Albumen Height Research Articles

Impact of Dietary Supplementation of Vitamins C and E on the Productive Traits, Egg Quality and Immune Response of Guinea Fowl in Al-Ahsa Province, Saudia Arabia

Guinea fowl production makes significant contributions to animal protein through producing cheap meat and eggs, which serve as a buffer to shortages of poultry products. This study aims to e the effect of vitamin C, vitamin E solely and together on laying performance, egg quality and some blood parameters of Guinea fowl. A total of 180 black guinea fowls at eight months of age were equally divided into four groups, 45 birds, each. Each group was subdivided into 3 replicates, each one consists of 15 birds. The dietary treatments include the control group (basal diet); basal diet plus 500 mg /kg vitamin C (T1); basal diet plus 200 mg/kg vitamin E and basal diet plus 500 mg vitamin C and 200 mg vitamin E /kg feed. The results revealed that, the overall production characters including livability of laying guinea fowl were significantly improved (P<0.05) by the dietary inclusion of vitamin C and E singly or in combinations. The hen day egg production %, egg mass, albumen height, albumen weight, egg length, egg width and egg shell thickness were higher (P < 0.01) in the group supplemented with the combination of vitamin C and E in comparison with other treatment groups. In addition, supplementation of the dietary combination of vitamin C and E significantly increased (P<0.01) the Newcastle vaccine antibody titer and blood metabolites than single supplementation of both vitamins. In conclusion, the combined dietary supplementation of 500 mg /kg vitamin C and 200 mg/kg vitamin E had proved to be successful in improving the productive performance, egg quality, immune responses and the general health of black guinea fowl under present experimental conditions. This study proposes the synergistic beneficial action between vitamin C and vitamin E when supplemented together to Guinea fowl.

Effects of far infrared ray illumination on the performance, blood biochemistry, and faecal microflora of laying hens at different production stages

This study investigated the effect of far-infrared ray (FIR) illumination on performance, blood biochemistry, and faecal microflora of laying hens at different production stages. A total of 360 Hy-line brown laying hens were randomly allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with six replicates. Hens were distributed in two production stages (30–39 and 45–54 weeks-old). Each group was exposed to two light types (light emitting diode; LED and LED+FIR) in separate rooms. The LED treatment illuminated a wavelength of 650 ± 10 nm (0.65 ± 0.01 μm), while LED+FIR treatment emitted 15 ± 10 μm with an LED wavelength. The results showed an interaction between egg production stages and light types on the serum triglyceride concentration. The hens exposed to the LED+FIR and LED treatments showed similar egg production, feed intake, egg weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), as well as albumen height, haugh unit, and shell thickness of eggs. LED+FIR substantially decreased the concentration of serum cholesterol (CHOL), HDL cholesterol (HDLC), and triglyceride (TG) compared to LED lighting. LED+FIR substantially reduced the number of total microbes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella in faeces compared to birds exposed to LED light. These findings suggest that LED+FIR lights may improve hen health and the hen house environment.

The effect of theabrownins on the amino acid composition and antioxidant properties of hen eggs

Pu-erh tea theabrownins (TBs) exert beneficial effect on egg quality and antioxidant properties of eggs, but the underlying mechanisms behind this response are unclear. In this study, we investigate the effect of TBs on egg antioxidative activity, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, and the underlying relationship between the TBs and oxidant-sensitive Nrf2 signaling pathway in laying hens. Eighty layers were fed a basal diet (control) and 400 mg/kg of TBs supplemented diet for 12 wk. TBs led to an increase in albumen height and Haugh unit (P < 0.05). The albumen lysine, valine, and tryptophan were higher in layers fed TBs, whereas yolk tryptophan, methionine, vitamin A, and α-tocopherol content were enhanced by TBs (P < 0.05). Eggs albumen and yolk showed higher total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), reducing power (RP), and the scavenging rate of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH), and lower MDA content than those of eggs from the control group (P < 0.05). Also, magnum Nrf2, hemeoxygenase 1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and Bcl2 expression were up-regulated by TBs, whereas magnum proapoptotic gene (Bax, caspase 3, Cyt C) were down-regulated by TBs (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that TBs improved egg albumen quality and antioxidant activity, and the Nrf2-ARE pathway were found to be involved in this process.

