The potential of lemon peel powder as an additive in layer quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica): An experimental study.

The current research intended to examine the impact of dietary lemon peel powder (LPP) on laying quail performance, egg quality criteria, and the antioxidant capacity of the yolk. A total of 120 female Japanese quails (272.6±9.3 g), aged 21 weeks, were allotted to 6 trial groups, each with 5 replicates of 4 quails. Additions of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 g/kg of LPP to the basal diet were used to create the treatment groups. Quails were fed ad libitum for 70 days. Neither performance parameters nor egg production was affected by LPP. However, eggshell-breaking strength improved by adding 2 g/kg LPP to the diet, but worsened at 5 g/kg. Moreover, the relative weight of eggshell and yolk L* value decreased with the treatments. Dietary LPP enhanced oxidative stability, reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and increasing 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) yolk values. The current study demonstrated that LPP, a safe and easily accessible agricultural by-product, enhanced eggshell quality when it was included in the diet of laying quails at doses of 2 g/kg. In contrast, improvement of yolk antioxidant capacity required increased amounts of LPP (4 g/kg). LPP could be advantageous to animal nutrition as an adequate substitute to reduce waste by-products.

Packaging with hydrogen gas modified atmosphere can extend chicken egg storage.

BACKGROUND: Although hydrogen gas (H2 ) has been widely used in industry and gradually used in medicine, it is less applied to agriculture, especially in modified atmosphere packing (MAP). RESULTS: During chicken egg storage, H2 MAP not only slowed down or delayed the reduction in antioxidant capacities, but also alleviated the deterioration of egg quality. The extent of micro-cracks in the eggshell was also negatively influenced by H2 , which might result in eggs being less vulnerable to microbes. The earlier results demonstrated that the H2 MAP-extended shelf life of chicken eggs might be caused by the responses of eggshell and re-establishment of redox homeostasis. According to the data collected from different provinces of China, cost-economics analysis further suggested that the increase in the extra cost caused by H2 was trivial compared with the original price of eggs. CONCLUSION: Together, H2 MAP can prolong the shelf life of chicken eggs with the prospect of wider application. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Synergic Effect of Selected Ingredients and Calcium Chloride on the Technological, Molecular and Microbial Usefulness of Eggshells and Their Impact on Sensory Properties in a Food Model System.

Lower levels of calcium in adults increase the risk for osteoporosis, and in children, low calcium levels can impact their potential adult height. The study objective was to analyze the bioavailability and physicochemical properties of a calcium preparation based on chicken eggs. The base calcium preparation was enriched with one of a variety of biologically active substances, inter alia, vitamin D3, vitamin K, lysine, lactose, magnesium chloride and inulin. The newly developed calcium preparations were subjected to structural analysis using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, and the hydrodynamic diameter for the molecules was determined using the dynamic light scattering method and their zeta potential. To determine the optimum storage conditions of calcium preparations, their hygroscopicity and bulk density were determined. The calcium preparations were also added to selected food products, such as apple juice with mango, fruit dessert (jelly) and beef meatballs. The enriched food products were subjected to sensory analysis. The study demonstrated the significant influence of additives to calcium preparation in terms of its hygroscopicity and morphology. It was found that all products with the addition of analyzed preparations were characterized by high sensory desirability. The results presented in the study comprise the basis for the development of new food products, enriched with calcium.

Citric acid as a factor limiting changes in the quality of table eggs during their storage.

