Effects of Xylooligosaccharide(XOS)and Probiotics(PRO)on Production Performance,Egg Quality and Intestinal Short-chain Fatty Acids of Laying Hens in Late Laying Period

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of xylooligosaccharide(XOS)and probiotics(PRO)and their interaction on the production performance,egg quality and intestinal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens in late laying period.[Method]A total of 36074-week-old Romain brown laying hens were randomly divided into four groups,six replicates each group and 15 chickens each replicate.The trial lasted 63 d.The laying hens in control group(CON)were fed with basal diet,and those in experimental groups were fed with the basal diets adding with 150 mg/kg XOS(XOS group),100 mg/kg probiotics(PRO group),150 mg/kg XOS+100 mg/kg probiotics(XOS-PRO group).[Result]Compared with the control group,the laying rate,daily egg production,yolk ratio,colonic acetic acid and caecal propionic acid in XOS group increased significantly(P<0.05),and the feed gain ratio decreased remarkably(P<0.05).PRO had no significant effect on the production performance and egg quality of laying hens in late laying period(P>0.05),but significantly increased colonic acetic acid(P<0.05).XOS and PRO had no interaction effect on the production performance,egg quality and intestinal short-chain fatty acids of laying hens in late laying period(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Adding XOS to the diet of laying hens in late laying period could increase the content of short-chain fatty acids in the hindgut of laying hens,and effectively improve the production performance and egg quality of laying hens in late laying period.Adding PRO to the diet did not significantly improve the production performance and egg quality of laying hens,and there was no interaction effect between XOS and PRO.

Application of Several Additives Instead of Antibiotics in the Production of Laying Hens

[ Objective ] The test was conducted to study the effect of three different additives instead of antibiotics in the production of laying hens. [ Method ] Basal diets in four test groups were added with 0. 015 % oxytetracycline, 0. 01% microecological preparation, 0.2% fulvic acid, and 0. 1% Chinese herbal medi- cine extract respectively, and laying hens in control group were fed with basal diets. Effect of four different additives on performance and egg quality were studied under the temperature of 28.6℃. [ Result] The average egg-laying rate and feed-egg ratio in groups 2, 3 and 4 were significantly better than those in control group and group 1 （P 〈 0.05 ）. The contents of fat and cholesterol in eggs in groups 2, 3 and 4 were lower than those in control group and group 1. And the fat content of eggs in group 4 was 13.42% lower than that in control group, the difference was significant （ P 〈 0.05 ）. The protein contents in groups 2, 3 and 4 were signifi- cantly higher than those in control group and group 1 （P 〈 0.05 ）. [Condusion ] Microecological preparation, fulvic acid and Chinese herbal medicine extract could replace antibiotics to be applied in the production of laying hens.

Microbiome and ileum transcriptome revealed the boosting effects of selenium yeast on egg production in aged laying hens

The declines in laying performance during the late productionperiod have adverse effects on the length of theproduction cycle. Improving the nutrition of laying hens is a crucialmeasure to reverse this declination. Thisstudy investigatedthe effect of seleniumyeast (SY)on egg production, ileal gene expressionandmicrobiota, aswell as elucidating their associations in aged laying hens. A total of 375 Jinghong laying hens at 76weeks oldwere randomly assigned into 5 dietary treatments, which included a selenium-deficient basal diet based oncorn-soybean meal, and dietary supplementation of SY at 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 mg/kg, and sodium selenite at0.45mg/kg.The results showed that SYamelioratedthe depressionin aged layingperformance inthe 0.30mg/kg group (P < 0.01). Selenium yeast significantly increased ileum selenium concentration (P < 0.05), and SYgroups had higher seleniumdeposition efficiency than the sodiumselenite group. Functional enrichment andShort Time-series Expression Miner (STEM) analysis indicated that SY activated metabolic progress (e.g.,glycerolipidmetabolism, glycerophospholipidmetabolism, andfattyacidmetabolism),immune responseandoxidative stress response. Four hub genes including thioredoxin reductase 1 (TXNRD1), dihydrolipoamidedehydrogenase (DLD), integrin linked kinase (ILK) and leucine zipper tumor suppressor 2 (LZTS2) wereinvolved in intestinal metabolismwhich was closely associated with selenium deposition/status. Moreover,the relative abundance of Veillonella, Turicibacter and Lactobacillus was significantly increased, but the relativeabundance of Stenotrophomonas was significantly decreased by SY supplementation. Multi-omics dataintegration and Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that both the ileumselenium content andthe laying rate were highly correlated with pathways and bacteria enriched in metabolism and immuneresponse. Meanwhile, the “switched on” gene prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) had a positive relationshipwith Veillonella and a negative relationship with the opportunistic pathogens Stenotrophomonas. Overall, ourstudy offered insight for the further exploration of the role of SY on boosting egg production and balancingileum intestinal flora in aged laying hens.

