Dietary supplementation of Macleaya cordata extract and Bacillus in combination improve laying performance by regulating reproductive hormones,intestinal microbiota and barrier function of laying hens

Background:This study aimed to investigate whether the combination of Macleaya cordata extract(MCE)and Bacil-lus could improve the laying performance and health of laying hens better.Methods:A total of 36029-week-old Jingbai laying hens were randomly divided into 4 treatments:control group(basal diet),MCE group(basal diet+MCE),Probiotics Bacillus Compound(PBC)group(basal diet+compound Bacil-lus),MCE+PBC group(basal diet+MCE+compound Bacillus).The feeding experiment lasted for 42 d.Results:The results showed that the laying rate and the average daily egg mass in the MCE+PBC group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05)and better than the MCE and PBC group.Combina-tion of MCE and Bacillus significantly increased the content of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)in the serum and up-regulated the expression of related hormone receptor gene(estrogen receptor-β,FSHR and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor)in the ovary of laying hens(P<0.05).In the MCE+PBC group,the mRNA expressions of zonula occluden-1,Occludin and mucin-2 in jejunum was increased and the intestinal epithelial barrier detected by transmission electron microscopy was enhanced compared with the control group(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the control group,combination of MCE and Bacillus significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity(P<0.05),and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of inflammation-related genes(interleukin-1βand tumor necrosis factor-α)as well as apoptosis-related genes(Caspase 3,Caspase 8 and P53)(P<0.05).The concen-tration of acetic acid and butyric acid in the cecum content of laying hens in the MCE+PBC group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions:Collectively,dietary supplementation of 600μg/kg MCE and 5×108 CFU/kg compound Bacillus can improve laying performance by improving microbiota to enhance antioxidant capacity and intestinal barrier,regulate reproductive hormones and the concentration of cecal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens,and the combined effect of MCE and Bacillus is better than that of single supplementation.

Effects of Yeast Chromium Combined with Probiotics on Laying Performance,Intestinal Microflora and Digestive Enzyme Activities of Laying Hens in Summer

[ Objective] To study the effects of yeast chromium combined with probiotics on laying performance, intestinal microflora and digestive enzyme activities of laying hens. [ Method] A total of 432 healthy 40-week-old Roman brown laying hens were randomly divided into nine groups. Laying hens in control group were fed with basal diet, laying hens in test groups were fed with basal diet combining with different levels of yeast chromium （0,400,600 μg/kg） or probiotics （0,400,800 mg/kg）. [ Result] Yeast chromium, probiotics or yeast chromium combined with probiotics adding into feeds could significantly increased the laying rate （ P 〈 0.05 ） and significantly reduced feed-egg rate （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Joint use of yeast chromium and probiotics had significant interaction effects on laying rate and feed conversion rate（P 〈 0. 05）. Adding of yeast chromium combined with probiotics in diets could significantly increased the amount of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium （P 〈0.05 ） in ileum and cecum of laying hens, and significantly reduced the amount of Escherichia coli and Salmonella （P 〈0.05 ） , in addition, the activity of total protease, lipase and amylase in duodenal contents were significantly increased （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Joint use of yeast chromium and probioties had sig- nificant interaction effects on the activity of total protease, lipase and amylase in laying hens duodenal contents （ P 〈 0.05 ）. [ Conclusion ] Joint adding of 600μg/kg yeast chromium and 800 mg/kg probiotics in diets in summer had best effects on laying performance, intestinal microflora and digestive enzyme activities of laying hens.

Effects of Different Facilities on Laying Performance,Egg Quality and Air Quality for Layers Under Free Range System

[ Objective] This paper aimed to study the effects of different facilities on laying performance, egg quality and air quality for commercial layers under free range system. [Metbod] The single factorial arrangement was used in the tdal. 2 800 commercial Beijing You Chicken （BYC） at 23 weeks of age were chosen and randomly divided into four groups, three replicates each group, and 210 birds each replicate. The layers lived in loose housing condition with deep litter inside. Group 1 was the control, equipped with standard laying boxes, and flat-type perches; group 2 was e- quipped with common laying boxes, and flat-type perches; group 3 was equipped with common laying boxes, and erect-type perches, and group 4 was equipped with standard laying boxes, and erect-type perches. The laying performance, laying position and egg quality of birds during 24 to 32 weeks of age were recorded and measured, and average NH3, CO~ concentration of each group at 32 weeks of age were measured and detected. [Result] The results showed that laying performance of commercial BYC under loose housing condition were significantly different during 24 -32 weeks of age. The laying rate of the control group equipped with flat-type porches and standard laying boxes （33.25%） was significantly higher than in group equipped with flat-type perches and common laying boxes （21.83%） （P〈0.05）, and other two groups （26.04% and 27.48%） （P 〈0.05）. The ratio of floor eggs was significantly lower in groups with standard laying boxes than in the groups with common laying boxes （P 〈0. 05）, and the laying proportion in the first floor of layer boxes were much higher than those in the second floor （ P 〈 0.05）. There were no significant differences on egg quality among the groups （P〉0.05）. Average NH3, CO2 concentration of group 3 and 4 at 82 weeks of age were both signifi- cantly higher than of group 1 and 2 （P 〈0.05）. [ Conclusion] All of the above indicated that the utilization of facilities could improve layer＇s laying rate, especially with flat-type perches and standard laying boxes, and the indoor air quality was also affected to some extent.