Genetic parameters for production, quality, and colors from eggs in Brazilian lineages of chickens.

Genetic parameters were estimated for egg production, egg quality, and eggshell colors in eight lineages of Brazilian laying hens. Age at first egg (AFE), total egg production up to the 45th week (PROD), egg weight (EW), albumen height (AH), yolk color (YC), the Haugh units (HU), eggshell strength (ESS), eggshell thickness (EST), yolk weight (YW), eggshell weight (ESW), and eggshell color (L*, a*, and b*) were measured in 2030 eggs obtained from 645 laying hens. Variance components were estimated from a mixed animal model, which included the fixed effects of contemporary groups, cage location, and hen line, and the additive genetic, permanent environmental, and residual as random effects. In general, heritabilities were low to moderate (h2 = 0.11 to 0.48). Genetic correlations among eggshell quality traits were moderate to high (0.36 and 0.69). High genetic correlations were obtained between the eggshell color traits [rg = -0.90 (L* and a*); rg = -0.64 (L* and b*); and rg = 0.65 (a* and b*)]. Results suggest that EW is strongly correlated with ESW, but the genetic correlations between EW and ESS and between EW and EST were low. Genetic correlations between L* and eggshell quality traits were low to moderate, suggesting that L* has little or no relation with external egg quality. However, genetic correlations between a* and b* values and eggshell quality traits were high. The genetic correlations between eggshell color and eggshell quality traits were low, suggesting that the eggshell color does not influence external egg quality. Genetic correlations between PROD and egg quality traits were negative and varied between -0.42 and -0.05. This antagonistic relationship emphasizes the importance of adopting breeding schemes that allow the simultaneous genetic progress of these traits by considering their genetic correlation and economic relevance, such as the selection index.

Storage duration impacts on nutritional composition and quality of table eggs

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the duration of storage of ISA brown eggs at room temperature on the nutritional composition and quality of eggs. A total of one hundred and twenty (120) freshly laid eggs by 36 weeks old ISA brown layers were randomly collected and stored at room temperature for 21 days. On each sampling day (at week 0, week 1, week 2, and week 3 of storage), 30 eggs were broken to determine internal and external egg quality traits, proximate composition, and mineral profile. Collected data were subjected to statistical analysis. Duration of storage had a significant effect (p&lt;0.05) on egg traits, proximate components, and mineral profile except for egg shape index and shell thickness. The overall egg weight, egg length, egg width, shape index, shell weight, shell ratio, and shell thickness were 56.82g, 5.69mm, 4.43mm, 78.02, 7.45g, 13.11, and 0.28mm respectively, while yolk height, albumen height, yolk weight, albumen weight, albumen ratio, yolk ratio, and Haugh unit were 13.55mm, 4.97mm, 16.32g, 33.06g, 58.11, 28.82 and 67.50% respectively. The overall means for moisture, crude protein, ash, fat, and carbohydrate were 76.27%, 12.06%, and 1.83%, 4.62%, and 4.37% respectively. Most of the minerals increased in value as the eggs increased in age. The duration of storage of eggs affected the egg quality, proximate components, and mineral profile as these parameters determine acceptability by consumers. Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science 52 (1): 15-21, March 2023

TABLE EGG QUALITY AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION ASSESSEMENTS OF DIFFERENT BREEDS AND AGES OF LAYING HENS

