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.     

In vivo antioxidant properties of vitamin E and chromium in cold-stressed Japanese quails.

An experiment was conducted to determine if vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol-acetate) and chromium (chromium picolinate, Cr Pic) supplementation attenuate the negative effects of cold stress on egg production, egg quality, serum metabolites, and antioxidant status in Japanese quails (Corurnix coturnix japonica). One hundred and fifty laying Japanese quails (50-day-old) were divided into five groups, 30 birds per group. The laying quails kept at 6 degrees C for 12 h/d (08.00 p.m. to 08.00 a.m.) were fed either a basal diet (low temperature-basal diet, CS group) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 microg of Cr/kg of diet (Cr group), 250 mg of alpha-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E group) or 400 microg of Cr plus 250 mg of alpha-tocopherol-acetate per kg of diet (Vit. E + Cr group) while quails kept at 18 degrees C were fed a basal diet (thermo-neutral-basal diet, TN group). Performance and egg quality were significantly reduced in CS group compared with TN group. Supplemental chromium and vitamin E significantly increased live weight change, egg production, and improved feed efficiency in cold-stressed laying hens compared with the group fed the basal diet at 6 degrees C. Egg production and egg weight were also greater (P < 0.05) in each supplemental group compared with the CS group. However, a combination of vitamin E and chromium, rather than each separately, provided the greatest performance. Supplemental vitamin E and chromium also increased serum vitamin C and E but, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (P < 0.05); the combination of vitamin E and chromium resulted in the highest levels of serum vitamin C and E within the cold-stressed quails. Results of the present study indicate that combined antioxidant supplements increased performance, egg quality and serum antioxidant levels while lowering MDA in cold-stressed quails.     

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.     

Vitamin E supplementation can alleviate negative effects of heat stress on egg production,egg quality,digestibility of nutrients and egg yolk mineral concentrations of Japanese quails

The aim of this study was to determine if the negative effects of high ambient temperature (34 degrees C) on egg production, egg quality, digestibility of nutrients, and mineral content of egg yolk could be alleviated by dietary vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate) supplementation in laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japanica). Japanese quails (n=240; 7-week-old) were divided into eight groups, 30 birds per group. The quails were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 125, 250 or 500 mg of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of diet. Birds were kept at 22 degrees C and 55% relative humidity (RH). At 14 weeks of age, the thermo-neutral (TN) group remained in the same temperature as at the beginning of the experiment, whereas the heat stress (HS) group was kept at an environment-controlled room at 34 degrees C and 44% RH for 3 weeks. Heat exposure decreased performance when basal diet was fed (P=0.001). With 250 and 500 mg/kg of diet, an increase in body weight (P=0.01), feed intake (P=0.01), egg production (P=0.001), and improvement in feed efficiency (P=0.01) was found with vitamin E supplementation in quails reared under heat stress conditions (HS). Similarly, egg weight (P=0.01), egg specific gravity (P=0.01), egg shell thickness (P=0.05) and Haugh unit (P=0.01) were positively influenced by vitamin E supplementation. Heat exposure decreased digestibility of dry matter (DM) (P=0.03), organic matter (OM) (P=0.05), crude protein (CP) (P=0.02), ether extract (EE) (P=0.05) and were elevated by supplemental vitamin E (P相似文献   

日粮添加虾青素和维生素B2对鸡蛋品质的影响

试验旨在探究虾青素和维生素B2在日粮中的添加量对鸡蛋品质的影响。选择1200只体重相近、健康的45周龄海兰褐蛋鸡,随机分成5组,每组4个重复,每个重复60只鸡。对照组蛋鸡饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组蛋鸡饲喂固定比例的基础日粮和0.25%虾青素,混合不同含量的维生素B2(5.0、8.0、11.0、14.0 mg/kg)。预试期1周和正式试验期4周,预试期各组蛋鸡均饲喂基础日粮,正式试验期分别投放上面试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组的配比的饲料。结果表明,试验组蛋黄颜色、哈夫单位均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。试验Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ组鸡蛋粗脂肪含量显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。试验组鸡蛋平均蛋重、蛋壳厚度、蛋壳强度、蛋比重与对照组相比有增大的趋势。试验表明,日粮添加虾青素和维生素B2能提高蛋品质,添加0.25%虾青素和14.0 mg/kg维生素B2效果最好。     