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the potential use of citric acid as a modifier of quality changes in table eggs during their storage. About 780 table hen eggs were collected on the same day. They were numbered individually and placed on trays 30 pcs on each. Control group (CA0) consisted of eggs unmodified with any additional substances. In experimental groups CA10 and CA15, eggshells were sprayed with the aqueous solution of citric acid (10 and 15% concentration, respectively). At the start of the experiment, only quality traits of eggs from the control group were analyzed. The remaining eggs were stored at 14°C and 70% RH (typical storage conditions). Their quality was evaluated after 7, 14, 21, and 28 d. The depth of the air cell, egg weight and specific gravity, traits of shell (permeability, strength, weight, thickness, density), and egg content (pH of yolk and albumen, Haugh units, yolk weight and color) were evaluated each time. The use of citric acid decreased the severity of qualitative changes. Citric acid-treated eggs demonstrated smaller weight loss, shallower air cell, higher structural albumen, less-intensive water diffusion from albumen to yolk indicating the improved resistance of the vitelline membrane. Owing to the fact that citric acid is accepted and recognized as a safe food preservative is a relatively cheap and available substance, it seems that it can be used to inhibit quality changes in table eggs during their storage.

[Accidental feeding of the coccidiostat nicarbazin in layer breeder flocks - A case report]. / Versehentliche Fütterung von Legehennen-Elterntier-Herden mit dem Kokzidiostatikum Nicarbazin.

Following the accidental feeding of a compound feed containing the coccidiostat nicarbacin in layer breeder flocks (Lohmann Brown Classic), the birds displayed distinct clinical signs within a few hours. Mortality increased during the following 5 days, whereas laying performance and hatching rate of eggs during this period decreased markedly. Egg shell discoloration was observed as early as during the first day. As a consequence, an association between feeding of the coccidiostat nicarbacin and the observed symptoms was assumed. Recent studies indicate that Nicarbacin reduces the activity of aminolevulinic acid synthase type 1 (ALAS 1), which is responsible for the synthesis of protoporphyrin IX in the shell gland as main compound of brown egg shells. Reduced laying performance and increased mortality was likely due to nicarbacin-induced deregulated body temperature homeostasis and concomitant imbalances in acid-base status of the animals. The case reveals that the accidental feeding of nicarbacin to non-target animals such as laying hens and their parents may result in acute clinical symptoms. This highlights the necessity of appropriate care in handling feed additives and their premixes for specific non-target animals and should sensitize farmers and veterinarians.

Use of electron irradiation versus formaldehyde fumigation as hatching egg disinfectants - efficacy and impact on hatchability and broiler performance.

OBJECTIVE: The use of low-energy electron irradiation for hatching egg disinfection was compared to formaldehyde fumigation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the efficacy, eggshells were examined for bacteria before and after disinfection. During incubation, hatching and fattening of 1400 Ross 308 broilers per group candling data, hatching rate, mortality rate and body mass development were recorded to evaluate the impact on health and performance. Additionally, data from the slaughter house and histological evaluation of organ samples were included in the health screening. RESULTS: Regarding the efficacy, irradiation and formaldehyde significantly reduced the number of bacteria compared to non-disinfected eggs. However, no significant difference was recorded between both treatments. The irradiated group performed better than the reference group concerning the number of infertile eggs, early and late dead embryos and fertile eggs. The performance during fattening was nearly identical in both groups, while mortality differed slightly between the irradiated group and the group treated with formaldehyde. Upon slaughter, there were minor variations concerning the distribution of findings between the groups, but the number of anomalies was not higher than reference values suggest. CONCLUSION: In both groups no health problems were observed during rearing and the fattening performance met the targets of the manufacturer Aviagen for the used broiler line Ross 308. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lower-energy electron irradiation proves to be an efficient and well-tolerated hatching egg disinfection procedure. Further field trials are necessary to establish low-energy electron irradiation as an alternative to formaldehyde fumigation.

Functionalization of eggshell membranes with CuO-ZnO based p-n junctions for visible light induced antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli.

