平台期.结果显示,吡啶羧酸铬极显著降低了血清及蛋黄中的胆固醇含量.酵母硒极显著提高了产蛋率,降低了料蛋比,并降低了蛋黄中胆固醇含量,提高了鸡蛋中的硒含量.同时添加吡啶羧酸铬和酵母硒极显著提高了产蛋率,降低了料蛋比,并降低了血清及蛋黄中的胆固醇含量,提高了血清中高密度胆同醇含量和鸡蛋中的硒含量.     

茶多酚对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和抗氧化能力的影响

本试验旨在研究茶多酚(TP)对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质和抗氧化能力的影响。试验选用450只24周龄的健康海兰灰产蛋鸡,分为5个组,每组6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加40、80、200和400 mg/kg TP。试验期63 d,其中预试期7 d、正试期56 d。结果表明,与对照组相比:1)400 mg/kg TP显著降低了试验期前4周的平均蛋重(P0.05);200 mg/kg TP显著改善试验期后4周的料蛋比(P0.05);TP未显著影响产蛋率和平均日采食量(P0.05)。2)饲粮中添加TP未显著影响蛋形指数、蛋壳强度、蛋壳厚度、蛋白高度、哈夫单位和蛋黄颜色(P0.05)。3)TP显著提高了血浆总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPx)活性(P0.05);显著提高试验期第8周时血浆总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P0.05)。4)TP显著提高了肝脏和蛋黄T-AOC和T-SOD活性(P0.05);显著降低肝脏和蛋黄中丙二醛(MDA)含量(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮中添加TP未显著影响蛋鸡蛋品质;400 mg/kg TP降低了平均蛋重,200 mg/kg TP改善了料蛋比,两者均提高了蛋鸡的抗氧化能力,其中以200 mg/kg组效果最佳。     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Effects of dietary chromium picolinate and ascorbic acid supplementation on egg production, egg quality and some serum metabolites of laying hens reared under a low ambient temperature (6 degrees C).

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) and vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) supplementation on egg production and egg quality in laying hens (Hy-Line) kept at 18 degrees C (at thermo-neutral zone) or 6 degrees C (cold stress) in temperature-controlled rooms. One hundred and fifty laying hens (32 week-old) were divided into 5 groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens kept at 6 degrees C temperature were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, LTB group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 micrograms of Cr per kg diet (Cr group), 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C group) or 400 micrograms of Cr plus 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid per kg diet (Vit C + Cr group) while hens kept at 18 degrees C fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TNB group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in LTB group compared with TNB group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin C significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed hens compared with group fed the basal diet at 6 degrees C brought up to the values of the group reared under thermoneutral conditions (18 degrees C). Egg production and egg weight were also greater in each supplemental group compared with the LTB group. Separately or as a combination, supplemental chromium and vitamin C increased serum insulin but decreased corticosterone, glucose and cholesterol concentrations. Results of the present study show that supplementing vitamin C and chromium, particularly as a combination, improved the performance of cold-stressed hens. Such a combination of supplement can offer a potential protective management practice in preventing cold stress-related losses in performance of laying hens.     

Influence of high vitamin E dosages on retinol and carotinoid concentration in body tissues and eggs of laying hens.

The aim of the study was to contribute to the discussion of overdosing vitamin E in laying hens. A total of 45 laying hens, divided into 5 groups were fed diets supplemented with either 0; 100; 1000; 10,000 or 20,000 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg diet over a period of 10 weeks. Concentrations of vitamins A and E were measured in plasma, various tissues and egg yolk. Furthermore egg yolk colour and some carotinoids were measured in egg yolks. None of the vitamin E doses significantly influenced performance of the hens. As expected, vitamin E concentration in plasma, all tissue samples and egg yolk was significantly increased with increasing tocopherol content in the diet. The egg yolk showed the highest vitamin E concentration, followed by liver and muscles. Feeding 1000 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate per kg diet resulted in an increase of vitamin A concentration in the liver. Very high doses (10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg diet) significantly decreased retinol concentration in the liver and egg yolk, as well as carotinoid concentration in the egg yolk. The lower carotinoid concentration in egg yolk resulted in a decreased intensity of egg yolk colour. A prooxidative and/or competitive effect of very high doses of vitamin E with other fat soluble substances has been discussed.     