The Impact of Yeast Culture Residue on the Suppression of Dietary Aflatoxin on the Performance of Broiler Breeder Hens

A study was conducted to examine the effect of yeast culture residue (YCR) on the suppression of aflatoxicosis in broiler breeder hens. One hundred twenty, 35-wk-old, Cobb broiler breeder hens of the same cross were fed diets supplemented with aflatoxin (AF) (0 or 3 mg/kg) and YCR (0 or 2 lb/ton) singly and combined in a 2 × 2 factorial designed experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to pens with 3 replicates of 10 females and 1 male per treatment. Eggs laid by the hens were collected daily, stored at room temperature, and incubated every 7 d for 3 wk. Response variables analyzed were mean percentage of fertility, hatchability, hen-day egg production, egg weight, chick weight at hatch, and embryonic mortality over the 3-wk treatment period. At the end of 3-wk treatment, blood was collected from the hens and analyzed for total protein, globulin, and albumin. Aflatoxin did not negatively affect fertility. However, hen-day egg production (57.6%), percentage of hatchability (67.6%), embryonic mortality (24%), serum total protein, globulin, and albumin were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by AF. Hatch of fertile eggs from the AF-fed hens was significantly lower than the control (67.6 vs. 78.5%). The inclusion of YCR in the AF-treated diet raised the level of hatchability (74.9 vs. 67.6%), egg production (65.83 vs. 57.26%), and lowered embryonic mortality (16.8 vs. 24%). Serum globulin and albumin were lowered in the AF-fed hens but was partially restored with the addition of YCR. The data demonstrated that YCR may enhance the performance of broiler breeder hens that are provided feed contaminated with AF.     

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.     

Effects of high concentrations of dietary vitamin E and ethoxyquin on the performance of laying hens

1. Three experiments were carried out with light strain laying hens to evaluate the effects of relatively high doses of dietary vitamin E (125 mg/kg food) or ethoxyquin (EQ) (250 mg/kg food) on their laying performance. The control diet contained 5 and 125 mg/kg vitamin E and EQ, respectively. The experimental diets were fed either from one or 32 weeks until 88 or 89 weeks of age. 2. The two antioxidants did not affect the growth of the pullets, age at first egg, final body weight, average egg weight or relative abdominal fat pad size and liver weight at the termination of the experiments. In two out of three experiments, vitamin E and EQ did not affect egg production, food efficiency or mortality; in the third experiment vitamin E significantly (P less than 0.05) improved egg production and food efficiency after an outbreak of Newcastle disease which occurred at 34 weeks of age. EQ significantly reduced mortality during the course of this experiment, but did affect the variables of performance. In two experiments vitamin E consistently improved shell density, although a significant effect was observed in only one of the eight determinations carried out. EQ did not affect this variable. 3. The uterine muscle was more susceptible to oxidation than the drumstick meat, as evaluated by TBA values. In both tissues, vitamin E significantly and consistently decreased TBA values and restricted their increase during incubation, while EQ was less effective, particularly in the drumstick meat. 4. It is concluded that increasing vitamin E and EQ concentrations in diets of laying hens have no effect on the decrease in egg production due to aging. However, vitamin E may minimize the decline in egg production and food efficiency following the outbreaks of some diseases and slightly improve--under certain yet undefined conditions--shell density.     

