Light intensity can influence plasma FSH and age at sexual maturity in domestic pullets

Pu-erh tea theabrownin improves the ovarian function and gut microbiota in laying hens

Studies have reported that theabrownin can moderate the lipid metabolism and intestinal microbiota, thereby affecting the health of humans and model animals, however the research on laying hens is scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary theabrownin supplementation on lipid metabolism, microbial composition and ovarian function in laying hens. A total of 80 laying hens (25 wk of age) were fed with normal diet (CON) and normal diet +100 mg/kg theabrownin (PT group) for 12 wk. The results showed that the addition of theabrownin enhanced villus height of duodenum and decreased crypt depth of jejunum (P < 0.05). At the same time, compared with CON, the concentration of IL-6 and the mRNA expression of IL-1β and IL-6 were decreased significantly in PT group (P < 0.05). Dietary theabrownin reduced the concentration of total cholesterol and glycerol, while decreased lipid droplet optical density in liver (P < 0.05). Compared with CON group, the mRNA expression of PPARγ, HMG-CoAS, ACC were down-regulated and the mRNA expression of CYP8B1 was up-regulated in PT group (P < 0.05). The ACE, Chao1 and Observed_species indexes in cecum microbiota were increased by PT group intervention (P < 0.05). Dietary PT supplementation enhanced the relative abundance of Firmicutes (phylum), Lactobacillus (genus) and the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (phylum) in cecum (P < 0.05). The organic acids and its derivatives were up-regulated by theabrownin intervention in serum metabolites (P < 0.05). Dietary theabrownin supplementation resulted in higher mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and SIRT1 in ovary and increased the concentration of estradiol in serum (P < 0.05). These discovering indicated that dietary theabrownin supplementation enhanced the intestinal function and influenced serum metabolism by improving intestinal morphology, microbiota community structure and reducing the concentration and expression of inflammatory cytokines in intestine. Dietary theabrownin reduced hepatic lipid deposition and it also decreased the cell apoptosis rate to improve ovarian function and egg weight which were associated with the SIRT1 pathway.

Shudi Erzi San relieves ovary aging in laying hens

Poultry meat and eggs are a primary source of animal protein. To meet the market needs, high yield laying hens are reared continuously, resulting in quick ovary aging. Thus, we investigated the anti-aging effects of Shudi Erzi San (SES) on laying hens. Sixty 300-day-old laying hens were divided into 2 experimental groups and a control group. The control group was fed on a basic diet, which was supplemented with 1% and 2% SES for experimental groups I and II, respectively. Egg quality and changes in serum hormones and blood-biochemical indicators of laying hens were determined. The rate of egg production was significantly higher in group Ⅱ than in both the control and group Ⅰ by 9.29 and 8.22 percentage points, respectively (P < 0.05). Eggshell strength of groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). Albumen height and Haugh Units of group Ⅱ were significantly higher than those of the control (P < 0.05). Serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol in group Ⅱ were significantly higher than those of both the control and group Ⅰ (P < 0.05), whereas groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ had significantly higher serum levels of luteinizing hormone than the control (P < 0.05). Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) did not significantly differ between the control and group Ⅰ (P > 0.05), but SOD and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in group Ⅱ were significantly higher and lower, respectively (P < 0.05) when compared to the control. Compared with the control, uric acid levels in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ were significantly lower (P < 0.05), as was urea nitrogen in group Ⅱ (P < 0.05). Transcriptome and KEGG pathway analysis of ovarian tissues of laying hens showed a significant immune related signal pathway as the possible main regulator of a lysosome related signal pathway. Thus, supplementing chicken feed with SES improves egg production and quality and alleviates ovarian decline in laying hens.