Biopolymers provide versatile platforms for designing naturally-derived wound care dressings through eco-friendly pathways. Eggshell membrane (ESM), a widely available, biocompatible biopolymer based structure features a unique 3D porous interwoven fibrous protein network. The ESM was functionalized with inorganic compounds (Ag, ZnO, CuO used either separately or combined) using a straightforward deposition technique namely radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The functionalized ESMs were characterized from morphological, structural, compositional, surface chemistry, optical, cytotoxicity and antibacterial point of view. It was emphasized that functionalization with a combination of metal oxides and exposure to visible light results in a highly efficient antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli when compared to the activity of individual metal oxide components. It is assumed that this is possible due to the fact that an axial p-n junction is created by joining the two metal oxides. This structure separates into components the charge carrier pairs promoted by visible light irradiation that further can influence the generation of reactive oxygen species which ultimately are responsible for the bactericide effect. This study proves that, by employing inexpensive and environmentally friendly materials (ESM and metal oxides) and fabrication techniques (radio frequency magnetron sputtering), affordable antibacterial materials can be developed for potential applications in chronic wound healing device area.

Role of long-term supplementation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on egg production and egg quality of laying hen.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD) on pullet and egg-laying hen growth performance, egg production, and egg quality. Three hundred and ninety 1-day-old Hy-Line W36 pullets were randomly allocated to 3 treatments with 10 replicated cages and 13 birds per cage. Dietary treatments were vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg (D); vitamin D3 at 5,520 IU/kg (DD), and vitamin D3 at 2,760 IU/kg plus 25OHD at 2,760 IU (69 µg)/kg (25D). Body weight and feed intake were recorded at the end of each stage: starter 1 (0-3 wk), starter 2 (4-6 wk), grower (7-12 wk), developer (13-15 wk), prelay (15-17 wk), peaking (18-38 wk), layer 2 (39-48 wk), layer 3 (49-60 wk), layer 4 (61-75 wk), and layer 5 (76-95 wk). Egg production was recorded daily. Egg quality was evaluated every 8 wk starting from 25 wk. There was no difference in growth performance during the rearing period (0-17 wk). In the laying period (18-95 wk), DD showed lower feed intake at layer 2, but higher intake at layer 3 along with lower hen day production (HDP) from 22 to 48 wk compared to the other treatments. During the same period, the DD group laid smaller eggs with higher specific gravity and shell thickness compared with the other treatments or D alone at 40 wk, which may be partly due to the lower body weight. In contrast, 25D had better feed conversion ratio (feed intake per dozen of eggs) at layer 2, and higher overall (22-60 wk) HDP compared with DD. For the egg quality analysis, at 25 and 33 wk, both DD and 25D had higher Haugh unit compared with D. However, 25OHD has no effects on eggshell quality during the entire production period and no beneficial effects on egg production during the later laying period (after 60 wk). In summary, long-term and early supplementation of 25OHD has positive effects on egg production and egg quality, and the beneficial effects were mainly observed during the early laying stage.

Influences of low level of dietary calcium on bone characters in laying hens.

Cage layer fatigue (CLF), which is commonly caused by calcium deficiency in the feed, leads to loss of structural bone and increase of bone fragility. In order to investigate the influence of low-calcium diets on bone quality and strength, histopathology, and egg quality, 72 laying hens were randomly allocated to 2 groups at 22 wk of age and received low calcium and control calcium until 34 wk, respectively. Egg production, feed consumption, BW, and egg quality were measured throughout. Bone mineral density, bone biomechanical properties, and histomorphology of femurs and tibias were assessed after birds were sacrificed in 26, 30, and 34 wk. The results showed that low-calcium (1.5%) diets decreased BW, feed consumption, and egg production. The broken eggs rate increased, and the eggshell strength and thickness were lower in treated birds than those in control birds at 30 wk and 34 wk. Femoral and tibial bone index and bone mineral density were lower, cortical thicknesses were thinner, and bone length were shorter over time when birds are in a low-calcium diet than those in control birds. In biomechanical properties, the values of stiffness, Young's modulus, and breaking strength were lower in both femurs and tibias in low-calcium hens at 30 wk and 34 wk than those in bones of control hens. In histomorphology of bone, the cortex turned thinner and there were more cavities in cortex and cancellous bone; the trabecular bone network was fewer, thinner, less cohesive, and generally fragmented; and trabeculae were less well-connected in low-calcium birds. Some cell nuclei in cancellous bone disappeared, and vacuolation was observed in bone cells. There appeared osteoid in cortex bone and cancellous bone in tibias. It was concluded that low-calcium diets could facilitate the development of osteoporosis characterized by an increase of osteoid and loss of structural bone and decrease the values of bone quality and strength, accompanied with a decrease in egg production and egg qualities, which may elucidate the developing mechanism of CLF.