叶黄素和维生素C对高温环境中蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

研究了万寿菊叶黄素(Marigold Lutein,MAR)和维生素C(VC)对高温环境下罗曼粉壳蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响规律。将216只180日龄身体健康、体重相似的罗曼粉蛋鸡作为试验动物,随机分为6个组,每组设3个重复,每个重复12只鸡。试验1组为高温对照组,饲喂基础日粮,试验2组饲喂基础日粮+200mg/kg VC,试验3、4、5、6组在试验2组的基础上,分别添加60mg/kg、120mg/kg、180mg/kg、240mg/kg万寿菊叶黄素(分别组成复合剂Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ)。试验期56d,其中预试期14d,正式期42d。研究结果表明,在长期高温环境中,日粮中添加120mg/kg MAR+200mg/kg VC,可有效提高蛋鸡生产性能,其中采食量、产蛋率、平均蛋重分别较对照组提高26.79%(P<0.01)、13.87%(P<0.05)和4.1%(P<0.01),破壳率降低53.49%(P<0.01),死淘率为0;同时可有效改善蛋品质,与对照组比较,蛋壳厚度、哈氏单位、蛋黄相对重有提高的趋势(P>0.05);蛋黄RCF值提高2.12(P<0.01)、蛋黄红度(a*)提高90.37%(P<0.01)、蛋黄黄度(b*)提高11.36%(P<0.01)。     

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。     

Vitamin E hypervitaminosis in laying hens.

The aim of this investigation was to contribute to the problem of overdosing vitamin E. A total of 80 laying hens, divided into 5 groups, were fed diets supplemented with 0, 100, 1000, 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg vitamin E over a period of 20 weeks within two brooding tests. Laying performance and hatching parameters were registered. All vitamin E doses did not significantly influence health and performances of hens. Vitamin E content of eggs increased from 1 to 4, 21, 46 and 51 mg per egg with vitamin E supplementation. High doses decreased oxidative stability of abdominal fat, vitamin A concentration of liver and egg yolk colour. In both tests vitamin E supplements of 10,000 and 20,000 mg/kg feed resulted in a decrease of living hatched chicken, which demonstrated an adverse effect. Further studies seem to be necessary to explain the effect.     

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.     

Effects of supplementary iodine on the performance and egg traits of laying hens

1. This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary iodine supplementation on the performance and egg traits of laying hens. A total of 600 SHSY type brown layers aged 21 weeks of age were chosen at random from a large flock. They were randomly distributed into 30 pens at 20 hens per pen. Each treatment comprised 6 replicates of 20 layers in groups of 5 birds. The diets were supplemented with 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine as calcium iodate. The experimental period lasted 30 weeks. 2. There were no significant differences among the groups in body weight, food consumption, egg production, food consumption per kg eggs, eggshell index, eggshell breaking strength, shell thickness or egg yolk index. 3. Supplementation of the diet with 12 mg/kg iodine increased food consumption per dozen eggs compared to the groups fed on diets supplemented with 0 and 6 mg/kg iodine. 4. Egg weight was less in groups fed on diets supplemented with 12 and 24 mg/kg iodine than in the group receiving no iodine supplementation. 5. Iodine supplementation to provide 12 and 24 mg/kg reduced egg albumen index and egg Haugh units. 6. There were no significant differences among the groups in egg cholesterol and egg yolk cholesterol contents. 7. The iodine concentrations in egg yolk, egg albumen and whole egg increased with increased iodine supplementation. 8. As a result, the 3 and 6 mg/kg iodine supplementation of diet could be used to enrich the eggs with iodine without any adverse effect on performance and egg traits.     

The effects of withdrawal of vitamin and trace mineral supplements from layer diets on egg yield and trace mineral composition

