Search Results (909)

Sustainability of animal production requires reducing reliance on soybean meal by identifying viable alternative protein sources. Within the framework of the Italian Agritech National Research Center, seven Italian research groups collaborated to evaluate unconventional feed ingredients and their effects on animal performance and product quality. Alternative legume seeds (peas, chickpeas, faba bean, and lupins) can partially or completely replace soybean meal without impairing productivity, while enhancing product health value and shelf-life through bioactive compounds. Microalgae (Chlorella, Spirulina) improved carotenoid content, antioxidant activity, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol levels in poultry products, with limited effects in pigs. Insects supported optimal growth in fish at 25–30% inclusion, whereas maximum recommended levels are 15% in broilers and 24% in laying hens to sustain growth, egg production, and quality. Camelina by-products are suitable for poultry diets at up to 5–10%, beyond which performance declines. Whole-plant soybean silage, tef (Eragrostis tef), and triticale–lupin intercropping represent promising protein-rich resources for ruminants, provided diets maintain balanced protein-to-energy ratios, adequate fibre characteristics, and appropriate harvest timing under drought-prone conditions. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of diverse protein sources to improve the sustainability of livestock systems while preserving productivity and enhancing the nutritional quality of animal-derived foods. 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

Insect meal can be a valuable component of poultry diets, both during rearing and fattening, as well as for laying hens. Regarding protein feeds, the most commonly used are oil meals from soy and/or rapeseed, along with certain animal-derived feeds like fish meal. Recent years have seen considerable interest in the use of insect products in poultry nutrition. Insect meal has a high protein content with a favourable amino acid profile, similar to that of traditional animal-derived raw materials or soybean meal. The present study aimed to determine the effect of replacing 50% or 100% of soybean meal with black soldier fly (BSF) products, in the form of meal or whole dried larvae, on the performance and slaughter characteristics, blood lipid profile, sensory properties, and fatty acid composition of pheasant muscle, considering gender. The study showed that irrespective of the type of BSF products (e.g., meal or whole dried larvae), they can be successfully used to replace soybean meal, which is most commonly available commercially in the form containing GMOs. Further research is needed into optimising the proportion of BSF products in feed rations and their impact on the performance, as well as the quality of meat and eggs. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of limestone particle size and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation on performance, egg quality, digestive organ biometrics, bone characteristics, thermoregulatory responses, and behavior of brown laying hens reared under hot environmental conditions. The trial lasted five periods of 28 days. A total of 270 Lohmann Brown Lite hens (48 weeks old) were allocated in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement, comprising two limestone particle sizes (MGD 0.568 mm and MGD 1.943 mm) and two supplementation levels of vitamin D (2760 IU and 1380 IU), plus a control diet, totaling five treatments with six replicates each. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) control diet without vitamin D supplementation; (2) 250 g vitamin D with 100% fine limestone; (3) 125 g vitamin D with 100% fine limestone; (4) 250 g vitamin D with 50% fine + 50% coarse limestone; and (5) 125 g vitamin D with 50% fine + 50% coarse limestone. Productive performance, egg quality, organ biometrics, bone traits, thermoregulatory variables, and behavioral indicators were measured. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Tukey test (5%), considering the factorial model. There was no interaction between the factors for any parameter evaluated. There was an effect of shift on thermoregulatory variables. The other variables were not influenced by the treatments. These findings indicate that the tested limestone particle sizes can be incorporated in the diets of brown laying hens without affecting performance, egg quality, bone integrity, thermoregulation, or behavior, regardless of vitamin D supplementation, under hot climatic conditions. Full article

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with composite acidifying agents containing 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid (≥30.0%), lactic acid (≥24.2%), and phosphoric acid (≥23.8%) on production performance, egg quality, serum biochemistry, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota in 300-day-old BIAN chickens. In a 42-day randomized trial, 900 laying hens were randomly allocated to three groups: the control group (basal diet with tap water), test group A (basal diet with 0.05% composite acidifier in drinking water), and test group B (basal diet with 0.20% composite acidifier in drinking water). The results demonstrated that test group B exhibited a significant 4.6% increase in average egg weight compared to the control (p = 0.029), while test group A showed enhanced Haugh unit values (p = 0.010) and eggshell strength (p = 0.010). Serum biochemical analysis revealed marked improvements in immune function, with test group B showing a 65.49% increase in globulin levels (p = 0.010) and 61.76% elevation in total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (p = 0.010). Intestinal digestive enzyme activities were significantly enhanced, particularly in test group A with a 61.73% increase in duodenal lipase activity (p = 0.010) and 37.43% elevation in jejunal amylase activity (p = 0.036). Morphological assessment demonstrated improved intestinal architecture in test group B, with a 26.02% reduction in crypt depth (p = 0.025) and a 44.53% increase in the villus-to-crypt ratio (p = 0.030). Microbiota analysis revealed dose-dependent modulation of cecal bacterial communities, with notable increases in beneficial genera including Akkermansia (from 1.8% to 7.2% in test group A) and Lachnospiraceae (from 4.7% to 9.7% in test group B) while maintaining core microbiota stability. Principal component analysis confirmed distinct microbial ecological niches created by acidifier supplementation. These findings demonstrate that composite acidifying agents effectively enhance egg production quality, immune status, digestive function, and gut health in BIAN chickens, supporting their potential as sustainable alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in laying hen production systems. Full article