Reproductive management of poultry

Based on data from the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization, about 120 million metric tons of poultry meat were produced globally in 2016. In addition, about 82 million metric tons of eggs were produced. One of the bases for this production is the reproductive efficiency of today's poultry. This, in turn, is due to their inherent reproductive physiology, intensive genetic selection and advances in husbandry/management. The system of reproduction in males in largely similar to that in mammals except that there is no descent of testes. In females, there are marked differences with there being a single ovary and oviduct; the latter being the name of the differentiated entire Müllerian duct. Moreover, females produce eggs with a yolky oocyte surrounded by albumen, membranes and shell. Among the most successful reproductive management techniques are optimizing photoperiod, light intensity and nutrition. Widespread employment of these has allowed maximizing production. Laying hens can be re-cycled toward the end egg production. Other aspects of reproductive management in poultry include the following: artificial insemination (almost exclusively employed in turkeys) and approaches to reduce broodiness together with cage free (colony), conventional, enriched and free-range systems.

Does light intensity affect the behavior, welfare, performance, meat quality, amino acid profile, and egg quality of Japanese quails?

The current study aimed to explore the impact of different light intensities on behavior, welfare, performance, meat quality, amino acid content, and egg quality of Japanese quails. A total of 600 1-day-old Japanese quail chicks were used (300/batch). Chicks were homogeneously classified into 3 groups (each of 100); low (10 lux), moderate (50 lux). and high light intensity (250 lux) groups. There was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of light intensity in most of the Japanese quails' behaviors. Quails reared on low light intensity showed the lowest behavior of feeding, drinking, flying, and feather picking, while the highest behaviors were preening, dust bathing, leg and wing stretching, and body shaking when compared with the other groups. Moreover, they had the better welfare (lowest H/L ratio and corticosterone levels). Quails of low light intensity groups possessed the heaviest body weight (145.17 g, P = 0.000) with the lowest daily feed intake (14.17 g) but with the best feed conversion ratio (3.39%, P = 0.000). Moreover, they had the heaviest slaughter (132.47 g, P = 0.000) and carcass weight (109.29 g, P = 0.000) and carcass yield (75.37%, P = 0.000) when compared with the others groups. Muscles of quails (both of pectoral and thigh) kept under low light intensity revealed the highest percentage of lightness, yellowness, and water-holding capacity with the lowest percentage of cooking loss, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and some amino acids. They also had the heaviest egg weight (11.24 g, P = 0.000) with the best external and internal egg-quality grades (P < 0.05). Consequently, low light intensity is suggested for improving quail's welfare, performance, and reproduction, while the high light intensity had a detrimental effect on both welfare and performance.

Effect of light intensity on broiler production, processing characteristics, and welfare

Manipulation of light intensity is an important management tool affecting broiler production and well being. Despite considerable research on light intensity, there is still a debate on the optimum level to be used for intensively housed broilers. Two trials were conducted with the objective of investigating the effect of light intensity, within the practical levels at confinement barns (1, 10, 20, and 40 lx), on production, processing characteristics, and welfare of broilers raised to 35 d of age. Each light intensity treatment was replicated in 2 environmentally controlled rooms in each trial with 950 Ross × Ross 308 chicks per room. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with trial serving as a block. All chicks were exposed to 40 lx of light intensity and 23 h of light for the first 7 d followed by treatment light intensity and 17 h of day length thereafter. Body weight and feed consumption were determined at 7, 14, and 35 d of age. At the end of each trial, 60 birds per treatment were processed to determine the detailed meat yield. Skeletal and footpad and ocular health were monitored at 31 and 32 d of age, respectively. Body weight, feed consumption, feed:gain ratio, and mortality were unaffected by light intensity. Carcass, thigh, and drum yield as a percentage of live weight decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. The 1 lx treatment resulted in heavier wings as a percentage of live weight. Light intensity had no effect on skeletal health, but ulcerative footpad lesions decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. Birds exposed to the 1 lx treatment had heavier and larger eyes. In conclusion, light intensity did not affect broiler production and mortality but did affect carcass characteristics. The 1 lx light intensity treatment had a negative effect on broiler welfare as demonstrated by increased ulcerative footpad lesions and eye size.