Rearing cage type and dietary limestone particle size: II, effects on egg production, eggshell, and bone quality in Lohmann selected Leghorn-Lite hens.

We investigated effects of rearing cage type and dietary limestone particle size (LPS) on egg production, egg weight, eggshell, and bone quality in laying hens. The pullets were reared in conventional (CON; 20 chicks/cage, 270 cm2/chick) or furnished (FUR; 30 chicks/cage; 636 cm2/chick) cages and fed 3 LPS (fine, <0.595 mm; medium, 0.595 to <1.68 mm; and 1:1 mixture of F and M wt/wt) to 16 wk of age (woa). Pullets were transitioned to laying furnished cages and retained rearing treatment combination identities (n = 5, 20 hens/cage). Hens had free access to common commercial layer diet and water through to 40 woa. Eggs were recorded daily for calculation of hen day egg production (HDEP). Subsamples of eggs laid on the first day of 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 woa were used for eggshell quality analyses. Two hens per cage were sacrificed on the last day of 24 and 40 woa for femur and tibia quality assessments. There was no interaction (P > 0.05) between rearing cage type and dietary LPS on response variables. At 19 and 20 woa, HDEP was higher (P < 0.01) for FUR than CON reared hens but was similar (P > 0.05) afterward. At 40 woa, FUR reared hens had higher (P < 0.05) body weight (BW), egg weight (EW), eggshell thickness, and eggshell weight and tended (P < 0.10) to have higher femur and tibia mineral density (BMD) and mineral content (BMC) than CON reared hens. Rearing dietary LPS had no effect (P > 0.05) on HDEP, BW, EW, and eggshell quality. Although, rearing dietary LPS did not affect (P > 0.05) femur and tibia BMD and BMC; at 24 woa, hens reared on medium LPS tended to have higher femur BMD (0.17 vs. 0.14 g/cm2; P = 0.079) and BMC (0.99 vs.0.78 g; P = 0.088) than hens reared on fine LPS. In conclusion, hens reared in furnished cages had better eggshell quality but had marginal effects on femur and tibia quality, whereas rearing dietary LPS had no effects on eggshell and bone attributes in hens.

Effects of dietary calcium and available phosphorus levels and phytase supplementation on performance, bone mineral density, and serum biochemical bone markers in aged white egg-laying hens.

Exogenous phytase supplementation increases P and Ca availability to allow for the dietary reductions without negative consequences on productivity or skeletal health. Effects of a Buttiauxella sp. phytase (BSP) supplemented in available P (avP)-reduced and Ca-reduced diets on performance, BW, eggshell quality, serum biochemical bone markers, and bone densitometry were evaluated in egg-laying hens from 68 to 78 wk of age. One hundred hens were fed 1 of 5 diets (n = 20/treatment), including a positive control (PC) with 0.35% avP and 3.5% Ca, and the PC moderately reduced in avP and Ca levels by 0.187 and 0.159% of the diet (by 53 and 4.5%), respectively, (NC1) or severely reduced by 0.231 and 0.275% of the diet (by 66 and 7.9%), respectively, (NC2). Other diets were the NC1 or NC2 supplemented with BSP at 600 FTU/kg (NC1 + BSP or NC2 + BSP, respectively). Egg production and feed conversion ratio were maintained by NC1 but were 11.9% lower and 12.3% higher, respectively, with the NC2 than the PC, which was alleviated by supplemental BSP. Diet effects on FI and eggshell quality followed a similar pattern. Body weight was 2.9% lower for NC1, and 6.1% for NC2 than the PC; BSP alleviated the decreased BW. Serum pyridinoline (bone resorption marker) was 20 to 27% higher in NC2 hens than in the other groups, with no effects on other bone markers. Total and trabecular space bone mineral density in the proximal metaphysis were 8.4 and 15.2% lower for NC1, respectively, and 12.1 and 26.7% lower for NC2, respectively, than PC. Supplemental BSP completely alleviated the decreased bone densitometry measures in NC1, but only partially in NC2. The NC1 hens maintained performance but had decreased BW and bone quality; phytase supplementation restored productivity, BW, and bone quality. The Ca and avP deficiencies in the NC2 hens relative to other groups were partially alleviated by the 600 FTU/kg BSP.

