Search Results (729)

Chicken egg is included among the main components of the human diet as an important source of nutrients, such as proteins, lipids, vitamins, minerals and carotenoids. The latter are terpenoid pigments present in egg yolks, providing their color and playing a vital role because of their significant bioactivities. The carotenoid content of egg yolk varies considerably since it is strongly influenced by the respective laying hens’ farming and feeding procedures, and there is therefore a need to establish an efficient method for their assessment. The absence of such a method prompted us to develop a novel procedure consisting of the extraction, saponification and quantitative assessment of contained carotenoids. For this purpose, the optimal conditions for the extraction of carotenoids from egg yolks were defined, along with the optimal saponification conditions of carotenoids, with respect to reaction duration and pH influence on the extract’s contents of lutein and zeaxanthin. The carotenoid content of extracts was determined using a novel, developed herein LC-MS/MS method that allows the accurate, fast and simultaneous quantitation of the 11 most abundant carotenoids in egg yolks. The method accuracy and reliability were validated for six different parameters determined for each analyte. The novel procedure was applied for the assessment of the carotenoid content of ten egg yolks of diverse origin, indicating the bioactive carotenoids lutein and retinol as the most abundant, while lesser amounts of the remaining natural and synthetic carotenoids were found and there was no trace of fucoxanthin or astaxanthin molecules. The results herein revealed a variation in the carotenoid content of chicken eggs that depended on the diet and farming method of egg-laying hens. Full article

Limited published data are available on the ratio of digestible non-essential amino acid (DNEAA) to digestible lysine (DLys) for layers. The effect of different DNEAA-to-DLys ratios on performance parameters of Hy-Line Silver-Brown layers was studied from 20 to 35 weeks. Experimental design was randomized with ten dietary treatments of increasing concentrations of DNEAA-to-DLys ratio (10.61, 10.84, 11.08, 11.31, 11.54, 11.77, 12.00, 12.23, 12.46, 12.69). Average daily feed intake, total feed intake, laying rate, cumulative egg number, egg weight, hen body weight, feed conversion ratio, egg mass output, albumen weight, eggshell weight, yolk weight, eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness, carcass and feather weight, carcass protein, carcass fat, liver weight, and liver fat were recorded. Changing the DNEAA/DLys ratio did not affect production parameters. Yolk and yolk-to-egg weight decreased with an increase in DNEAA/DLys ratio, while albumen-to-yolk and albumen-to-egg weight increased. The DNEAA/DLys ratio did not affect carcass or liver composition, but liver and liver-to-body weight (%) decreased as the DNEAA/DLys ratio increased. Hy-Line Silver-Brown layers during peak production sustained egg production and quality even on the lowest ratio in this study. Low DNEAA/DLys ratios increased liver fat deposition. Full article

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched eggs are nutritionally valuable for human cardiovascular health and neurodevelopment but face severe lipid oxidation during storage due to DHA’s high degree of unsaturation, which reduces their quality and shelf life. Selenium (Se) mitigates such oxidation, yet the efficacy of different Se sources (organic vs. inorganic) in DHA-enriched eggs remains inadequately quantified. This study investigated the effects of dietary Se sources on Se distribution, internal quality, and oxidative stability of DHA-enriched eggs by feeding 360 Hy-line Brown laying hens (50 weeks old) four diets for 8 weeks: a basal diet (CON; analyzed Se: 0.10 mg/kg), a DHA-enriched microalgae diet (MA; analyzed Se: 0.11 mg/kg), or MA supplemented with 0.25 mg/kg Se as sodium selenite (MA + SS) or selenium yeast (MA + SY). At the end of the feeding trial, eggs were collected and stored at 22 °C for 0, 15, or 30 days to evaluate internal quality and oxidative stability. Results showed that SY was significantly more effective than SS in enriching Se in eggs: the total Se content in whole eggs of MA + SY (18.82 mg) was 39.6% higher than that of MA + SS (13.48 mg), with albumen Se content in MA + SY (0.239 mg/kg) being 2.17-fold that of MA + SS (0.110 mg/kg). Supplementation with DHA alone (MA diet) negatively impacted stored egg quality: at 30 days of storage, the Haugh unit (HU) of MA (54.93) was 10.6% lower than that of CON (61.48), and yolk thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARSs, 495.8 μg MDA/kg) was 22.9% higher than that of CON (403.3 μg MDA/kg). However, both Se sources improved these parameters, with SY showing a more pronounced effect: at 30 days, MA + SY had a higher yolk GPX activity (58.10 U/g protein, 12.1% higher than MA + SS) and lower yolk TBARSs (361.2 μg MDA/kg, 11.6% lower than MA + SS), while its HU (62.97) was restored to 99.2% of CON’s level. The superior efficacy of SY was attributed to greater Se deposition and enhanced GPX activity, which jointly reduced lipid and protein oxidation. These findings confirm SY as the preferred Se supplement for producing nutritionally enhanced DHA-enriched eggs with improved storage stability. Full article