Table eggs collected at random from one-hundred and fifty layers (75-FUNAAB-Alpha and 75- ISA brown) kept at Breeding Unit, Teaching and Research Farm, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa at 31st, 33rd, and 35th weeks (WK) of age were analyzed for internal and external characteristics within 24 hours of laying. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance to assess the effect of breed and age of the layers on egg quality. Breed had no significant effect (p &gt; 0.05) on the egg weight (Ewt), egg length (EL), shell weight (SW), shell ratio (SR), albumen weight (AW), albumen ratio (AR), yolk diameter (YD) and yolk height (YH) in all the ages considered. At WK 31 breed effect was observed (p &lt; 0.05) in egg width (EW), shell index (SI), yolk weight (YW), yolk ratio (YR), albumen height (AH) and haugh unit (HU), and higher values were observed in all the traits for ISA brown except yolk weight (YW) and yolk ratio (YR). Significant effect of breed (&lt; 0.05) was observed in HU and AH at WK33. Shell thickness (ST) and yolk index (YI) experienced breed effect at WK 35. Breed and age had no effect on nutritional compositions of eggs. It can be concluded that breed and layer's age do have effects on some egg quality parameters.

Effects of ultraviolet and ultrasound treatments applied before the storage period on egg quality characteristics

Egg is an important source of animal protein with its nutritional substances. These nutritional substances and the quality characteristics of the egg are affected by the physicochemical changes with the effect of various factors during storage. Different studies have been carried out to preserve the quality values of eggs during storage. In these studies, Ultraviolet applications were mostly used for the sanitation of eggs, while Ultraviolet applications were made to determine the internal quality of the egg without breaking the shell. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of ultraviolet and ultrasound applications applied before storage to the quality characteristics of the eggs collected from laying hens. Eggs collected in the morning were subjected to ultraviolet and ultrasound treatments before storage and stored for 28 days in an environment of 20°C and approximately 60% humidity. The applied treatments made a significant difference between the groups in egg shell thickness (p &amp;lt;0.01), albumen weight (p &amp;lt;0.01) and yolk dry matter value (p &amp;lt;0.01). Storage time, on the other hand, made significant changes between groups on weight loss, shell breaking strength, albumen and yolk quality characteristics. The interaction of applications and storage time was statistically significantly in weight and height of albumen, Haugh unit and dry matter of yolk. As a result, the effects of processes such as ultraviolet and ultrasound applied to eggs, especially on egg shell thickness, reveal the importance of application time and application amount in such studies.

Effects of Storage Time on Ostrich Egg Quality

Egg quality is considered as both internal egg quality that focuses on the egg content and external egg quality that focuses on the eggshell. This study investigated the effect of storage time on ostrich egg quality. A total of 15 ostrich eggs were obtained from Dibete Ostrich Multiplication Unit and subjected to five storage periods (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days) at room temperature (18-25oC). The measured parameters were egg weight, egg length, egg width, yolk weight, albumen weight, albumen height, yolk height, shell weight, egg specific gravity (ESG), egg surface area, Haugh Unit (HU), egg shape index, albumen ratio, shell ratio, yolk ratio and weight of egg contents. Results showed that storage time did not influence egg weight for eggs stored for 0, 3, and 6 days. On the other hand, storage time significantly affected egg weight for eggs stored at 9 and 12 days. The albumin ratio for egg storage duration had no significant impact on eggs held for 0, 3, or 6 days. However, the albumen ratios of eggs held for 9 and 12 days were impacted by the storage period compared to those stored for 0, 3, and 6 days. The HU for the eggs stored for 0, 3, and 6 days was not affected by storage time. On the contrary, the HU for eggs stored for 9 and 12 days was significantly impacted by storage time as the HU decreased with the prolonged storage time, compared to those stored for 0, 3, and 6 days. The results of this study suggest that ostrich eggs should not be stored for more than 6 days at ambient temperature to avoid egg quality degradation. Keywords: Cuticle, Egg quality, Ostrich eggs, Storage time

Effects of Dietary Rare Earth Chitosan Chelate on Performance, Egg Quality, Immune and Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activity of Laying Hens.