The optimal dietary arginine level of laying hens fed with low-protein diets

Background:Arginine(Arg)is an essential amino acid(EAA)in poultry,an important substrate for protein synthesis and a precursor of several molecules.Supplementation of EAAs with low protein(LP)diet increases the utilization efficiency of dietary crude protein(CP).However,if the EAA requirement is changed in hens fed a LP diet remains to be elucidated.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the optimal level of dietary Arg in the LP diet of hens.A total of 1350 Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments:a basal diet(16%CP,positive control),or an isoenergetic LP diet(14%CP,0.80%Arg)supplemented 0,0.05%,0.10%,0.15%,and 0.20%L-Arg,corresponding to 0.80%,0.85%,0.90%,0.95%and 1.00%dietary Arg,respectively.Results:The feed efficiency was decreased(P<0.05)by 0.80%and 1.00%Arg-LP diets,compared to control.Within LP diets,dietary Arg level had significant quadratic effects(P<0.05)on laying rate,egg mass,and feed efficiency.Compared to control,the plasma CAT activity or T-AOC content were decreased by 0.80%(P<0.001).However,the hens offered 0.85%and 0.90%Arg-LP diets had higher CAT activity(P<0.001)than 0.80%Arg-LP diet.In contrast,1.00%Arg-LP group had the highest MDA and the lowest T-AOC content in plasma,liver,duodenal and jejunal mucosa(P<0.05).Compared to control,the villus height was decreased by 0.80%,0.95%and 1.00%Arg-LP diets,while the villus height to crypt depth(V/C)ratio was reduced by 0.95%and 1.00%Arg-LP diets in duodenum.Conclusion:The result demonstrates that LP diet(14%CP)deficient in Arg(0.80%Arg)result in augmented oxidative damage and impaired development of intestinal mucosa.According to the quadratic broken-line regression model,the optimal dietary arginine levels for Hy-Line Brown laying hens fed with low protein diet(14%CP)aged 33 to 40 weeks are 0.85%,0.86%,and 0.86%to obtained the maximum laying rate,egg mass,and feed efficiency,respectively.

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract improves laying performance by altering serum metabolic profiles and gut bacteria in aged laying hens

The leaves of Eucommia ulmoides are rich in bioactive constituents that have potential gastrointestinal benefits for animals.In aged laying hens,intestinal health issues contribute to a significant decline in egg-laying capacity during intermediate and later stages.It remains unclear whether E.ulmoides leaf extract(ELE)can improve intestinal health and enhance egg production in elderly laying hens,and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.Therefore,we conducted a study with 480 laying hens(65 weeks old)randomly allocated into four groups:a control group fed with the basal diet,and three treatment groups supplemented with 500,1,000,and 2,000 mg/kg of ELE,respectively.The primary active constituents of ELE include flavonoids,polysaccharides,terpenoids,and phenolic acids.Dietary supplementation with ELE at 1,000 mg/kg(ELE1000)significantly improved laying performance and egg quality compared to the other groups.ELE1000 stimulated the maturation of intestinal epithelial cells,increased villus height,and reduced crypt depth.It also influenced the levels of proteins associated with tight junctions(claudin-1 and claudin-2)and intestinal inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-1β,and IL-2)in different intestinal sections.Integrative analysis of serum metabolomics and gut microbiota revealed that ELE1000 improved nutrient metabolism by modulating amino acid and ubiquinone biosynthesis and influenced the abundance of intestinal microbiota by enriching pivotal genera such as Bacteroides and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group.We identified 15 metabolites significantly correlated with both gut microbiota and laying performance,e.g.,DL-methionine sulfoxide,THJ2201 N-valerate metabolite,tetracarbonic acid,etc.In conclusion,ELE1000 improved laying performance in elderly laying hens by affecting intestinal morphology,barrier function,microbiota,and serum metabolite profiles.These findings suggest that ELE can be a beneficial feed additive for extending the peak producing period in aged laying hens.

Effects of metabolizable energy and crude protein levels on laying performance,egg quality and serum biochemical indices of Fengda-1 layers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary ME and CP levels on laying performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indices of Fengda-1 layers. In a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, 2,400 Fengda-1 layers(32 wk of age) were randomly assigned to 6 experimental diets with 2,650 and 2,750 kcal of ME/kg of diet, each containing 14.50%, 15.00% and 15.50% CP, respectively. Each dietary treatment was replicated 5 times, and feed and water were provided ad libitum. The trial lasted for 10 wk, including a2-week acclimation period and an 8-week experimental period. Our results showed that ADFI decreased as the ME level of diet increased from 2,650 to 2,750 kcal/kg(P< 0.05). Layers fed diets with 2,750 kcal/kg ME exhibited higher mortality than those fed with 2,650 kcal/kg ME(P < 0.05). Birds fed with 14.50% and15.00% CP had higher egg production(EP) and egg mass(EM) than those fed with 15.50% CP(P < 0.05).Yolk color increased as the ME level of the diet increased from 2,650 to 2,750 kcal/kg, however, the eggshell thickness decreased(P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of uric acid and triglyceride in layers fed diets with 2,750 kcal/kg ME were higher than those fed diets with 2,650 kcal/kg ME(P < 0.05). There was no significant interaction between ME and CP on laying performance, egg quality, or serum biochemical indices(P > 0.05). Based on the data under the experimental conditions, the optimal dietary ME and CP levels of Fengda-1 layers are 2,650 kcal/kg and 15.00%(33 to 41 wk of age).