NPs have become a concerning global environmental problem. Dietary exposure to NPs can cause microbial dysbiosis. However, the risks of NPs to animals, particularly poultry species such as chickens, remain poorly understood. In this study, chickens were continuously exposed to 100 nm NPs via dietary inclusion from 18 weeks of age for 120 days to evaluate the effects of NPs on intestinal health. We found that NPs accumulated in chicken intestinal tissues, leading to adverse alterations in the intestinal mucosal structure, such as villus atrophy and goblet cell depletion, and significantly altering intestinal length. The 16S rRNA sequencing revealed significant gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by a loss of diversity and shifts in key bacterial groups. Functional predictions of the microbiota revealed impairments in metabolic pathways, especially carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, network analysis showed that microbial interactions were disrupted and key functional hubs were lost. Most importantly, NPs exposure led to a significant decline in egg quality parameters, including eggshell thickness and strength, yolk color, weight, shape index, and Haugh units. Correlation analyses connected specific taxa, such as Methanobrevibacter, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001, to intestinal damage and declines in egg quality. These findings provide a scientific basis for assessing the health risks of NPs in animals and offer insights into the development of gut health interventions. Full article

This study evaluated the optimal energy-to-protein ratio in practical reduced-protein diets to evaluate the production performance, nutrient digestibility, and egg quality parameters of laying hens between 20 and 35 weeks of age. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.548 was achieved at 15.5% crude protein (CP) and 100% recommended apparent metabolizable energy (AME) level with a reduced-protein diet, followed by 14% CP and 95% recommended AME levels (2.634) from 20 to 35 weeks of age (WOA) (p < 0.05). The yolk index was reduced only in diets containing 17% CP at 90% AME levels (p < 0.01) at week 35. Reduced dietary protein from 17% to 14% decreased egg weight and body weight gain between 20 and 35 WOA (p < 0.05) as well as decreased hen weight and shell breaking strength at 35 WOA (p < 0.05). However, it also reduced nitrogen excretion by 30% (p < 0.001) and increased protein digestibility by 17% (p < 0.01). Between 20 and 35 weeks of age, reducing dietary energy from 100% to 90% AME increased feed intake (p < 0.001), while excreta moisture, dry matter digestibility, and energy digestibility decreased at week 35 (p < 0.001). At week 27, reducing energy from 100% to 90% AME increased shell weight (p < 0.05), whereas lowering protein from 15.5% to 14% increased shell proportion (p < 0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that reducing dietary protein level from 17% to 15.5% with a 100% recommended AME level is optimal to improve feed efficiency while maintaining egg quality in laying hens from 20 to 35 WOA. Full article

Ammonia is a key factor in the water, impacting the physiological functions of aquatic organisms. To explore the effect of ammonia stress on mature eggs, female A. baerii at the end of the fourth stage of ovarian development were subjected to varying ammonia concentrations (0 mg/L (control, C), 10 mg/L (low concentration, T1), and 50 mg/L (high concentration, T2)) for 96 h. After 96 h of stress, histological analysis revealed that the follicular membranes of group T1 remained intact and clear compared to group C, although the vacuole fusion had begun. In contrast, the T2 group exhibited ruptured follicular membranes and adhered yolk granules compared to the C group, indicating structural damage. Transcriptome analysis generated 97.89 Gb of clean data, with each sample yielding over 6.09 Gb. A total of 5576, 3719, and 9446 differentially expressed genes (DEG_S) were screened from T1 vs. C, T2 vs. C, and T2 vs. T1 comparisons, respectively. Gene Ontology analysis (GO) functional enrichment analysis showed that DEG_S were significantly enriched in multicellular organism processes (T1 vs. C), cell surface receptor signaling pathways (T2 vs. C), and immune system processes (T2 vs. T1) during biological processes. It indicates that ammonia exposure may enrich cellular components in the extracellular space, potentially disrupting the function of the extracellular matrix. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment indicated significant impacts on amino acid metabolism, particularly glutamate and arginine pathways, as well as key pathways involved in steroid biosynthesis and antioxidation. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) revealed that a total of 26,369 DEGs were divided into 29 distinct modules, displaying obvious associations with their traits. In the T2 vs. C group, antioxidation-related genes such as GST and GCLM were significantly downregulated, and the expressions of key enzymes for steroid synthesis, such as CYP11A1, CYP17, and CYP19A1 were suppressed, indicating that high ammonia nitrogen concentrations impair oocyte function by inducing oxidative stress and disrupting hormone synthesis. This study provides a comprehensive repertoire of candidate genes associated with ammonia stress in the mature egg of A. baerii, which will be useful for development of sturgeon breeding and reproduction. Full article