Rare earth chitosan chelate salt (RECC) is a potential feed additive and is a product of the chelation effect between rare earth ions and chitosan. This research study aims to explore the effects of dietary RECC on performance, egg quality, intestinal digestive function, and the immune and antioxidant capacity of laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 360 56-week-old Dawu Jinfeng laying hens were randomly allotted into four treatment groups with six replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. The laying hens were fed the basal diet supplemented with, respectively, 0 (control: CON), 100 (R1), 200 (R2), and 400 (R3) mg/kg for 8 weeks. Dietary RECC significantly improved average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily egg yield in both linear and quadratic manner (p < 0.05). In addition, albumen height and HU were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner of RECC. In addition, a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum TP, IgA, and MDA for the R1 group and IgG in the R2 group were notable, while the increase in serum TP and decrease in T-AOC were found for R3 dietary group compared to CON (p < 0.05). The level of intestinal IL-2 and TNF-α was decreased by dietary RECC (p < 0.01). The activities of the digestive enzyme (α-Amylase, lipase, and Trypsin) showed a quadratic change with an increase and then decrease in response to increasing dose of RECC, 200 mg/kg RECC significantly increased the activity of lipase and Trypsin (p < 0.01). Supplementation of dietary RECC at low doses compared to higher doses impacted positive effects on the antioxidant capacity and immune function (p < 0.05). The utilization of RECC as a feed additive in the diet of aged laying hens exerted beneficial effects on egg production, albumen quality, humoral immunity, inflammatory response, and activity of digestive enzymes. Thus, the regulation of antioxidant capacity and duodenal function via increased enzyme activity and immune and inflammatory response were critical to the improvement of laying performance and egg quality in aged hens. The optimal supplemental dose is 100-200 mg/kg.

Pasta wastes, as substitute for corn, in the laying Japanese quails diet: Effects on production performance, egg quality and blood biochemistry.

Animal food shortage and finding efficient ways to produce poultry products are getting more and more important issues in the world. This study was aimed to determine the effect of replacing corn with pasta wastes (0%, 50% and 100%) in the diet on production performance, some blood variables and the egg quality traits of laying quails. A total of 240 laying quails were allocated into 3 experimental groups with 8 replicates for 8 weeks. Egg production percentage, egg mass, feed intake and also mortality rate and percentage of abnormal eggs, egg quality traits and blood variables were evaluated. None of the pasta wastes inclusion had significant effect on egg mass, abnormal egg percentage, mortality rate, yolk diameter, yolk weight, albumen height, yolk index, shell weight percentage, egg shape index and blood parameters (except for triglycerides). Replacing 100% corn with pasta by-product reduced feed conversion ratio and increased egg weight values. Replacing 100% corn by pasta wastes significantly increased the albumen weight, shell weight and also egg length and width and decreased the Haugh unit. Replacing 50% and 100% corn had a significant increase in yolk height, egg surface area and significantly decreased shell thickness and yolk colour. Overall, 100% replacement of corn by pasta by-product increased blood triglycerides compared to the 50% group. Based on the result of current experiment, total replacement of corn with pasta wastes could increase the egg weight and also improve feed conversion ratio in the laying quail diets.

