A grape seed extract maternal dietary supplementation in reproductive hens reduces oxidative stress associated to modulation of plasma and tissue adipokines expression and improves viability of offsprings

Enriching Eggs with Bioactive Compounds through the Inclusion of Grape Pomace in Laying Hens Diet: Effect on Internal and External Egg Quality Parameters

(1) Background: Grapes and their associated by-products (such as grape pomace, GP) stand out for their polyphenol content, which makes them a source of bioactive compounds with antioxidant capacity. The aim of this research was to determine if the inclusion of 50 g/kg of GP in the diet of hens could enrich eggs with antioxidants and to study its effect on internal and external egg quality parameters. (2) Methods: A trial was conducted with two genetic lines of hens, which were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 50 g/kg of GP. Performance, internal and external egg quality, and egg yolk content of vitamins E and A and gallic acid were determined. (3) Results: In eggs laid by hens fed a GP diet, Haugh units and yolk color scores were enhanced, and eggshells became thinner, but without affecting the breaking strength. No dietary effect was observed on the vitamin contents of the yolk. A higher gallic acid content was observed in the yolks of eggs laid by hens fed the GP diet, suggesting that some dietary phenolic compounds could be transferred to the eggs. Hen genetics influenced egg weight, albumen Haugh units, shell thickness, and α- and γ-tocopherol concentration in yolks. (4) Conclusions: Dietary inclusion of GP improved the internal quality of eggs, enriching yolks with a phenolic compound but reducing shell thickness.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a dry grape extract (Nor-Grape® α) for all avian species (Nor-Feed S.A.S.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a dry grape extract (Nor-Grape® α) as a zootechnical feed additive, functional group physiological condition stabilisers - increase antioxidant defences, for all avian species. The additive is already authorised for use as a feed flavouring for all animal species, except dogs. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for all avian species. The use of the additive in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety. Based on the data submitted, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the potential of the additive to be a skin or eye irritant or a dermal or respiratory sensitiser. However, the Panel considered that exposure through inhalation is likely. The use of the feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The Panel was unable to conclude on the potential of the additive to be efficacious under the proposed conditions of use.

The influence of selection in wild pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) breeding on reproduction and the involvement of the chemerin system

Chemerin is a hormone produced mainly by adipose tissue and liver. We have recently shown that it is locally produced in the reproductive tract in hens, particularly at the magnum level, leading to its accumulation in the egg albumen. We have also determined that chemerin is necessary for egg fertilization, embryo development, and angiogenesis within the chorio-allantoic membrane in chicken species. We, therefore, hypothesize that chemerin, widely present in various gallinacean species, could be a marker of egg fertility in this animal order. To demonstrate this, we used a model close to the hen: the pheasant. By RT-qPCR, we have shown that chemerin and its three receptors CMKLR1, GPR1, and CCRL2 are expressed in the reproductive tract of females. In addition, chemerin is also produced predominantly in the magnum and accumulates in the egg albumen as determined by immunoblot. We then compared two lines of pheasants with different reproductive characteristics: the F11 and F22 breeds. F22 lays more eggs than F11, but have significantly lower fertility and hatchability rates. In addition, F22 exhibit a significantly lower amount of chemerin protein in their magnum (P < 0.01) and in the egg albumen (P < 0.0001) compared to F11. Finally, we observed a positive correlation between the chemerin amount in the albumen of F11 eggs and the hatching rate of the eggs (r = 0.5; P = 0.04) as well as a negative correlation between the chemerin quantity in the albumen of F22 eggs and the rate of unfertilized eggs (r = -0.37; P = 0.04). Finally, chemerin system (ligand and receptors) is also expressed within embryo annexes (chorioallantoic and amniotic membranes) during incubation. These data demonstrate an interspecies conservation of chemerin production in the magnum, its accumulation in the egg albumen and its possible use as a marker for determining the quality of eggs in term of fertility and embryo development.