Effects of Fermentation Product Containing Phytase on Productive Performance,Egg Quality,and Phosphorous Apparent Metabolism of Laying Hens Fed Different Levels of Phosphorus

This study investigated the effects of fermentation product containing phytase （FPP） that was fermented using waste vinegar residue （WVR） as substrate from Aspergillusficuum NTG-23 on productive performance, egg quality, and phosphorus apparent metabolism of laying hens. First, 375 22-wk-old Jinghong hens were allocated into 5 treatments （5 replicates of 15 hens each） in an 8-wk experiment for evaluating the parameters of productive performance, egg quality, serum, and tibia. Experimental diets contained 4% FPP and 96% corn-soybean diet. The levels of dicalciurn phosphate （DCP） were 1.34, 1.01, 0.67, 0.34 and 0%. Next, thirty 31-wk-old Jinghong hens were fed 5 types of diets for evaluating phosphorous apparent metabolism rate. Egg productive rate, egg weight, feed conversion ratio, Haugh unit, egg albumen height, serum calcium, tibia ash, tibia ash calcium and tibia breaking strength were not different significantly among 5 treatments. The significant difference of average daily feed intake was not appeared when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.67%; the eggshell hardness, eggshell thickness and serum phosphorus were not reduced significantly until the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was reduced to 0.34%. The yolk color was improved when the laying hens fed deficient DCP corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 22.14% reduction in excreta phosphorus was observed when the laying hens fed low phosphorus （0.67% DCP） corn-soybean-FPP diet. A 30% elevation of phosphorus apparent metabolism rate was obtained when the DCP content of corn-soybean-FPP diet was decreased from 1.34 to 1.01%. The reducing cost of layer diet was totalized about 120 CNY 1000 kg1 diet when the content of DCP was 0.67% in corn-soybean-FPP diet. These results indicated that FPP could be applied in laying hen as a potential, cost-effective and rational application of WVR.

Effect of Dietary Mulberry Leaves on Productive Performance,Egg Quality and Blood Biochemistry in Laying Hens

[Objective] The aim was to provide more information about the possible use of mulberry leaves in hen diets.[Method] Two hundred ninety two Hyline Gray laying hens, 48 wk old, were randomly allotted into four groups with 73 chickens per group. Each group was fed for 6 wk with diets that contained dried mulberry leaves at 0, 5, 10, or 15%. [ Result] The rate of egg production, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, body weight, blood glucose level, total blood cholesterol, and triglyeride, and cholesterol of egg yolk in the dietary mulberry leaf groups were lower than the 0% mulberry leaves group. Compared with the 0% group, the feed required to produce 1 kg of eggs was 12.8% more in the 15% dietary mul- berry leaf group. Body weight and cholesterol of egg yolk decreased significantly in this group （P 〈0.05）. Blood glucose and triglyerides in the 15% dietary mulberry leaf group were significantly lower than in the 0 and 5% dietary mulberry leaf groups （P 〈0.05）. Yolk color in all treatments was higher than in the 0% group （P 〈0.05）, and Roche pigmentation score increased by 2 -2.9. One -deoxynojirimycin was detected from egg white in all treatments, and its content varied significantly between groups （ P 〈0.05）. E Conclusion] This study reflected the hypoglycemic and lipid -low- ering effects of mulberry leaves on productive performance and egg quality in laying hens. The suggested proportion of dietary mulberry leaves was 5% -10%.

Fermented soybean meal improved laying performance and egg quality of laying hens by modulating cecal microbiota,nutrient digestibility,intestinal health,antioxidant and immunological functions