1. This study was conducted as three trials. 2. In the first trial, zinc, manganese, copper and iron concentrations were determined in dietary raw materials collected from various regions of Turkey. 3. In the second trial, 200 Hisex Brown laying hens, 30 weeks of age, were divided into two groups. The first group served as controls and were fed on a standard commercial layer diet. The second group were fed on a commercial layer diet that was not supplemented with trace minerals and vitamins. Egg production, egg weight, specific gravity, food consumption and food efficiency of the birds in each group were determined. In the unsupplemented group, egg production (0.75 vs 0.83) and food intake (114 vs 122 g) were lower than the those of the control group (P < 0.05). Food efficiency was 2.42 (kg food/kg gain) in the group consuming the unsupplemented diet and 2.36 in the controls. 4. In the third trial, as in Trial 2, Hisex Brown laying hens, 62 weeks of age were used. In the unsupplemented group, the mean egg weight was significantly lower than that of controls (68.0 vs 69.6 g) (P < 0.01). 5. At the end of the second and third trials, egg samples collected from experimental groups were hard boiled in water. The levels of zinc, manganese, copper and iron in the egg yolk were determined. The zinc level of the egg yolk from the control group of second trial was higher (23.5 mg/kg) than those of the unsupplemented group (13.6 mg/kg).     

Is there lipid peroxidation induced malondialdehyde production during egg shell formation?

The marked increase observed in malondialdehyde concentration of the blood plasma and liver of laying hens during egg shell formation in a previous experiment (Mézes and Lencsés, 1985) were explained as a possible consequence of physiologically controlled lipid peroxidation. In this experiment, 54-week-old laying hens were treated intrauterinally with indomethacin (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg body mass) after oviposition. Two other groups of hens were treated per os with excess amounts of vitamin E (100 and 200 mg/bird). The higher dose of indomethacin significantly decreased the PGF2 alpha production and malondialdehyde content of the sell gland, as well as the malondialdehyde concentration of the plasma. The excess amount of vitamin E had the same effect. The results suggest that during egg shell formation malondialdehyde is derived from prostanoid biosynthesis rather than from a free-radical initiated lipid peroxidative process. On the other hand, the excess amount of vitamin E inhibited prostaglandin biosynthesis as well as malondialdehyde production.     

Effect of T-2 toxin on egg production and hatchability in laying hens.

The effect of diets containing different levels of T-2 toxin on egg production and hatchability was studied in a four-week experiment using 100 laying hens of the SSL hybrid line and 10 cocks divided into 10 groups. Another aim of the experiment was to investigate how effectively the increased dietary vitamin E content neutralized the adverse effects of T-2 toxin. The diet of the control group (C) contained no mycotoxin, while those of the experimental groups included the following levels of T-2 toxin: groups 1, 2 and 3: 1 mg/kg, groups 4, 5 and 6: 5 mg/kg; groups 7, 8 and 9: 10 mg/kg. Vitamin E was added to the diet of groups C, 1, 4 and 7 at a rate of 50 mg/kg while to that of groups 2, 5 and 8 at a rate of 100 mg/kg. To the diet of groups 3, 6 and 9 no vitamin E was added. Contamination of the diet with T-2 toxin markedly decreased egg production and impaired hatchability. The production decrease was proportional to the T-2 toxin concentration of the diet. Increased dietary vitamin E concentration exerted no influence on egg production. However, during the first week of the experiment it significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the number of infertile eggs and significantly (P < 0.01) improved the hatching percentage. Dietary vitamin E concentration was in positive correlation with the hatching percentage; this correlation was rather close (r = 0.74) in the first week of the experiment.     