Effects of dietary Clostridium butyricum and fructooligosaccharides, alone or in combination, on performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Clostridium butyricum (CB) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) singly or combined, on performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, immune function and antioxidant capacity in peak-phase laying hens. A total of 288 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (30 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to 4 dietary groups that included basal diet, basal diet +0.02% of CB (zlc-17: 1 × 109 CFU/g) (PRO), basal diet +0.6% FOS (PRE), and basal diet +0.02% CB + 0.6% FOS (SYN) for 12 weeks. Each treatment had 6 replicates with 12 birds each. The results demonstrated that probiotics (PRO), prebiotics (PRE) and synbiotics (SYN) (p ≤ 0.05), respectively, exerted a positive effect on the performance and physiological response of the birds. There were significant increases in egg production rate, egg weight, egg mass, daily feed intake and reduced number of damaged eggs. and zero mortality rate due to dietary PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05) respectively. Also, feed conversion was improved by PRO (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, egg quality assessment showed that; eggshell quality was increased by PRO (p ≤ 0.05) and albumen indices (Haugh unit, thick albumen content, and albumen height) were enhanced by PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05). Further analysis showed that PRO, PRE and SYN (p ≤ 0.05), reduced heterophil to lymphocyte ratio, increased antioxidant enzymes and immunoglobulin concentration. Although spleen index was higher for PRO (p ≤ 0.05) group. The significant increase in villi height, villi width, villi height to crypt depth ratio and reduced crypt depth were obvious for PRO, PRE, and SYN (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, improved nutrient absorption and retention evidenced by increased digestibility of crude protein and amino acids, were notable for PRO, PRE, and SYN (p ≤ 0.05) group. Collectively, our findings revealed that dietary CB and FOS alone, or combined, enhanced productive performance, egg quality, amino acid digestibility, jejunal morphology, and physiological response in peak-phase laying hens. Our results would provide direction on nutritional strategies for gut enhancers and better physiological response of peak laying hens.

Production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression for layers as affected by N-Carbamylglutamate supplementation.

Supplementation of exogenous additives is a strategy to improve laying performance of layers by regulating uterine function. N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG) as an activator for endogenous arginine synthesis has the potential to regulate the laying performance of layers, but its effects have not been fully understood. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of NCG on production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression in layers. A total of 360 45-week-old layers with a genetic line of Jinghong No. 1 were used in this study. The experimental period was 14 weeks. All birds were divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet and supplemented with 0, 0.08, 0.12, or 0.16% NCG to form C, N1, N2, and N3 groups. We found that layers in group N1 had higher egg production rate than those in group C. Egg weight was significantly reduced, while eggshell thickness was significantly improved, by treatment. However, the albumen height and Haugh unit were the lowest in group N3. Based on the above results, groups C and N1 were selected for further transcriptomics analysis of uterine tissue by RNA-seq. More than 7.4 Gb clean reads and 19,882 tentative genes were obtained using the Gallus gallus genome as a reference. Transcriptomics analysis in uterus tissue revealed that 95 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated and 127 DEGs were downregulated. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs in uterine tissue were mainly enriched in glutathione metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism, etc. Vitamin A metabolism-related gene, RBP1, nutrient transport-related gene, ALB, protein synthesis-related gene, METTL21C, and calcium transport-related gene, RYR2, CACNB2, RAMP3, and STAC, were significantly regulated by 0.08% NCG supplementation. Therefore, we concluded that NCG supplementation at a dose of 0.08% improved production performance and egg quality of layers by regulating uterus function.

Evaluation of Physical Egg Quality Parameters of Commercial Brown Laying Hens Housed in Five Production Systems.

This study evaluates the effect of housing environment on the egg quality characteristics of brown egg layers as many different environments are currently used in the industry. Battery cages, barren colony cages, enriched colony cages, cage-free, and free-range environments were evaluated. Overall, all egg quality measurements were affected by housing environment (p < 0.01) except for vitelline membrane strength, elasticity, and egg solids. Eggshells and yolks were lightest in barren colony cages and darkest from free-range hens (p < 0.0001). Free-range eggs were heavier than eggs from all other environments (p < 0.0001). Cage-free eggs had lower albumen height and Haugh units than other environments (p < 0.0001). Lastly, cage-free and free-range eggs had stronger eggshells than the other environments (p < 0.0001), and free-range eggs had more elastic eggshells than eggs from conventional battery cages and barren colony cages (p < 0.01). Access to the range seemed to give free-range hens different nutritional advantages, which allowed for the darker yolks and shells. Furthermore, eggs from barren colony cages seemed to exhibit more negative characteristics. Simply adding enrichments to colony cages did not improve or detract from egg quality. From this research, it appears that, as the industry moves toward extensive environments, the egg quality of brown egg layers will improve.

