Optimal dietary vitamin B1 content enhanced egg production, eggshell thickness, and serum antioxidant status in breeder geese.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin B1 (VB1) supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and nutrient digestion in breeder geese.

Methods: A total of 150 geese (30 males and 120 females, aged 34 weeks) were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups, each 5 replicates of 5 birds (1 male and 4 females). The geese were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mg/kg of VB1 for 10 weeks.

Results: VB1 supplementation had no significant effects on average feed intake, average egg weight, feed-to-egg ratio, egg shape index, eggshell strength, protein height, and Haugh unit (P > 0.05). However, it increased egg-laying rate, eggshell thickness, and yolk color (P < 0.05) in a quadratic manner, with the maximum values observed at 2 mg/kg VB1. Supplementing 2 mg/kg VB1 reduced serum aspartate transaminase activity (P < 0.05), but did not affect serum alanine transaminase activity, lipid and protein concentrations (P > 0.05). Serum glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities were enhanced by VB1 supplementation (P < 0.05), while total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentration remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Additionally, VB1 supplementation at 2 mg/kg increased crude ash digestibility, but did not affect the digestibility of ether extract, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus.

Conclusion: Dietary supplementing VB1 improved egg-laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, and mineral absorption in breeder geese. The optimal dietary VB1 concentration ranged from 3.83 to 4.81 mg/kg for improving egg production and quality, while higher concentrations of 4.99 to 6.51 mg/kg were needed to boost serum antioxidant status.