Antinutritional factors in feedstuffs may limit their utilization in livestock production,but fermentation process can be used to improve feed quality;however,studies on fermented soybeans for laying hens remain limited.We investigated the effect of fermented soybean meal(FSBM)at various inclusion levels as a partial replacement for soybean meal(SBM)on egg production,egg quality,amino acid digestibility,gut morphology and microbiota,antioxidant capacity and immune response of young laying hens.A total of 360 Hy-line Brown laying hens aged 18 weeks were selected and divided into 5 groups of 6 replicates each and 12 birds per replicate.The control group received a basal diet while the trial group received the basal diet with FSBM included at 2.5%,5.0%,7.5%and 10.0%,respectively,for 12 weeks.Our findings revealed that the nutritional value of FSBM was higher compared to that of SBM in terms of reduced content of trypsin inhibitors and increased contents of crude protein,amino acids and minerals.FSBM enhanced egg production(P<0.05),feed-to-egg ratio(P<0.05),and albumen quality(albumen height and Haugh unit)(P<0.05).Furthermore,FSBM improved apparent fecal amino acid digestibility(P<0.05),gut morphology(increased villus height,villus width,villus height-to-crypt depth ratio and decreased crypt depth)(P<0.05),antioxidant capacity(reduced malondialdehyde and increased catalase,total superoxide dismutase,glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity)(P<0.05)and immune function(increased concentrations of IgG,IgA,and IgM;increased levels of transforming growth factor beta and Toll-like receptor 2;and reduced levels of interleukin 1βand tumor necrosis factor alpha)(P<0.05).Further analysis showed that FSBM altered the composition of the gut microbiota favoring beneficial microbes.These findings suggest that probiotic fermentation improved the nutritional value of SBM.The inclusion of FSBM in the diets of laying hens at 2.5%or 5.0%improved amino acid digestibility,gut health,immune function,egg production and egg quality.

Effects of Desmodium uncinatum Leaf Meal in the Diet on Lohmann Brown Hens’ Laying Performance and Eggs Quality

A cheap, safe and available alternative protein source to soybean is a huge priority for the developing world. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of Desmodium uncinatum leaf meal incorporation levels in the diet on Lohmann Brown hens’ laying performances. For this purpose, 60 Lohmann Brown hens aged 33 weeks with an average weight of 1.78 kg were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups of 20 birds each with 4 replicates. The experimental treatments consisted of DULM 0, DULM5, and DULM10 containing 0, 5 and 10 kg of D. uncinatum leaf meal (DULM) per 100 kg of feed respectively. The results reveal that except for the weights of hens, laying performances were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by DULM in the diet. Daily feed intake was lower with 10% incorporation of DULM in the diet as compared to a diet with 5% DULM which recorded the highest value for this parameter. Moreover, the highest value for the egg weight, egg mass, yolk index, albumen index and egg production were recorded with diet DULM5. On the other hand, the diet with 10% of DULM (DULM10) recorded the highest relative shell weight, feed conversion ratio and egg price. Nevertheless, the mortality rate found in this study was 0% for all treatments confirming the good quality of DULM as protein feedstuff for layer. It was concluded that incorporation levels of D. uncinatum leaves at 5% in the diet improved the laying performances of Lohmann Brown hens.

Effects of dietary glycerol monolaurate on productive performance, egg quality, serum biochemical indices, and intestinal morphology of laying hens

Glycerol mono laurate(GML)has been widely used as an effective antibacterial emulsifier in the food in?dustry.A total of 360 44-week-old Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly distributed into four groups each with six replicates of 15 birds,and fed with com-soybean-meal-based diets supplemented with 0,0.15,0.30,and 0.45 g/kg GML,respectively.Our results showed that 0.15,0.30,and 0.45 g/kg GML treatments significantly decreased feed conversion ratios(FCRs)by 2.65%,7.08%,and 3.54%,respectively,and significantly increased the laying rates and average egg weights.For egg quality,GML drastically in creased albume n height and Haugh units,and enhanced yolk color.Notably,GML increased the concentrations of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and reduced the concentration of total saturated fatty acids in the yolk.The albumen composition was also significantly modified,with an increase of 1.02%in total protein content,and increased 8ntents of His(4.55%)and Glu(2.02%)under the 0.30 g/kg GML treatment.Additionally,GML treatments had positive effects on the lipid metabolism of laying hens,including lowering the serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and reducing fat deposit!on in abdominal adipose tissue.Intestinal morphology was also improved by GML treatment,with increased villus length and villus height to crypt depth ratio.Our data demonstrated that GML supplementation of laying hens could have beneficial effects on both their productivity and physiological properties,which indicates the potential application of GML as a functional feed additive and gives us a new in sight into this traditional food additive.

Dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide level and xylanase supplementation influence performance,egg quality and nutrient utilization in laying hens fed wheat-based diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharide(sNSP)content and xylanase supplementation on production performance,egg quality parameters,and nutrient di-gestibility in Hy-line Brown layers from 25 to 32 wk of age.A total of 144 Hy-line Brown laying hens(25 wk of age)were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 wheat-based dietary treatments in a 2×2 factorial experimental design,with 36 replicates of individual hens per treatment.The diets were formulated to contain either a high or low sNSP level(at 13.3 or 10.8 g/kg)and were supplemented with either 0 or 12,000 BXU/kg exogenous xylanase.Birds were fed these treatment diets for an 8-wk period,and hen production perfor-mance,including daily egg production,average egg weight,daily egg mass,feed conversion ratio and pro-portion of dirty and abnormal eggs were measured at bird age 25 to 28 wk and 29 to 32 wk.An interaction between sNSP content of the diet and xylanase supplementation was observed on daily egg production from 25 to 28 wk of age(P-0.018);birds fed the high sNSP diet without xylanase had lower egg production than those fed any other treatment.An interaction between the 2 dietary factors was also observed on hen weight gain at 29 to 32 wk of age(P=0.014),with birds fed the low sNSP diet with 12,000 BXU/kg xylanase presenting greater weight gain compared to those fed the high sNSP diet with 12,000 BXU/kg xylanase.Feed intake at 29 to 32 wk of age was reduced by xylanase supplementation(P=0.047).Xylanase supplemen-tation also increased yolk colour score at both 28 and 32 wk of age,and decreased yolk weight at 32 wk of age(P-0.014,0.037 and 0.013,respectively).Birds fed the low sNSP diet presented lower protein digestibility(P-0.024)than those fed the high sNSP diet.Additionally,birds fed high sNSP presented higher shell reflectivity at both 28 and 32 wk of age(P-0.05 and 0.036,respectively).The influence of duration of feeding the treatment diets on egg quality was also determined.It was observed that egg weight,yolk weight and yolk colour score consistently increased over time,regardless of experimental treatment effects.In contrast,Haugh Unit and albumen height significantly decreased throughout the study period in all treatments,although this was less pronounced in hens fed the treatment with high sNSP and no supplemental xylanase.A reduction in shell breaking strength over time was observed only in hens fed the treatments without xylanase addition,and shell thickness was improved over time only in birds fed the low sNSP diet with xylanase.The impacts of the dietary treatments were largely inconsistent in this study,so a solid conclusion cannot be drawn.However,these findings do indicate that dietary NSP level influences layer production performance,and thus should be considered when formulating laying hen diets.It also proved that further research is warranted into how to optimize the benefits of xylanase application in laying hens.

A simple daily dynamic feeding regimen for reducing phosphorus consumption and excretion in laying hens

Phosphorus metabolism in laying hens is a highly dynamic process over the course of the 24 h egg-laying cycle.Adjusting the phosphorus feeding regimen according to the daily egg-laying cycle may help to improve phosphorus utilization efficiency.Hy-Line Brown layers(n=120;70 wk old)were offered 4different phosphorus daily regimens:(1)RR,fed regular phosphorus at both 09:00 and 17:00;(2)RL,fed regular phosphorus at 09:00 and low phosphorus at 17:00;(3)LR,fed low phosphorus at 09:00 and regular phosphorus at 17:00;(4)LL,fed low phosphorus at both 09:00 and 17:00.The regular and low phosphorus diets contained 0.32% and 0.14% non-phytate phosphorus,respectively.The feeding trial lasted for 12 wk.As a result,layers on the RL regimen had decreased laying rate(P<0.05;5 to 8,9 to 12,and 1 to 12 wk)when compared to all other regimens.Layers on the LL regimen had decreased eggshell thickness and specific gravity(P<0.05;wk 8)when compared to all other regimens,and had decreased egg shell strength(P<0.05;wk 8)when compared to RL and LR regimens.When compared to the RR regimen(a common practice in the industry),layers on the LR regimen had:(1)identical laying performance and egg quality(P>0.05);(2)decreased phosphorus excretion(P<0.05)during the period of09:00 to 17:00;(3)increased jejunal calbindin D28k protein expression(P<0.05)2 h after feeding in the morning;(4)decreased serum fibroblast growth factor 23 and calcitriol levels(P<0.05),decreased jejunal type Ⅲ sodium-phosphate cotransporter 2 gene and protein expression(P<0.05),and decreased renal type Ⅲ sodium-phosphate cotransporter 1 protein expression(P<0.05),2 h after feeding in the afternoon.In summary,when dietary phosphorus was supplemented in accordance with daily serum phosphorus rhythms(i.e.,the LR regimen),laying performance and egg quality were well supported whilst significantly decreasing phosphorus consumption and excretion.Thus,serum phosphorus rhythms will need to be carefully maintained when developing dietary phosphorus-reduction strategies in laying hens.

维生素C对蛋鸡的生产性能及新城疫抗体水平影响的研究

本研究探讨在常温下维生素Ｃ对蛋鸡的产蛋性能及新城疫抗体水平的影响。结果表明在日粮中添加维生素Ｃ．产蛋量、产蛋率、破蛋率和蛋重没有明显的提高，而畸形蛋率有所上升。因此常温下在日粮中不必添加维生素Ｃ。日粮中添加维生素Ｃ对蛋鸡新城疫抗体水平有较复杂的反应。