Japanese quail production can be optimized by selecting appropriate dietary lipid sources, yet comparative effects on performance and egg quality during the laying phase are not fully established. This study evaluated the impact of five lipid sources, namely soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, and poultry fat, on performance, egg quality, nutrient metabolism, serum metabolites, and organ traits of 350 Japanese quail aged 60 days with an average weight of 170 ± 10 g. Birds were assigned to diets containing 2800 kcal/kg in a completely randomized design with 10 replicates of seven birds each. Performance was recorded over three 28-day periods and egg quality assessed at the end of each period; at 84 days, one bird per replicate was sampled for nutrient metabolism, serum metabolites, and organ characteristics, and a metabolism trial estimated metabolizability coefficients and metabolizable energy. Data were analyzed by Tukey’s test at the 5% level. Egg production (p = 0.010) and marketable egg production (p = 0.008) were highest with soybean, corn, and sunflower oils, while feed conversion per dozen eggs was less efficient with canola oil (p = 0.048). Egg quality differed in specific gravity (p = 0.027), yolk color (p = 0.008), Haugh unit (p = 0.011), and air cell size (p = 0.001), with poultry fat improving yolk color and Haugh unit. Canola oil increased dry matter (p = 0.027) and ether extract digestibility (p = 0.026), while serum metabolites, organ weights, and reproductive traits were not affected (p > 0.05). All diets supported physiological health, and lipid sources can be chosen according to cost and availability to optimize quail production without compromising performance or health. Full article

There is an energy deficiency during the later stage of embryonic development, as the metabolic demands show an “explosive increase”. Vegetable oils are already used for in ovo feeding in poultry to provide energy for the embryos. What would be the effectiveness of animal oils used as alternative energy sources for the chicken embryo? To find out more, BSF larvae oil was used for in ovo feeding of the chicken embryo in this study. A total of 2300 Arbor Acres chicken eggs were used for incubation. On the tenth day of incubation, 2268 eggs were selected after candling and then divided into three groups for in ovo feeding in the yolk sac on the 11th, 14th, and 17th days of incubation. Each group was divided into seven lots, such as CON−, CON+, L0.1, L0.2, L0.3, L0.4, and L0.5. The CON− and CON+ were not injected. L0.1, L0.2, L0.3, L0.4, and L0.5 were pierced and then received the injection of 0.1 mL, 0.2 mL, 0.3 mL, 0.4 mL, and 0.5 mL of BSF maggot oil per egg, respectively. After hatching, 48 chicks from each lot of each group were housed in cages and then fed the same diet for six weeks. A better hatch rate and growth performance were observed for lots L0.1 and L0.2 compared to the other lots on the 14th and 17th days of incubation (p < 0.05). The injected lots showed reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p < 0.05). The injection of 0.1 mL BSF maggot oil on the 17th day of incubation had 0% embryonic mortality and 100% hatching success. In conclusion, BSF larvae oil can be used as an energy source for in ovo injection, with a dose of 0.1 mL on the 17th day of incubation being most effective and recommended. Full article

