Dietary mulberry-leaf flavonoids improve the eggshell quality of aged breeder hens.

Theriogenology

College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China. Electronic address:

Published: February 2022

Eggshell quality is subject to a significant decline in the late laying period, which results in huge economic losses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary mulberry-leaf flavonoids (MF) on the eggshell quality of aged breeder hens. A total of 270 (60-week-old) Qiling breeder hens were randomly assigned to 3 treatments with supplemental dietary MF doses (0, 30, and 60 mg/kg). The results showed that dietary MF improved the eggshell thickness and strength, following the reduced broken egg ratio (P < 0.05). Histological analysis showed that dietary MF increased glandular density and luminal epithelium height in the shell gland (P < 0.05). MF treatment reduced the apoptotic index of the shell gland, following by improved antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). The protein expression of Caspase 3 was down-regulated, and Nrf2 was up-regulated by dietary MF (P < 0.05). Furthermore, calcium (Ca) content in the serum and shell gland, as well as the activity of Ca-ATPase in the shell gland were increased by dietary MF (P < 0.05). Ca transport-related genes (ESRα, ESRβ, KCNA1, OPN, CABP-28K and CDH6) in the shell gland were upregulated by dietary MF treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary MF could ameliorate the eggshell quality of aged hens by improving antioxidative capability and Ca deposition in the shell gland of uterus.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2021.11.019DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

eggshell quality
12
breeder hens
12
dietary mulberry-leaf
8
mulberry-leaf flavonoids
8
quality aged
8
aged breeder
8
dietary
4
flavonoids improve
4
eggshell
4
improve eggshell
4

Similar Publications

In regions characterized by tropical and subtropical climates, the elevated ambient temperatures exert adverse effects on both broiler and laying chickens, impacting their growth and egg production performance. To mitigate the challenges posed by heat stress, genetic strategies aimed at reducing feather coverage have gained prominence in hot climate areas. Among these approaches, the naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes have emerged as particularly noteworthy.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The effects of lifetime feeding of hydrolyzed yeast (HY) to broiler breeders (BB) on egg production, egg quality, and hatchling attributes were investigated. The birds were selected from two groups reared on diets with or without 0.05 % HY from hatch.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Integrating proteomics and metabolomics to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of pimpled egg production in chickens: Multi-omics analysis of the mechanism of pimpled egg formation.

Poult Sci

January 2025

Shandong Provincial Key laboratory for Livestock Germplasm Innovation & Utilization, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, 61 Daizong Street, Taian City, Shandong Province 271018, PR China. Electronic address:

Eggshells not only protect the contents of the egg from external damage but are also a key factor influencing consumer choice, second only to price. In the later stages of egg production, the incidence of pimpled eggs significantly increases, severely affecting the hatchability and food safety of the eggs. This study compares the differences in the uterine proteomes and metabolomes of hens producing pimpled eggs and those producing normal eggs, aiming to identify the proteins and metabolites that may play a crucial role in the formation of pimpled eggs.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ovalbumin gene polymorphism: Implications for hatchability and egg quality changes during storage in Japanese quail.

Poult Sci

January 2025

Institute of Biological Bases of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland.

The aim of the study was to identify polymorphisms in the ovalbumin gene - SERPINB14 gene and evaluate their effect on hatchability traits and egg quality changes during storage in two strains of Japanese quails: meat-type (F33) and laying-type (S22). To individually determine hatchability traits for each female, eggs were collected and incubated. To determine egg quality traits, 10 eggs were collected from each female and stored for 14 weeks.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a new and promising strategy for eliminating foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food preservation, reducing associated health risks for consumers. This study aimed to develop an innovative PDI-based system to inactivate Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 on eggshells. The system includes 405 nm light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the application of curcumin or carvacrol as photosensitizers.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!