Effects of nanosized zinc oxide and γ-polyglutamic acid on eggshell quality and serum parameters of aged laying hens

Abstract Background: The absorption and transportation of calcium and phosphorus is mainly relied on their corresponding transporters. Eggshell is mainly formed during dark time in one egg cycle. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different light regime on eggshell quality and the expression of the relevant calcium and phosphorus transporters in laying hens. Seventy two 56-week-old laying hens were randomly divided into two groups and subjected to the following treatments: 16 h light: 8 h dark (control) and 9 h light: 15 h dark (LDP). The expression of phosphorus transporters type IIb Na/Pi co-transporter NaPi-IIa (NPt2a) and NaPi-IIb (NPt2b), calcium transporter calbindin-D28k (CaBP-D28k), and plasma membrane Ca ATPase 1b (PMCA1b) were measured in small intestine, kidney, and eggshell gland. Results: The results showed that the feed intake (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P = 0.05) was decreased by LDP treatment, while laying rate, egg production, and feed efficiency were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05). Compared to control, eggshell hardness was increased (P < 0.05) by LDP treatment whereas eggshell thickness and eggshell percentage were not significant changed. Eggshell calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) contents were elevated in LDP-hens, compared to control birds. Compared to control birds, serum Ca (P < 0.01) and P levels (P = 0.079) at dark time were increased in LDP-hens while and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lowered (P < 0.05). The protein expression levels of CaBP-D28k and PMCA1b were not influenced in duodenum but were decreased at light time in jejunum of LDP hens. In kidney, the expression of CaBP-D28k, PMCA1b and NPt2a were not changed by LDP treatment. In eggshell gland, however, the expression of CaBP-D28k and osteopontin (OPN) were relative higher in LDP hens compared to control birds, whereas the PMCA1b expression was not altered. Conclusions: The result indicates that the increased circulating Ca and P concentrations in dark time are favorable for the deposition of calcium and phosphorus in eggshell. The result offers an alternative strategy for the laying hen with a worse eggshell problem.

Download Full-text

Effect of limestone particle size on performance, eggshell quality, bone strength, and in vitro/in vivo solubility in laying hens: a meta-analysis approach

Poultry Science ◽

10.1016/j.psj.2021.101686 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101686

Author(s):

F. Hervo ◽

A. Narcy ◽

Y. Nys ◽

M.-P. Létourneau-Montminy

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Bone Strength ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Analysis Approach ◽

Eggshell Quality

Download Full-text

Eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition in three laying hen genotypes housed in enriched cages and on litter

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/75/2017-cjas ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 63 (No. 1) ◽

pp. 11-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Ketta ◽

E. Tumova

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Laying Hen ◽

Housing System ◽

Eggshell Thickness ◽

System Effect ◽

Egg Weight ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

System P

The objective of the present study was to compare the eggshell characteristics and cuticle deposition of Lohmann Brown, Hy-Line Silver Brown, and Isa Brown layers kept in two different housing systems. The three laying hen genotypes were housed in enriched cages (100 hens, 750 cm<sup>2</sup>/hen, 10 hens/cage) and in littered pens (100 hens, 9 hens/m<sup>2</sup>, 10 hens/pen). The experiment was carried out in weeks 40–56 of hens age. Non-significant interactions of genotype and housing system for eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition were detected in this study. Egg weight was significantly affected by genotype (P ≤ 0.001) and housing system (P ≤ 0.043). The heaviest eggs were laid by Lohmann Brown, while the lightest eggs were produced by Hy-Line Silver Brown. Eggshell strength was not affected by genotype and housing system, however, genotype had a significant effect on eggshell thickness (P ≤ 0.033). Isa Brown eggs had thicker eggshells compared to Lohmann Brown and Hy-Line Silver Brown. However, a non-significant effect of housing system on eggshell thickness was observed. Eggshell percentage was significantly affected by both genotype and housing system. Genotype of laying hens had a significant effect on cuticle deposition; significantly higher cuticle deposition was observed in Lohmann Brown eggs (P ≤ 0.001). It could be concluded that genotype had a significant effect on eggshell quality parameters and cuticle deposition. However, the housing system effect was less important in these characteristics.

Download Full-text

Effects of carbohydrase enzyme supplementation on performance, eggshell quality, and bone parameters of laying hens fed on maize- and wheat-based diets

British Poultry Science ◽

10.1080/00071668.2018.1423677 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 59 (2) ◽

pp. 211-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Osman Olgun ◽

Y. Altay ◽

Alp O. Yildiz

Keyword(s):

Laying Hens ◽

Bone Parameters ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Enzyme Supplementation

Download Full-text

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality, immune response, zinc retention, and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition ◽

10.1111/jpn.12871 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 102 (3) ◽

pp. 736-745 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. Abedini ◽

F. Shariatmadari ◽

M. A. Karimi Torshizi ◽

H. Ahmadi

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Zinc Oxide ◽

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Egg Quality ◽

Late Phase ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Oxide Nanoparticles ◽

Zinc Retention

Download Full-text

Effects of phytase B on laying performance, eggshell quality and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens fed phosphorus-deficient maize-soybean meal diets

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/1290-cjas ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 56 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 406-413 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

K. Żyła ◽

M. Mika ◽

S. Świątkiewicz ◽

J. Koreleski ◽

J. Piironen

Keyword(s):

Soybean Meal ◽

Calcium Level ◽

Laying Hens ◽

Breaking Strength ◽

Control Diet ◽

Egg Mass ◽

Calcium Balance ◽

Egg Weight ◽

Eggshell Quality ◽

Laying Performance

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of phytase B (product of the Aspergillus niger phyB gene expressed in Trichoderma reesei) on feed intake, laying performance, eggshell quality, and on phosphorus and calcium balance in laying hens. Seventy-two, 40 weeks old Hy Line Brown hens were fed for 14 weeks the following four phosphorus-deficient (0.12% nonphytate phosphorus, NPP), maize-soybean meal-based diets: (1) calcium-deficient (2.8% Ca) control diet; (2) diet 1 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5 acid phosphatase units (AcPU/kg); (3) control diet (3.8% Ca); (4) diet 3 + phytase B at the activity of 2.5 AcPU/ kg. Each dietary treatment was fed to 18 cages of hens, 1 hen/cage kept in individual cages. Hens fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diets consumed more feed (P < 0.01) and excreted less calcium (P < 0.01) than those receiving P-deficient diets with the standard calcium level. There were no effects of calcium level on feed utilization, egg mass, egg weight, and eggshell breaking strength. Egg production, although numerically higher in hens fed low Ca diets with no enzyme added, failed to be significantly different due to the low number of hens investigated and therefore the measurement should be considered as preliminary and supplementary. Phytase B increased mean egg weight by about 7% in layers fed the NPP- and Ca-deficient diet (Ca × phytase B interaction, P < 0.05), increased shell breaking strength, particularly at the standard calcium level, significantly enhanced amounts of calcium retained by layers and amounts of  phosphorus retained by hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Additionally, phytase B improved Ca retention at both dietary Ca levels and phosphorus retention in hens fed the Ca-deficient diets. Results of the study indicate that the efficacy of phytase B in NPP-deficient diets is strongly influenced by the dietary calcium level and the enzyme may modulate egg weight, eggshell quality, phosphorus and calcium retention in laying hens fed low-NPP, maize-soybean meal-based diets.

Download Full-text