Chemerin is secreted by the chicken oviduct, accumulates in egg albumen and could promote embryo development

Understanding of the distribution of chemerin and its receptors, Chemokine-like Receptor 1 (CMKLR1), G Protein-coupled Receptor 1 (GPR1) and Chemokine (C–C motif) receptor-like 2 (CCRL2), in the egg and the embryonic annexes is currently lacking, and their role during embryogenesis remains unknown. By immunoblot using monoclonal anti-chicken antibodies and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA), we found that chemerin is expressed 10 times higher in albumen eggs than in blood plasma, and it is also abundant in the perivitelline membrane but undetectable in yolk. Chicken chemerin can inhibit bacterial growth. By Reverse Transcription—quantitative Polymerisation Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), western-blot, and immunofluorescence, we show that chemerin is locally produced by the oviduct magnum that participates in albumen formation. Using cultures of magnum explants, we demonstrate that progesterone (P4) and oestradiol (E2) treatment increases chemerin secretion into cultured media and expression in magnum. Chemerin and its three receptors are present in amniotic and Chorio Allantoic Membranes (CAM). Only CMKLR1 expression decreased from embryonic day (ED) 7 to ED11 and remained low until ED18. Chemerin concentrations strongly increased in amniotic fluid at D14 when egg albumen crossed the amniotic membrane. In ovo injections of neutralising chemerin and CMKLR1 antibodies (0.01, 0.1 and 1 µg) increased embryo mortality, which occurred mainly at ED12-13, in a dose-dependent manner. Chemerin treatment increased primary CAM viability. Finally, chemerin and CMKLR1 inhibition within the CAM led to a decrease in blood vessel development and associated angiogenic gene expression. Our results show an important function of the chemerin system during embryo development in chickens, suggesting the potential use of this adipokine as a predictive marker for egg fertility or hatchability.

Proanthocyanidins and Where to Find Them: A Meta-Analytic Approach to Investigate Their Chemistry, Biosynthesis, Distribution, and Effect on Human Health

Proanthocyanidins (PACs) are a class of polyphenolic compounds that are attracting considerable interest in the nutraceutical field due to their potential health benefits. However, knowledge about the chemistry, biosynthesis, and distribution of PACs is limited. This review summarizes the main chemical characteristics and biosynthetic pathways and the main analytical methods aimed at their identification and quantification in raw plant matrices. Furthermore, meta-analytic approaches were used to identify the main plant sources in which PACs were contained and to investigate their potential effect on human health. In particular, a cluster analysis identified PACs in 35 different plant families and 60 different plant parts normally consumed in the human diet. On the other hand, a literature search, coupled with forest plot analyses, highlighted how PACs can be actively involved in both local and systemic effects. Finally, the potential mechanisms of action through which PACs may impact human health were investigated, focusing on their systemic hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects and their local anti-inflammatory actions on the intestinal epithelium. Overall, this review may be considered a complete report in which chemical, biosynthetic, ecological, and pharmacological aspects of PACs are discussed.

Maternal dietary supplementation with grape seed extract in reproductive hens increases fertility in females but decreases semen quality in males of the F1 generation

Genetic selection in parental broiler breeders has increased their susceptibility to metabolic disorders and reproductive dysfunction. We have recently shown that maternal dietary grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation in hens improves fertility parameters, egg quality, oxidative stress in different tissues and the quality of F1 chicks. Here, we analysed the growth and fertility (both female and male) of the F1 generation animals and the quality of their offspring (F2 generation). Eggs issued from hens supplemented with GSE presented lower ROS production than control hens, suggesting a change in the embryonic environment. However, this did not affect the growth nor the body composition of male and female F1s from hatching to adulthood (37 weeks of age). At 37 weeks of age, the biochemistry analysis of the GSE-F1 muscle has revealed an increase in sensitivity to oxidative stress and a slight change in lipid composition. Both male and female F1-GSE groups presented a delay in puberty with a lower testis volume at 30 weeks of age and lower ovary development at 26 weeks of age. Adult GSE-F1 males did not present histological alterations of seminiferous tubules or semen production, but the semen quality was degraded due to higher oxidative stress and DNA-damaged spermatozoa compared with control F1 animals. In adult GSE-F1 females, despite the delay in puberty, the females laid more eggs of better quality (fewer broken eggs and a higher hatching rate). At hatching, the weight of the chicks from GSE-F1 females was reduced, and this effect was stronger in F2 male chicks (F2) compared with F2 control chicks (F2), because of the lower muscle volume. In conclusion, we can raise the hypothesis that maternal dietary GSE supplementation produces eggs with change in embryonic metabolism, which may affect in adulthood the fertility. The data obtained from the F1-GSE group pointed to a sex-specific modification with higher egg quality in females but semen sensitive to stress in males. Finally, male F2 chicks were leaner than control chicks. Thus, maternal dietary grape seed extract (GSE) supplementation in hens may impact on the fertility of the offspring in a sex-specific manner in subsequent generations.

