Housing system has a significant effect on the welfare of laying hens, and one of the factors for estimating the welfare is the condition of feathers. The aim of this work was to evaluate this ...parameter in different housing systems and between two strains (white and brown layers) at the beginning and ending of the production cycle. Feathers were evaluated by scoring system. Obtained results showed that type of the cage as well as the type of hybrid, have significant influence on feather.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The histological structure of the exocrine pancreas was examined in the current study for fifteen healthy adult female Laying hens. The study showed the pancreas was serous tubuloacinar gland, which ...has both an exocrine and an endocrine component, the parenchyma of the gland was encircled by a thin layer of loose connective tissue capsule. The exocrine part formed of acini (secretory unites) and excretory ducts. In the current study, the shape of the acini were ovoid, rounded or elongated, were lined by a single layer of pyramidal to columnar cells. The duct system started from centroacinar cells and was organized as intercalated ducts, intra lobular ducts, inter lobular ducts, and main pancreatic ducts. The intercalated ducts were lined by single layer of simple squamous, intra lobular ducts was encircled by simple cuboidal cells, interlobular ducts was lined with simple columnar epithelium and the main ducts were lined with simple columnar epithelial cells. The pancreas of Laying hens was identical to other bird species, but with a few minor species.
The exploration for effective in-feed additives is growing owing to the global climatic change trend to alleviate the negative effects of heat stress in laying hens. This research assessed the ...potential of using B-glucan (G) as an anti-heat stress agent in Matrouh laying hens subjected to early heat shock programs during the growing period. Factorial design (3×3) was used, including three levels of heat stress (control, heat shock at three days and at three days and eight weeks of age) and three levels of β-glucan (0, 100 and 200 mg β-glucan /kg diet). During the first 12 weeks of egg production (EP), treatments were exposed to heat challenge. The results revealed that heat shock program applications at three days and eight weeks of age significantly decreased body weight at 36 weeks of age (P<0.05) and reduced (P<0.05) feed intake (FI). While significantly (P<0.05) improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), Hemoglubin, RBCs, WBCs, immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and Heat shock protein (HSP70) of the Liver (P<0.01) as compared with the control group. At the same time, there was a decrease in lymphocyte%, H/L ratio, cortisol, and T3 compared to the thermo-neutral control. When compared to the control group, hens fed a diet containing 200 mg of βG significantly (P<0.05) improved body weight at 16 weeks and final weight at 36 weeks, feed conversion (FCR) (g. feed/g. egg mass), hen-day egg production, and egg mass, as well as the digestibility coefficients of crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), metabolizable energy (ME), and cortisol. The interactions between heat chock programs and βG levels were non-significant for the most studied traits except daily feed intake. Therefore, the early heat shock exposure two times and supplementation of Β-glucan (βG) at 200 mg/kg diet during the growth period for laying hens that are exposed to heat stress during the reproductive period could improve productive, reproductive performance, HSP70 level and enhance immunity responses.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of stevia extract on production performance, serum immune indexes, intestinal structure, and cecum microbial structure. We randomly divided 800 ...46-week-old Roman hens into 5 groups, with eight replicates in each group and 20 chickens in each replicate. The control group was fed a basal diet, whereas the four experimental groups were fed 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg stevia extracts. The study period was 24 weeks. The addition of different concentrations of the stevia extract to the diet resulted in significant secondary changes in the egg production rate at 1–12 weeks (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition of 50 and 100 mg/kg stevia extract to the diet significantly increased serum IgM and IgG levels in laying hens (P < 0.05) but linearly decreased serum IL-1β levels (P < 0.05). Serum T-SOD activity linearly increased (P = 0.057); however, serum biochemical indexes showed no significant differences. Stevia extract tended to increase the ratio of the duodenal villi height to the depth of the crypt (P = 0.067), with no obvious lesions in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. In addition, stevia extract increased the relative abundance of species at the phylum level, with the abundance of Bacteroides and Firmicutes exhibiting significant secondary changes (P < 0.05). The ACE and Chao1 indexes suggested that stevia extract addition significantly increased the alpha diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Furthermore, NMDS analysis based on operational taxonomic units revealed that stevia extract addition increased the beta diversity of cecum microorganisms in laying hens. Adding a certain amount of stevia extract to feed can improve the production performance, immune ability, and intestinal health of laying hens to some extent, and we recommend an effective level of 200mg/kg of stevia extract for laying hen diets.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Understanding and controlling environmental conditions is crucial to successful poultry production and welfare. Heat stress is one of the most important environmental stressors challenging poultry ...production worldwide. The detrimental effects of heat stress on broilers and laying hens range from reduced growth and egg production to decreased poultry and egg quality and safety. Moreover, the negative impact of heat stress on poultry welfare has recently attracted increasing public awareness and concern. Much information has been published on the effects of heat stress on productivity and immune response in poultry. However, our knowledge of basic mechanisms associated to the reported effects, as well as related to poultry behavior and welfare under heat stress conditions is in fact scarce. Intervention strategies to deal with heat stress conditions have been the focus of many published studies. Nevertheless, effectiveness of most of the interventions has been variable or inconsistent. This review focuses on the scientific evidence available on the importance and impact of heat stress in poultry production, with emphasis on broilers and laying hens.