Background/Objectives: Making sustainable choices and transforming guidelines into effective bacterial control practices for viable and safe hatching eggs is a challenge for many researchers. Gradually, scientific findings are strengthening the case for using antibacterial protocols with essential oils (EOs) for hatching eggs, which could lead to changes in traditional egg sanitization management and stimulate new research. The present study aimed to measure the contamination levels and incubation outcomes of hatching eggs sanitized with Zingiber officinale (ZOEO), Cymbopogon flexuosus (CFEO), and Rosmarinus officinalis (ROEO) essential oils. Methods: Hatching eggs from commercial broiler breeders were sanitized with solutions of ZOEO, CFEO, and ROEO prepared in grain alcohol and compared with formaldehyde and non-sanitized eggs. Bacterial contamination, eggshell integrity, incubation parameters, embryonic trachea histology, genotoxicity, and irritation potential were evaluated under commercial conditions. Results: It has been demonstrated that these EOs significantly reduce eggshell and yolk sac contamination, promote hatchability rates above 93% with good-quality chicks, and do not cause alterations in the embryonic trachea or potential genetic damage to the chicks. Conclusions: ZOEO, CFEO, and ROEO can be recommended as sanitizers for hatching eggs. Full article

The present study investigated the effects of fermented Chinese herbal (FCH) compounds on the egg production, egg shell quality, and egg yolk cholesterol of laying hens. A total of 1260 Hy-Line pink laying hens, 34 weeks old, were randomly divided into three groups, with six replicates per group and 70 hens per replicate, as follows: the control group (CON group) was fed a diet without FCH compounds, and the 2% FCH group and the 3% FCH group were fed a diet supplemented with 2% FCH and 3% FCH, respectively. The results show that the FCH compound significantly increased the laying rate compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). Analyses of the serum biochemical indices showed that supplementation with FCH compound significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HLDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLVL-c), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p < 0.05) and increased the serum total bile acids, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and 17-β-Estradiol (E2) levels (p < 0.05). The FCH group significantly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver and uterus compared to the CON (p < 0.05). FCH supplementation was also associated with improved egg quality, seen through factors including enhanced yolk color, albumen height, Haugh unit score, eggshell strength, and thickness and reduced egg breaking rate and TC and TG contents in egg yolk. The gene expression analyses showed that FCH supplementation significantly increased the calcium metabolism-related gene expression (CaBP-D_28k, NCX, VDR, CYP₂₇B₁, OPN, PMCA, CA₂) in duodenum, kidney, and uterus tissues compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). FCH significantly repressed FAS and HMGCR mRNA expression and enhanced CYP7A1 mRNA expression in the liver (p < 0.05). These results indicate that diet supplementation with FCH compounds may improve egg quality by regulating reproductive hormones, lipid metabolism, and calcium metabolism. Full article

Ultrasonic treatment significantly improves the emulsifying properties of chicken egg yolk. This advancement not only provides a novel approach for enhancing the physical stability of yolk-based cryodiluents, but also holds promising implications for optimizing the cryopreservation efficacy of boar semen. This study evaluated the effects of conventional egg yolk (CON) and ultrasonicated egg yolk (UT-CEY) on boar semen cryopreservation. Semen samples were cryopreserved using standard straw freezing methods, with post-thaw sperm quality parameters assessed. Results demonstrated that UT-CEY significantly reduced yolk particle size (p < 0.01), improved emulsion stability (p < 0.01), and decreased creaming index (p < 0.05). Additionally, UT-CEY enhanced total motility, progressive motility, straight-line velocity (VSL), and plasma membrane integrity (p < 0.01), along with acrosome integrity (p < 0.05) compared to CON. Furthermore, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were elevated in UT-CEY (p < 0.01), while reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluorescence intensity showed no significant difference (p >0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed upregulated Bcl-2, CAT (p < 0.01), and SOD₂ (p < 0.05) in UT-CEY. In conclusion, ultrasonicated egg yolk diluent improves boar semen cryopreservation efficiency and post-thaw sperm quality. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable and cost-effective animal feed alternatives has stimulated the use of agro-industrial by-products in poultry diets. This study evaluated the effects of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) residual oil (TRO), derived from aquaculture waste, on productive performance, physiological responses, and egg quality in commercial laying hens. A total of 144 Hisex Brown hens were assigned to diets containing 0%, 1.5%, 3.0%, or 4.5% TRO for 63 days. While TRO inclusion did not affect overall productivity, moderate levels (1.5% and 3.0%) improved egg weight, yolk pigmentation, and internal quality (Haugh unit). Hematological and biochemical parameters indicated metabolic adaptations, with increased cholesterol and decreased triglycerides in treated groups. The yolk fatty acid profile revealed higher omega-3 content with TRO inclusion, but lipid oxidation (TBARS) also increased, especially at higher levels. Sensory evaluation showed reduced aroma and flavor acceptability in eggs from hens fed 3.0% and 4.5% TRO. These findings suggest that moderate TRO inclusion can enhance egg nutritional value and support sustainable aquaculture waste reuse, though excessive levels may compromise product acceptability. Optimal inclusion levels should be further explored to balance metabolic benefits, oxidative stability, and consumer preferences. Full article