Effect of different dietary levels of Yucca schidigera powder on the performance,blood parameters and egg yolk cholesterol of laying quails

A total of 135 laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), 9 weeks old, were divided into three dietary treatment groups. Three replicates were assigned to each treatment group consisting of 15 birds per cage. The diet was supplemented with 0, 100 and 200 ppm Yucca schidigera powder and given ad libitum to the quails for a period of 14 weeks. Body weight, egg production, feed consumption and feed efficiency were not different due to dietary treatments among the groups. Increased egg weight was determined in the control group. Yucca powder supplementation decreased serum glucose, cholesterol triglyceride level in laying quails. Serum total protein concentration was not changed by dietary treatments but albumin level was decreased in quails fed 100 ppm yucca powder. Egg yolk cholesterol concentration was not significantly different among the groups but tended to decline (11.5%) as a result of yucca supplementation. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) counts, packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) were not affected by supplementation of yucca powder. However, haemoglobin (HB) concentration was slightly increased and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) was significantly increased by 200 ppm yucca powder supplementation to the diet.     

日粮中添加辣诺素对海兰褐蛋鸡产蛋性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加辣诺素（辣木和诺丽果的提取物）对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。将产蛋高峰期（22周龄）的海兰褐商品蛋鸡540只随机分为6个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。负对照组（NC）饲喂基础日粮,正对照组（PC）饲喂添加50 mg/kg杆菌肽锌的基础日粮,4个试验组分别饲喂添加0.25、0.50、0.75和1.00 g/kg辣诺素（LNS）的基础日粮。试验期24周。结果显示：①日粮处理对蛋鸡试验前期和后期生产性能均无显著影响（P>0.05）,试验后期添加0.50和0.75 g/kg辣诺素有改善料蛋比的趋势（P=0.087）;日粮处理对试验前期和后期鸡蛋蛋形指数、蛋壳强度、蛋壳厚度、蛋黄重和哈氏单位均无显著影响（P>0.05）,但日粮中添加杆菌肽锌和辣诺素有提高蛋壳强度的趋势（P=0.062）,其中以添加0.75g/kg辣诺素组鸡蛋强度最高。②与正、负对照组相比,添加辣诺素显著增加了生蛋黄和熟蛋黄的罗氏蛋黄色比率（P<0.05）,显著降低了蛋黄胆固醇的含量（0.25 LNS组除外）（P<0.05）。③与负对照组相比,添加0.50 g/kg辣诺素显著提高了鸡蛋总黄酮、二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）、卵磷脂、亚麻酸和亚油酸含量（P<0.05）。综合以上试验结果,辣诺素作为饲料添加剂具有提高鸡蛋营养品质的功能,考虑到添加成本,产蛋鸡日粮中添加0.25~0.50 g/kg为宜。     

Influence of high dietary vitamin E supplementation on egg production and plasma characteristics in hens subjected to heat stress

1. The effects of different dietary concentrations of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol acetate) were investigated in 2 experiments on laying hens exposed to chronic heat stress at 32C. 2. In the first experiment, egg production and plasma concentrations of calcium and egg yolk precursors were measured in 24 hens before, during and after a stress period of one week and fed on diets containing 10 or 500 mg vitamin E/kg. 3. In the second, larger experiment, egg production and food intake were measured in 300 hens housed in 2 temperature-controlled rooms and fed on diets containing 10, 125 or 500 mg vitamin E/kg. Birds in room 1 were stressed from 24 to 28 weeks of age and those in room 2 from 32 to 36 weeks. 4. In experiment 1, egg production and egg weight were significantly higher (72.6 vs 51.2%, P < 0.05 and 66.6 vs 63.1 g, P < 0.005 respectively) during and after the period of stress in the group given 500 mg vitamin E/kg. Plasma concentrations of calcium, vitellogenin (zinc) and VLDL (triglyceride) were also higher in this group. 5. In experiment 2, egg production was significantly higher (65.4 vs 56.2%, P < 0.05) during and after the period of heat stress in birds in room 1 fed on the diet containing 500 mg vitamin E/kg. Egg production was also higher (49.9% vs 44.7%) on this treatment during the stress period in room 2, though the difference was not significant (P < 0.10). Egg weight and food intake were unaffected by treatment in either room. 6. It is concluded that dietary supplementation with extra vitamin E can, at least in part, alleviate the adverse effects of chronic heat stress in laying hens, perhaps by maintaining the supply of egg precursors in plasma.     