This study evaluated the inclusion of increasing levels of xylanase in reduced-energy diets for commercial laying hens. A total of 280 Lohmann LSL white laying hens were equally allocated one of five dietary treatments, with seven replicates of eight hens each being a positive control: a wheat and soybean meal-based diet (PC, ME 2725 kcal/kg), a negative control diet (NC, PC minus 100 kcal) and three diets with increasing xylanase levels of 50, 100 and 150 g/MT (NC + XM50, NC + XM100 and NC + XM150, respectively). The hens were monitored from 20 to 40 weeks of age to assess productive performance, egg quality and intestinal health, including histomorphometry, permeability and microbiota composition. Xylanase inclusion at 50 and 100 g/MT significantly improved egg production and egg mass, as well as shell strength and thickness, while maintaining feed intake and feed conversion efficiency, while xylanase inclusion at 150 g/MT decreased egg production and egg mass. Additionally, intestinal permeability was significantly reduced, and positive changes were observed in the gut microbiota. Higher doses of xylanase (100 and 150 g/MT) increased bacterial abundance and diversity, with a greater presence of beneficial phyla such as Bacteroidota, which play an important role in gut health. There was also a reduction in Actinobacteriota, indicating a lower presence of potential pathogens. Changes in Campylobacterota, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria were observed, especially with the highest xylanase dose. These findings suggest that xylanase can improve laying hen performance and promote intestinal integrity and microbial balance when included in energy-reduced diets, offering a promising strategy to enhance health and productivity in commercial egg production systems. Full article

Oxidative stress-mediated dysfunction of granulosa cells (GCs) is recognized as a pivotal driver of prehierarchical follicular atresia in poultry, contributing substantially to the reduced egg production in aged laying hens. Here, we investigated the protective effects of the natural flavonol, fisetin, on aged chicken follicular GCs. A D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging model of GCs was established to evaluate the protective role of fisetin against cellular senescence. Small yellow follicles (SYFs) from 580-day-old hens were cultured with fisetin for 72 h to verify its ameliorative effect on naturally aged follicles. Fisetin reduced the typical characteristic of senescence in D-gal-induced GCs, as reflected by decreased senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity and increased expression of proliferation-related proteins, including cyclin D1 (CCND1), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), and Cyclin B1. Furthermore, fisetin enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways, while attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction and promoting ATP production in senescent GCs. Additionally, fisetin significantly promoted nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and suppressed the expression of senescence marker proteins p53 and p21, thereby alleviating cell cycle arrest in D-gal-induced senescent GCs. Simultaneous inhibition of Nrf2/HO-1 and β-catenin signaling also abolished the beneficial effects of fisetin on oxidative stress and cell proliferation in naturally senescent follicles. These findings indicate that fisetin prevents follicular atresia by suppressing GCs oxidative damage and improving cell cycle arrest via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. 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

Intensive farming methods have improved productivity, but public concerns have arisen regarding the welfare of production animals, particularly laying hens, and consumers demand higher animal welfare standards in all animal production systems. This study evaluated the impact of conventional cage (CC) versus cage-free (CF) housing systems on the gene expression of some peptide hormones regulating food intake along the gut–brain axis in laying hens at 80 wks. Sixty thousand Hy-Line Brown hens were reared under commercial farm conditions until week 15. At 16 wks, hens were randomly assigned into two housing systems: CC (450 cm²/bird) and CF (1111 cm²/bird). At week 80, hypothalamic, proventricular, duodenal, jejunal, and ileal tissues were sampled from six hens per system for qPCR analysis. Relative mRNA transcript levels of peptide hormones involved in the regulation of food intake (GHRL, Ghsr, NPY, AGRP, POMC, CCK, CART, CRH, MC4R, MC1R, MC5R) were quantified by qPCR using the most stable reference genes. CC hens exhibited upregulation of duodenal anorexigenic genes (POMC, CCK, CART, CRH) and stress-related MC4R, while CF hens showed higher ileal expression of foraging-related AGRP. No differences were observed in orexigenic peptides (GHRL/Ghsr, NPY). These findings suggest that housing systems differentially modulate gut–brain axis signaling. Specifically, CC environments appear to upregulate satiety signals, whereas CF systems seem to enhance the expression of genes linked to foraging behavior. Full article