Laying hens in the late laying period often experience reduced productivity and declining egg and meat quality, which limits breeding efficiency and resource utilization. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-component Botanical Crude Extracts (BCEs) on egg and meat quality, metabolic health, and gut microbiota in aged laying hens. A total of 4320 hens were supplemented with 0.3% BCEs for 100 days, with evaluations at 60 and 100 days. BCE supplementation significantly enhanced egg flavor by promoting aromatic and fat-soluble volatiles and reducing odorous compounds (p < 0.05). BCEs improved yolk nutrition by enriching n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and optimizing the n-6/n-3 ratio (p < 0.05). A moderate reduction in amino acids was observed, which may reduce bitterness and ammonia burden (0.05 ≤ p < 0.10, trend). In muscle, BCEs improved protein–fat distribution, increased intramuscular fat, and enhanced flavor-related metabolites, significantly improving meat quality of culled hens (p < 0.05). BCEs also reshaped gut microbiota, reducing harmful taxa and promoting short-chain fatty acid and aromatic metabolite biosynthesis (p < 0.05). Serum metabolomics revealed modulation of AMPK, calcium, and cholesterol pathways, improving antioxidant capacity and lipid regulation (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses linked beneficial bacteria and metabolites with yolk DHA levels and flavor (p < 0.05). Overall, BCEs enhanced egg and meat quality and physiological health, providing guidance for functional feed strategies in aged laying hens. Full article

The aim of this study was the evaluation of egg quality between three different farming systems. Eggs collected from intensive (IS), extensive (ES), and dual-purpose systems (DPSs) at three stages of the production cycle (age) were analyzed for both external and internal traits. ISs represent high-input systems while ESs and DPSs represent low-input systems. Both the farming system and age had significant effects on quality characteristics. Eggs from the ES displayed a greater egg weight (64.3 ± 0.20 g) and shell weight (6.6 ± 0.03 g). Eggs from the IS farms displayed a higher Haugh unit score (83.2 ± 0.50), darker colored yolks (12.0 ± 0.06), and a lower incidence of blood spots (0.2 ± 0.05). The age and farming system influenced the fatty acid profile of eggs across farming systems. In particular, DPS eggs showed higher levels of unsaturated (62.2 ± 0.20%) and lower levels of saturated (37.8 ± 0.10%) fatty acids. The effect of age was also significant on the oxidation stability of yolks. The interaction effect (farming system × age) had significant effects on most traits. However, the farming system alone accounted for a greater portion of the variation in most egg quality parameters. Full article

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in animal-derived foods are increasingly important for human health. Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), rich in n-3 PUFA, is a promising feedstuff for producing n-3 PUFA-enriched animal products. However, research on dietary Sacha inchi oil (SIO) supplementation in laying hens remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of SIO on production performance, egg quality, and yolk fatty acid (FA) composition in laying hens. A total of 192 hybrid hens [(♂ White Leghorn × ♀ Egyptian Fayoumi); initial body weight: 1910 ± 22.14 g; age: 25 weeks old] were randomly assigned one of the four diets: a basal diet (CONT), and three tested diets based on CONT with the addition of 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% SIO (as-feed basis) (SI15, SI30, and SI45, respectively). Each dietary treatment included 48 hens housed in 12 battery cages for 56 days with 4 birds per cage. Increasing dietary SIO levels significantly reduced average daily feed intake (p < 0.05). Egg yolk weight linearly increased (p < 0.05) with higher SIO inclusion, while other egg quality traits were unaffected. SIO supplementation significantly increased (p = 0.001) yolk n-3 PUFA level (from 0.79% to 8.29% on day 28, and from 0.87% to 9.13% on day 56) and substantially reduced the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio by about nine-fold on both 28 and 56 days. In conclusion, SIO is a promising n-3 PUFA-rich feed ingredient for egg production. Adding 3.0–4.5% SIO in laying hen diets can enhance egg yolk weight and n-3 PUFA level while reducing feed intake without negatively affecting egg production or quality. Full article