日粮添加甜菜碱对夏季高温蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及血液理化特征的影响

本研究旨在评估夏季高温时日粮添加甜菜碱对蛋鸡生产性能、蛋品质及骨骼和血液理化特性的影响.试验将480只产蛋性能一致的罗曼粉壳蛋鸡随机分为2组,每组240只,每组10个重复(24只/重复).对照组饲喂基础试验日粮,处理组蛋鸡饲喂基础试验日粮+150?mg/kg甜菜碱,试验为期8周.结果:日粮添加150?mg/kg甜菜碱对...     

Zinc‐bearing zeolite clinoptilolite improves tissue zinc accumulation in laying hens by enhancing zinc transporter gene mRNA abundance

A study was conducted to investigate effects of zinc‐bearing zeolite clinoptilolite (ZnCP), as an alternative for zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄), on laying performance, tissue Zn accumulation and Zn transporter genes expression in laying hens. Hy‐Line Brown laying hens were allocated to three treatments, each of which had six replicates with 15 hens per replicate, receiving basal diet supplemented with ZnSO₄ (control, 80 mg Zn/kg diet), 0.23% ZnCP (40.25 mg Zn/kg diet) and 0.46% ZnCP (80.50 mg Zn/kg diet) for 8 weeks, respectively. Compared with control, hens fed diet containing 0.23% ZnCP had similar Zn content in measured tissues (P > 0.05). A higher ZnCP inclusion (0.46%) enhanced Zn accumulation in liver (P < 0.05) and pancreas (P < 0.05). In addition, ZnCP inclusion increased blood iron (Fe) content (P < 0.05). ZnCP supplementation enhanced jejunal metallothionein‐4 (MT‐4) messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance (P < 0.05). ZnCP inclusion at a higher level (0.46%) increased mRNA expression of MT‐4 in pancreas (P < 0.05) and zinc transporter‐1 (ZnT‐1) in jejunum (P < 0.05). The highest ZnT‐2 mRNA abundance in jejunum was found in hens fed 0.23% ZnCP inclusion diet (P < 0.05). The results indicated that ZnCP reached a higher bioavailability as compared with ZnSO₄ as evidenced by enhanced tissue Zn accumulation and Zn transporter genes expression.     

Effects of Antimicrobial peptides on egg production,egg quality and caecal microbiota of hens during the late laying period

This study was conducted to determine the effects of diet supplementation of laying hens with antimicrobial peptides (AMP) on egg production, egg quality and caecal microbiota. A total of 360 Hy‐Line Brown laying hens (72 weeks old) were divided into three groups with four replicates of 30 birds each. The laying hens were fed with the basal diet (Control), the basal diet + 50 mg/kg AMP (group 1) and the basal diet + 100 mg/kg AMP (group 2). The experiment lasted for 45 d. Eggs were collected daily and caecal samples were collected at the end of the experiment. The results showed that AMP supplementation caused a significantly increased laying rate and decreased feed/egg ratio (p ＜ .05). Meanwhile, a distinctive difference in cecal microbiota was observed between AMP and control groups and the average values of microbial diversity and richness were lower in the AMP group than in the control group. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria were lower in the AMP group than in the control group. In conclusion, the results indicated that dietary supplementation with AMP can improve egg production and affect the cecal microbial community membership and structure of hens during late laying period.     

饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能、生殖器官发育以及血浆和肝脏生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡产蛋性能、蛋品质、孵化性能、生殖器官发育以及血浆和肝脏生化指标的影响。选择288只产蛋率和体重接近的45周龄岭南黄羽肉种母鸡,随机分为4个组,每组6个重复,每个重复12只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别在基础饲粮中添加10、20、30 mg/kg植物精油。试验期10周。结果显示:1)饲粮中添加植物精油对黄羽肉种鸡的平均日产蛋重、料蛋比、平均蛋重、产蛋率、合格蛋率均无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)对照组的蛋白高度显著低于其他各组(P<0.05),对照组的哈氏单位显著低于10和20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05),对照组的蛋壳厚度显著低于20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。3)对照组的受精蛋孵化率显著低于10 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。4)对照组的卵巢系数显著低于10和20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05),对照组的输卵管重量和输卵管系数显著低于10 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。5)对照组的血浆低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量显著高于20 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05),对照组的肝脏甘油三酯含量显著高于10 mg/kg植物精油组(P<0.05)。由此可知,饲粮中添加植物精油不影响黄羽肉种鸡的产蛋性能,但能够改善蛋品质,提高受精蛋孵化率和生殖器官(输卵管和卵巢)系数,降低血浆低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量和肝脏甘油三酯含量。本试验条件下,产蛋期黄羽肉种鸡饲粮植物精油适宜添加水平为10~20 mg/kg。