Effects of Dietary Phytosterol Supplementation on the Productive Performance, Egg Quality, Length of Small Intestine, and Tibia Quality in Aged Laying Hens

This study aimed at investigating the effects of phytosterols on the productive performance, egg quality, length of small intestine, and tibia quality in aged laying hens. A total of 960 Dawu Jinfeng commercial laying hens (75 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to three groups. Each group had 16 replicates and every replicate contained four cages (five birds/cage). The control group hens received the basal diet without phytosterols. The hens in the experimental groups received a diet containing phytosterols at concentrations of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg for 7 weeks. The results showed that phytosterols had a linearly increasing effect on egg weight, eggshell surface area, albumen height, and haugh unit at week 5 of experiment (p < 0.05). Supplemental phytosterols linearly and quadratically increased eggshell thickness (p < 0.05). At week 7 of the experiment, dietary supplementation of phytosterols linearly increased egg weight and eggshell weight (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 20 mg/kg, but not 40 mg/kg, phytosterols increased the length of the small intestine. However, dietary phytosterols had no effect on the laying rate, mortality, or liver index (p > 0.1). The results of tibia quality detected by micro-CT also showed no difference in the treatment of phytosterols. Therefore, supplementation with 20 mg/kg phytosterols in the diet improves egg quality and increases the length of small intestine, but has no effects on the quality of the tibia.

Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lonicera flos and Cnicus japonicus extracts (LCE) on the laying performance, egg quality, morphology, antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines, and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens. A total of 1,728 Roman Pink laying hens aged 73-wk-old were randomly assigned into 4 groups (18 replicates/group, 24 layers/replicate) fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 300, 500, and 1,000 mg of LCE per kg of diet, respectively. The trial lasted for 11 wk, including 2-wk adjustment period and 9-wk testing period. The results indicated that laying hens fed diets supplemented with LCE linearly increased egg weight, yolk color and shell thickness at wk 78 and albumen height, Haugh unit and shell thickness at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, LCE groups linearly affected the hydrogen peroxide content in magnum (P < 0.05) and 300 mg/kg LCE groups had the highest catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE groups linearly reduced (P < 0.05) hydrogen peroxide content in the magnum and isthmus and malondialdehyde content in the uterus whereas increased catalase activity in isthmus (P < 0.05). Furthermore, LCE levels quadratically affected glutathione peroxidase activity in isthmus at wk 83 (P < 0.05). At wk 78, the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interferon-γ in isthmus and ovalbumin and ovocleidin-116 in uterus had linear effects in response to LCE levels (P < 0.05) and 1,000 mg/kg LCE group had the lowest mRNA expression of interleukin-6 in magnum (P < 0.05). At wk 83, LCE supplementation linearly decreased the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β, interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α in magnum and tumor necrosis factor-α and inducible nitric oxide synthase in uterus (P < 0.05). It is concluded that LCE improved egg quality partly by modulating antioxidant status, inflammatory-related cytokines and shell matrix protein expression of oviduct in laying hens.

Effects of dietary theabrownins on production performance, egg quality, and ovarian function of laying hens with different ages