The decline in eggshell quality of aged laying hens represents a major economic challenge in poultry production. While a 28 h ahemeral light cycle has been shown to improve eggshell quality, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study randomly assigned 260 74-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens to two light cycle groups, a normal 24 h cycle group (16L:8D) and a 28 h ahemeral cycle group (16L:12D). Each treatment comprised 130 hens divided into two replicate groups. The trial lasted 16 weeks. We systematically analyzed circadian rhythms of gut microbiota and serum metabolites using 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Compared with the 24 h cycle, the 28 h cycle significantly enhanced eggshell thickness by 0.04 mm and 0.02 mm, and eggshell strength by 4.19 N and 4.76 N at 79 and 84 wk, respectively. Mechanistically, the 28 h light cycle remodeled the circadian rhythms of gut microbiota, increasing their richness and diversity, and altered the rhythmic patterns of serum metabolites. We identified nine microbial genera and three hundred seventy metabolites that exhibited opposite rhythmic patterns under the two light cycles. These changes were primarily enriched in pathways related to amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, and energy metabolism. Correlation analysis further revealed strong associations between key microbes and functional metabolites. Weissella promotes calcium deposition in eggshells through synergistic interactions with calcium chelators such as gluconic acid and threonine acid. Meanwhile, YRC22 and Paludibacter synergistically support membrane formation substances, thereby promoting the proliferation of uterine epithelial cells and eggshell formation. Our findings indicate that the 28 h ahemeral light cycle improved eggshell quality in aged hens by remodeling the circadian rhythms of gut microbiota and metabolites, thereby synergistically enhancing calcium ion absorption and uterine tissue health. This provides a novel theoretical basis and practical direction for improving late-phase egg quality through light management strategies. 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

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

In poultry production, the laying rate is a critical economic trait, as high egg production significantly enhances profitability. Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 3 (MK3) is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, which plays an important role in follicular development. Our previous RNA-seq analysis revealed that MK3 expression was significantly altered in the ovaries of laying hens exposed to normal versus light-deprivation conditions. Based on previous RNA-seq analysis of chicken ovaries, this study focused on the MK3 gene to explore its role in regulating apoptosis of follicular granulosa cells in laying hens. The results demonstrated that MK3 overexpression induced granulosa cell apoptosis by modulating the expression of key proliferation- and apoptosis-related genes, including FAS, Caspase3, BCL2, and C-myc. These findings were further validated using specific siRNA-mediated knockdown of MK3. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, and EdU assays consistently showed that MK3 facilitated apoptosis and inhibited granulosa cell proliferation. Additionally, dual-luciferase reporter assays revealed that the transcription factor WT1 bound to the MK3 promoter and enhanced its transcriptional activity. Mechanistically, MK3 regulated granulosa cell apoptosis through the TNF/P38 MAPK pathway. This conclusion was corroborated by treatment with the P38 inhibitor GS-444217 and specific siRNA targeting components of the pathway. In summary, MK3 promotes granulosa cell apoptosis in the follicles of laying hens, is transcriptionally regulated by WT1, and exerts its pro-apoptotic effects via the TNF/P38 MAPK pathway. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate diet diversity and feeding practices in toddlers with food allergy (FA) compared to healthy peers. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Polish nurseries and included children aged 13–36 months with and without FA. Parents completed a questionnaire assessing feeding practices, anthropometric measurements, diet diversity using the Food Frequency Questionnaire, and feeding difficulties using the Montreal Children’s Hospital Feeding Scale. Results: Data from 388 children (predominantly from Warsaw and from families with high socioeconomic status) were analyzed. Among them, 61 (16%) had FA confirmed by a physician (however, an oral food challenge was performed only in one-third of cases). The proportion of underweight children (≤third percentile) was similar between the FA and non-FA groups (3.4 vs. 0.9%, respectively). Compared with the non-FA group, children with FA had significantly lower median overall diet diversity, food group diversity (≥nine food groups), food item diversity, and mean food allergen diversity. We found no difference in the proportion of children with feeding difficulties between the FA and non-FA groups (median = 18% vs. 13.5%). Although a lower proportion of children with FA had introduced cow’s milk, hen’s egg, tree nuts, nuts, and sesame compared with the non-FA group, only a minority had confirmed allergies to nuts, peanuts, and sesame. Most children with cow’s milk and hen’s egg allergy reintroduced baked milk (48.9%) and egg (40%). Conclusions: Children aged 13–36 months with FA are at risk of reduced overall diet diversity and over-restriction of potentially allergenic foods. Full article