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin E (VE) on laying performance, VE deposition, antioxidant capacity, immunity, follicle development, estrogen secretion, ovary metabolome, and ...cecal microbiota of laying hens. One hundred and twenty XinYang Black-Feathered laying hens (70 wk old) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (6 replicates of 20 birds), and fed a basal diet (containing 20 mg/kg VE, control (CON) group) and a basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg VE (VE group). The experiment lasted for 10 wk. Results showed that VE supplementation increased laying performance, antioxidant capacity, and immunity, as evidenced by increased (P < 0.05) performance (laying rate), antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase, total superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase) and immune (immunoglobulins) parameters, and decreased (P < 0.05) feed/egg ratio and malondialdehyde. Meanwhile, VE group had higher (P < 0.05) pregrade follicles, ovary index and serum estrogen levels than CON group. 16S rRNA sequencing showed that VE supplementation altered the cecal microbiota composition by increasing Bacteroides, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and Megamonas abundances and reducing Christensenellaceae_R-7_group abundance (at genus level), which are mainly associated with the production of short-chain fatty acids. Metabolomic profiling of the ovary revealed that the major metabolites altered by VE supplementation were mainly related to follicle development, estrogen secretion, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, phototransduction, bile acid synthesis, and nutrient transport. Furthermore, changes in cecal microbiota (at genus level) and ovary metabolites were highly correlated with laying performance, antioxidant, and immune parameters. In summary, VE contributed to the laying performance of aged laying hens by enhancing antioxidant, immune, and ovarian functions, promoting follicle development and estrogen secretion, and regulating gut microbiota and ovary metabolites. These findings will provide a new perspective on the mechanisms of egg production in aged poultry ovaries.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A novel lighting system using high-frequency differential photostimulation developed for layer chickens was assessed for its effects on physiological response. In each of the 2 trials, a total of 320 ...ten-wk-old layer pullets were randomly allocated to 16 groups with 20 birds/group. Birds were weighed and randomly assigned to each of 4 cage banks in each of 4 rooms. Experimental treatments included the prototype LED lighting system and conventional 2700K LED bulbs. Photoperiod for the prototype system was 24L:0D per the manufacturer's recommendations and photoperiod for the conventional system followed the Hy-Line Management Guide. Blood samples (3 mL) were collected from the brachial wing vein into heparinized syringes within 45 s after birds were caught from 8 randomly selected birds per room for a total of 32 birds at each blood sampling day of placement, prior to point of lay, and at the termination of the study for a total of 96 birds. Plasma was separated from blood samples by centrifugation and used to determine the concentration of biochemical parameters and enzyme activities using an ACE-AXCEL automatic analyzer. Also, estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, corticosterone, melatonin, T3, and T4 levels using Tosoh A1A-360 automatic analyzer. Results show that only uric acid (UA) and estradiol were affected by treatments. However, woa had significant effects on most examined variables. Plasma corticosterone was not affected by treatments and woa, indicating absence of physiological stress. In conclusion, using high-frequency LED lighting in layer hen houses does not negatively affect layer hens’ welfare.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The goal of this study was the knowledge of avistim’s influence administered in laying hens diet on the production performances, egg quality and the carotene content of eggs. The researches have been ...made on a number of 162 laying hens, hybrid Isa Brown, assigned in 3 batches of 54 hens/batch. In the feed of batch 2 (E) was added avistim premix 1 % and in the feed of batch 3 (E) was added avistim premix 2 %. The experimental period was 5 weeks, representing the second laying stage (age 56-61 weeks) following: laying intensity, the average egg weight, the fodder consumption per egg. To establish egg’s quality, at the end of trial had been determined: egg structure, egg-shell quality, intensity of yolk’s color and the carothenes content (La Roche method). The use of avistim determined the improvement of laying intensity with 3.86% at batch 3E, the improvement of egg weight with 6.08% at batch 2E and 1.23% at batch 3E, the reduction of fodder consumption per egg with 3.72% at batch 3E. Also we recorded the improvement of the weight and thickness of the egg-shell at the experimental batches, the improvement of yolk’s color and the improvement of carotene content at batches 2E and 3E. We recommend the use of avistim premix in laying hens diets for the improvement of the production performances and the yolk pigmentation, which can influence the commercial value of eggs.
Full text
Available for:
IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Ammonia (NH3) is an irritant and harmful gas. Its accumulation in the poultry house poses detrimental effects on the respiratory mucosal system of birds. In this process, the relative humidity of the ...poultry house also plays an important role in potentiating the adverse effects of NH3 on the respiratory status of birds, causing severe physiological consequences. In this study, the combined effects of NH3 and humidity on the respiratory mucosal barrier of laying hens was studied. The gene expression of tight junction proteins, mucin, inflammatory cytokines secreted by Th1/Th2 cells, and proteins related to the Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway were detected by qRT-PCR. In addition, the contents of mucin and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The results showed that treatment with NH3 alone or NH3 and humidity led to morphological changes in the respiratory tract, decreased the gene expressions of tight junction protein, and increased the expression of mucin. Also, the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 were increased, whereas, the expression of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IL-2 was decreased in laying hens treated with NH3 and humidity. Furthermore, the activation of inhibitor kappa B kinase β (I-KK-β) and the degradation of inhibitor of NF-κB α (I-κB-α) contributed to the activation of the NF-κB pathway, such that the downstream genes, cycooxygenase 2 (COX2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly increased. In conclusion, NH3 damaged the mucosal barrier and induced an imbalance in the mucosal immunity, leading to respiratory tract inflammation. Thus, the relative humidity of the environment aggravates the adverse effects of NH3 in poultry.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
PDF