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of theabrownins (TB) on production performance, egg quality, and ovarian function of laying hens at different ages. A total of 240 Lohmann laying hens were assigned in a 2×2 factorial design, which encompassed 2 layers ages (47-wk-old and 67-wk-old) and 2 dietary levels of TB (0 and 100 mg/kg) for 12 wk. Results showed that older layers had lower laying rate, egg mass, and higher feed-to-egg ratio (F/E), egg weight and unqualified egg rate than the younger layers (P(AGE) < 0.01) during all the experimental period. The effect of TB was found to increase egg laying rate and feed efficiency during 5 to 8 wk, 9 to 12 wk and the overall phases and decreased unqualified egg rate during 1 to 4 wk and the overall phases (P(TB) ≤ 0.05). The eggshell quality (strength, thickness), albumen quality (albumen height and Haugh unit) of eggs from older layers were decreased during overall phases (P(AGE) ≤ 0.05). TB increased eggshell strength during all phases and enhanced eggshell thickness at the end of wk 4 and 8 and increased albumen height and Haugh unit at the end of wk 8 and 12 of older layers (P(Interaction) ≤ 0.05). In addition, TB also increased egg quality of older layers after 14 d storage. A decrease in the serum concentration of progesterone, melatonin, follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol was observed in the older compared to the younger ones (P(AGE) < 0.05), while the increase in serum concentration of progesterone, melatonin, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) were more emphasized when older hens received TB supplemented diet (P(Interaction) < 0.05). The older layer demonstrated lower the concentration of glutathione (GSH) (P(AGE) < 0.05). And the activity of glutathione-s-transferase (GST) was significantly decreased in layers under 67-wk-old (P(AGE) <0.05). The increase in concentration of GSH and the decrease in concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were more pronounced when TB were supplemented in 67-wk-old layers (P(Interaction) ≤ 0.05). Layers at 67-wk-old had lower mRNA expression of Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (P(AGE) < 0.01) in ovary. Dietary TB supplementation upregulated mRNA gene expression of HO-1, Nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), Quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) (P(TB) < 0.01). Dietary TB upregulated mRNA expression of ovarian reproductive hormone receptor (estrogen receptor 1 [ESR1] and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein 1 [StAR1]]; P(TB) < 0.01). The results suggest feeding TB (100 mg/kg) could improve the egg production rate, egg quality, and antioxidant capacity of the ovary. Moreover, the effect of TB was more pronounced in older layers (64-wk-old vs. 47-wk-old).

Effect of dietary phosphorus and restricted feeding on performance, egg quality and serum biochemical traits of laying hens at the second production phase

The effect of available phosphorus and restriction of feeding on the performance, egg quality, serum biochemical and yolk fatty acid profiles in laying hens at 40 to 60 weeks of age was studied. A total 540 laying hens (Lohmann Brown) aged at 40 weeks were randomly placed in a 2×3 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments including two levels of available phosphorus (AP, 0.32 and 0.45%) and three restricted feeding levels (RFL, 90, 95 and 100%) having 5 replicates in each treatment, and the experiment were conducted for twenty weeks. The results showed that dietary interaction between AP and RFL had significant effects on egg production percentage (P&lt;0.01), egg weight (P&lt;0.05), daily egg mass (P&lt;0.01) and feed conversion ratio (P&lt;0.01). Production performance was significantly (P&lt;0.01) affected by RFL; and both 95% and 100% RFL had showed similar mean value in egg production and egg weight. Egg quality traits: eggshell color and eggshell breaking strength were differed (P&lt;0.05) among the treatments. Moreover, albumen height, Haugh unit and eggshell breaking strength significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased in diet contained 0.45% AP. Dietary limitation of feed did not alter the egg quality except eggshell color. Serum albumin was influenced among the treatments and the mean value of albumin and total protein were same in sole effect of 95% and 100% RFL. Higher serum glucose was obtained in response to the primary effect of 0.32% AP. The total concentration of yolk fatty acid profiles was not assorted in the impacts of AP, RFL and in their interaction. Therefore, the results suggest that 95% feeding was sufficient to hens during second production period, for optimum production performance and egg quality as well as diet containing 0.45% inorganic phosphorus could have influenced positively on egg quality. Bangladesh J. Agri. 2022, 47(2): 119-132

Effects of dietary Bacillus coagulans on the productive performance, egg quality, serum parameters, and intestinal morphology of laying hens during the late laying period