Protective roles of grape seed (Vitis vinifera L.) extract against cobalt(II) nitrate stress in Allium cepa L. root tip cells

Excessive doses of toxic metals such as cobalt may cause detrimental hazards to exposed organisms. Six groups of onion bulbs were formed to investigate the therapeutic effects of grape seed extract (GSE) against cobalt(II) nitrate (Co(NO₃)₂) exposure in Allium cepa L. root tips. Control group was irrigated with tap water, while the latter groups were exposed to 150 mg/L GSE, 300 mg/L GSE, 5.5 ppm Co(NO₃)₂, 5.5 ppm Co(NO₃)₂ + 150 mg/L GSE and 5.5 ppm Co(NO₃)₂ + 300 mg/L GSE, respectively. Co(NO₃)₂ treatment seriously inhibited the root growth, germination and weight gain of the bulbs. Mitotic index was significantly decreased, whereas the chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei incidence exhibited a remarkable increase. In addition, Co(NO₃)₂ induced a variety of anatomical disorders in onion roots. Lipid peroxidation levels of the cellular membranes were assessed measuring the malondialdehyde content (MDA). MDA amount in Co(NO₃)₂-treated group reached the highest level among all groups. Co(NO₃)₂ treatment enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The addition of GSE to Co(NO₃)₂ solution substantially suppressed the negative effects of Co(NO₃)₂ in a dose-dependent manner by strengthening the antioxidant defence system and reducing the cytotoxicity. Moreover, there was a significant recovery in growth parameters following the grape seed addition to Co(NO₃)₂. GSE had a remarkable reduction in genotoxicity when treated as a mixture with Co(NO₃)₂. Overall data obtained from this investigation proved that GSE, as a promising functional by-product, had a protective effect on Allium cepa L. against the toxic effects of Co(NO₃)₂.

Microbiota Changes Due to Grape Seed Extract Diet Improved Intestinal Homeostasis and Decreased Fatness in Parental Broiler Hens

In poultry, the selection of broilers for growth performance has induced a deterioration in the health of the parental hens associated with poor reproductive efficiency. To improve these parameters, we administered to laying parental broiler hens a regular diet supplemented or not (Control) with a moderate (1%) or a high level (2%) of grape seed extract (GSE). The 1% GSE diet was administered from a young age (from 4 to 40 weeks of age) and the high level of 2% GSE was administered only during a 2-week period (from 38 to 40 weeks of age) in the laying period. The analysis of 40-week-old hens showed that 2% GSE displayed a reduction in the fat tissue and an improvement in fertility with heavier and more resistant eggs. Seven monomer phenolic metabolites of GSE were significantly measured in the plasma of the 2% GSE hens. GSE supplementation increased the relative abundance of the following bacteria populations: Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacilliaceae and Lachnospiraceae. In conclusion, a supplementation period of only 2 weeks with 2% GSE is sufficient to improve the metabolic and laying parameters of breeder hens through a modification in the microbiota.