苜蓿多糖对夏季高温环境下蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究夏季高温环境下在饲粮中添加苜蓿多糖对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。将540只156日龄海兰褐蛋鸡随机分成6组,每组6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加250、500、1 000、2 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖的试验饲粮。试验期为6周。结果显示:与对照组相比,1)饲粮中添加不同水平苜蓿多糖对平均蛋重、平均日采食量、不合格蛋率和死淘率均无显著影响(P0.05),而添加500、1 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖显著提高了蛋鸡的产蛋率(P0.05),添加500、1 000、2 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖显著降低了料蛋比(P0.05)。2)饲粮中添加不同水平苜蓿多糖对蛋白高度和哈夫单位均无显著影响(P0.05);250 mg/kg苜蓿多糖添加组第4和6周末的蛋黄颜色显著提高(P0.05);500 mg/kg苜蓿多糖添加组第6周末的蛋形指数显著降低(P0.05),第1、4和6周末的蛋黄颜色显著提高(P0.05);1 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖添加组第4和6周末的蛋壳颜色显著加深(P0.05),第1、2和4周末的蛋壳强度和蛋壳厚度显著提高(P0.05),第1和6周末的蛋形指数显著降低(P0.05),第1、2、4和6周末的蛋黄颜色显著提高(P0.05);2 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖添加组第1和4周末的蛋壳厚度显著提高(P0.05),第6周末的蛋形指数显著降低(P0.05),第1、4和6周末的蛋黄颜色显著提高(P0.05);4 000 mg/kg苜蓿多糖添加组第4周末的蛋壳颜色显著加深(P0.05)且蛋壳强度显著提高(P0.05),第1和4周末的蛋壳厚度显著提高(P0.05),第6周末的蛋形指数显著降低(P0.05),第1、4和6周末的蛋黄颜色显著提高(P0.05)。结果表明,夏季高温环境下,在饲粮中添加适量的苜蓿多糖可以有效缓解蛋鸡的热应激,提高蛋鸡的生产性能,改善蛋品质,且适宜添加量为1 000 mg/kg。     

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。     

Effect of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid on laying performance,egg quality,immune activity and endocrine hormone in heat-stressed Roman hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on laying performance, egg quality, digestive enzyme activity, hormone level and immune activities in Roman hens under heat stress. Roman hens (320 days old) were fed with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg/kg GABA, respectively during a 60-day experiment. Compared with control, supplementation of 50 mg/kg GABA improved the laying performance and egg quality by significantly increasing egg production, average egg weight and shell strength (P < 0.05), while decreasing the feed–egg ratio and cholesterol level. Anti-oxidation activity was improved by significantly increasing the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), but decreasing malondialdehyde level in serum (P < 0.05), while significantly increasing the glucose and total protein (TP) level, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E₂), insulin, triiodothyronine (T₃) and free triiodothyronine (FT₃) levels, and IgG, IgA and complement (C3)activity in serum (P < 0.05). The results indicated that oral GABA improved laying performance and physical condition mainly by modulating hormone secretion, enhancing anti-oxidation and immune activity, and maintaining electrolyte balance. Fifty mg/kg was the optimum level for laying hens under heat stress in the present study.     

饲粮添加不同水平苜蓿粗多糖对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮添加不同水平苜蓿粗多糖对蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质的影响。选取540只27周龄的海兰褐壳蛋鸡,随机分为6组,每组6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组分别饲喂在基础饲粮中添加250、500、1 000、2 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖的试验饲粮。试验期24周。结果表明:与对照组相比,1)试验1~8周,500、2 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组产蛋率均显著提高(P0.05);试验9~16周、17~24周和1~24周,250、500、1 000和2 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组产蛋率显著提高(P0.05),料蛋比显著降低(P0.05),且在试验17~24周和1~24周,总产蛋重量显著提高(P0.05),而平均蛋重和采食量无显著差异(P0.05);2)250、500和1 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组在试验第6、8、12、16、20和24周蛋壳颜色显著加深(P0.05),且在试验第8、12、16周较4 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组蛋壳颜色亦显著加深(P0.05);3)2 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组在试验第6、20、24周蛋壳强度显著提高(P0.05);4)试验第8、12、16、20和24周,250、500、1 000和2 000mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组蛋壳厚度显著增加(P0.05),且4 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组在试验第8、20、24周蛋壳厚度亦显著增加(P0.05);5)2 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组在试验第10、12和24周蛋白高度和哈夫单位显著提高(P0.05),且2 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组在试验第10和12周蛋白高度和哈夫单位显著高于250、1 000和4 000 mg/kg苜蓿粗多糖添加组(P0.05)。试验表明,产蛋期蛋鸡饲粮中添加适宜水平的苜蓿粗多糖可以显著提高蛋鸡生产性能,改善蛋品质,且推荐适宜添加水平为250 mg/kg。