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) on the productive performance, egg quality, blood biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, reproductive hormones, immune function, and intestinal morphology of laying hens (86 weeks old) during the late laying period. A total of 960 Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, each with 6 replicates of 32 hens. Hens were grouped as follows: basal diet (control group) and a basal diet supplemented with 3.25 × 105, 6.5 × 105, 9.75 × 105, or 1.3 × 106 cfu/g B. coagulans. Dietary supplementation with B. coagulans significantly enhanced egg mass, egg weight, and laying rate and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in comparison with the control group. No significant difference was observed in the feed intake, breaking rate, albumen height, haugh unit, egg yolk colour, eggshell strength, and eggshell thickness among all groups. The serum total protein (TP) levels of laying hens fed 6.5 × 105 cfu/g B. coagulans were higher than those of laying hens in the control group. Dietary supplementation with 3.25 × 105 cfu/g and 6.5 × 105 cfu/g B. coagulans improved the activity of glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) compared with that of the control group. The serum IgA concentration of laying hens in the 1.3 × 106 cfu/g B. coagulans treatment group was higher than that of the control. In the ileum, 6.5 × 105 cfu/g B. coagulans supplementation significantly increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (VH/CD) compared to that of the control group. It can be concluded that B. coagulans, at a supplementation level of 6.5 × 105 cfu/g feed, can be used as an effective feed additive to improve the production performance of laying hens during the late laying period by increasing the serum TP level, serum GSH-Px activity, and ileal VH/CD ratio. HIGHLIGHTS Bacillus coagulans improved the productive performance of laying hens during the late laying period. Inclusion of Bacillus coagulans in the diet might benefit laying hens’ health by improving blood biochemistry, enhancing antioxidant activity and intestinal morphology, and slightly enhancing immune ability. The optimum concentration of Bacillus coagulans as a supplement to the basal diet to promote production performance and improve host health is 6.5 × 105 cfu/g.

Determination of the Optimal Dietary Amino Acid Ratio Based on Egg Quality for Japanese Quail Breeder

The objective of this study was to determine the ideal amino acid ratio for Japanese quail based on egg quality. In total, 120 Japanese quail were used. A completely randomized design was used with 12 treatments and 10 replicates per treatment. The treatments consisted of a balanced protein (BP) and the subsequent 11 diets were obtained by the 40% deletion of the BP a specific test for Lys, Met + Cys, Thr, Trp, Arg, Gly + Ser, Val, Ile, Leu, His, and Phr + Tyr. The trial lasted for 25 days. At the end of the trial, egg weight (EW), albumen height, albumen diameter, albumen index, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, Haugh unit, eggshell weight (ESW), and eggshell percentage were measured. The ideal ratio was calculated when a statistical difference was detected using Dunnett’s test. Only the EW and ESW variables differed from those of BP. The ideal amino acid ratios considering Lys as 100 for EW and ESW were Met + Cys 82 and 83, Thr 60 and 68, Trp 18 and 21, Arg 109 and 112, Gly + Ser 99 and 102, Val 77 and 87, Ile 61 and 67, Leu 155 and 141, His 34 and 37, Phe + Try 134 and 133, respectively.

Effects of Glyceryl Monolaurate on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Oviduct Cytokines and Intestinal Microflora of 66 Weeks Old Laying Hens.

The principal purpose of this research was to study the effects of glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the production performance; egg quality; health state of the oviduct, ovary and ileum; and gut microbiota of laying hens in the later stage. The laying hens were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group and an experiment group, for which 1000 mg/kg of GML was added to a control diet. The results showed that GML increased the laying rate, average egg weight, albumen height, yolk color and Haugh unit and decreased the feed conversion ratio and defective eggs (p &lt; 0.05). GML increased the intestinal villi height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p &lt; 0.05). Moreover, GML improved the contents of cytokines in the oviduct, ovary and ileum mucosa; ameliorated the expression of TLR2, TLR4, MyD88, IL-4, IL-1β and TNF-α; and increased the expression of Occludin and Muc-2 in the ileal mucosa. The supplementation of GML increased the volatile fatty acids in the cecal contents, such as acetic acid and propionic acid, and up-regulated Bacteroides (p &lt; 0.01) and Alistipes (p &lt; 0.05) richness in the cecal contents. In summary, GML improved production performance, egg quality and immunity; ameliorated the health status of the oviduct, ovary and ileum; enhanced the intestinal barrier function; improved the content of intestinal volatile fatty acids; and regulated the abundance of cecal flora.