Chemerin Impairs In Vitro Testosterone Production, Sperm Motility, and Fertility in Chicken: Possible Involvement of Its Receptor CMKLR1

The chemokine chemerin is a novel adipokine involved in the regulation of energy metabolism but also female reproductive functions in mammals. Its effects on male fertility are less studied. Here, we investigated the involvement of chemerin in chicken male reproduction. Indeed, the improvement of the sperm of roosters is a challenge for the breeders since the sperm quantity and quality have largely decreased for several years. By using specific chicken antibodies, here we show that chemerin and its main receptor CMKLR1 (chemokine-like receptor 1) are expressed within the chicken testis with the lowest expression in adults as compared to the embryo or postnatal stages. Chemerin and CMKLR1 are present in all testicular cells, including Leydig, Sertoli, and germinal cells. Using in vitro testis explants, we observed that recombinant chicken chemerin through CMKLR1 inhibits hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) stimulated testosterone production and this was associated to lower 3βHSD (3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase) and StAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein) expression and MAPK ERK2 (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that chemerin in seminal plasma is lower than in blood plasma, but it is negatively correlated with the percentage of motility and the spermatozoa concentration in vivo in roosters. In vitro, we show that recombinant chicken chemerin reduces sperm mass and individual motility in roosters, and this effect is abolished when sperm is pre-incubated with an anti-CMKLR1 antibody. Moreover, we demonstrate that fresh chicken sperm treated with chemerin and used for artificial insemination (AI) in hen presented a lower efficiency in terms of eggs fertility for the four first days after AI. Taken together, seminal chemerin levels are negatively associated with the rooster fertility, and chemerin produced locally by the testis or male tract could negatively affect in vivo sperm quality and testosterone production through CMKLR1.

A grape seed extract maternal dietary supplementation improves egg quality and reduces ovarian steroidogenesis without affecting fertility parameters in reproductive hens

In broiler hens, the genetic selection increased susceptibility to metabolic disorders and reproductive dysfunctions. In human ovarian cells, grape seed extracts (GSE) improved steroid production. Here, we investigated the effects of a GSE dietary supplementation on egg production and quality, fertility parameters, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and steroid content in yolk egg associated to plasma adipokines in broiler hens. For this, we designed two in vivo experiments, the first one included three groups of hens: A (control), B and C (supplemented with GSE at 0.5% and 1% of the total diet composition, respectively, since week 4), and the second one used two groups of hens: A (control) and D (supplemented with GSE at 1% of the total diet composition since hatching). We assessed the egg production from 23^th to 40^th weeks and quality at 33^th week. After artificial inseminations, the fertility parameters were calculated. In egg yolk, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) level and steroid production were evaluated by Ros-Glo H202 and ELISA assay, respectively. Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and adipokines and their receptors was determined by RT-qPCR in ovarian cells and plasma adipokines (RARRES2, ADIPOQ and NAMPT) were evaluated by specific ELISA assays. The fertility parameters and egg production were unaffected by GSE supplementation whatever the experiment (exp.). However, the rate of double-yolk eggs decreased for all GSE supplemented groups (exp. 1 P <0.01, exp.2, P<0.02). In exp.1, C group eggs were bigger and larger (P<0.0001) and the shell elasticity was higher for both B and C (P<0.0003) as compared to control. In the egg yolk, GSE supplementation in both exp. reduced ROS content and steroidogenesis consistent with a decrease in P450 aromatase and StAR mRNA expression and basal in vitro progesterone secretion in granulosa cells (P<0.001). Interestingly, in both exp. RARRES2 plasma levels were positively correlated while ADIPOQ and NAMPT plasma levels were negatively correlated, with steroids and ROS in yolk (P<0.0001). Taken together, maternal dietary GSE supplementation did not affect egg production and fertility parameters whereas it reduced ROS content and steroidogenesis in yolk egg. Furthermore, it ameliorated egg quality by decreasing the number of double-yolk eggs and by improving the size of normal eggs and the elasticity of the shell. Taken together, our data suggest the possibility of using dietary maternal GSE to improve egg quality.