Manganese requirements of broiler breeder hens.

The present research was conducted to assess Mn requirements of broiler breeder hens. One hundred and twenty Cobb 500 hens, 22 wk of age, were individually allocated in cages. After fed a Mn-deficient diet (22.2 ppm), hens were randomly placed in treatments having 6 increments of 30-ppm Mn. All trace minerals were from laboratory grade sources being Mn from Mn sulfate (MnSO4H2O). Treatments were fed for 4 periods of 28 d. There were no interactions between dietary Mn and period for any evaluated response (P > 0.05). Requirements of Mn for hen day egg production and settable egg production were 115.8 and 56.6 ppm and 122.1 and 63.6 ppm (P < 0.05), respectively, using quadratic polynomial (QP) and broken line quadratic (BLQ) models, whereas total eggs and total settable eggs per hen had Mn requirements estimated at 115.7 and 56.6 and 121.8 and 61.7 ppm (P < 0.05), respectively. Number of cracked, defective, and contaminated eggs decreased, whereas hatchability, hatchability of fertile eggs, eggshell percentage, and eggshell palisade layer increased when hens were fed diets having 48.5 to 168.2-ppm Mn (P < 0.05). Maximum responses for egg weight and eggshell percentage were 117.7 and 63.6 ppm as well as 131.6 and 71.0 ppm (P < 0.05), respectively, using QP and BLQ models. Breaking strength and egg specific gravity had Mn requirements estimated at 140.2 and 112.7 ppm as well as 131.3 68.5 ppm (P < 0.05), whereas eggshell palisade layer and eggshell thickness were maximized with 128.8 and 68.8 ppm and 140.2 134.2 ppm, respectively, for QP and BLQ models (P < 0.05). Maximum yolk Mn content values were obtained using 118.0- and 118.4-ppm Mn by QP and BLQ models, respectively. The average Mn requirements estimated for QP and BLQ models is 128.4 and 92.3 ppm Mn (18.7 and 13.5 mg/hen/d), respectively, which is much lower than what has been currently recommended in commercial production.

Dietary combined supplementation of iron and Bacillus subtilis enhances reproductive performance, eggshell quality, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, and hematopoietic function in breeder geese.

A 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was conducted to investigate the effects of iron (Fe, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg) and Bacillus subtilis (2.5 × 109 and 5.0 × 109 CFU/kg) supplementation on reproductive performance, egg quality, nutrient digestibility, hormone levels, antioxidant indices, and hematological parameters in breeder geese. A total of one hundredtwenty 46-week-old Wulong breeder geese were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 4 replicates per treatment and 5 geese per replicate for 10 wk following 1 wk of adaption. Dietary Fe supplementation increased egg weight (P = 0.036), fertility (P = 0.022), serum total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.022), red blood cell (P = 0.001), hematocrit (HCT, P < 0.001), hemoglobin (HGB, P = 0.005), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV, P < 0.001). Dietary B. subtilis supplementation increased egg production (P = 0.025), eggshell thickness (P = 0.020), apparent phosphorus digestibility (P < 0.001), serum follicle stimulating hormone (P = 0.043), total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.001), HCT (P < 0.001), HGB (P < 0.001), and MCV (P = 0.025), and reduced malondialdehyde level (P = 0.008). The birds fed diets supplemented with 60 mg/kg Fe and 5 × 109 CFU/kg B. subtilis showed the highest percentage of hatched eggs (P = 0.004) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (P < 0.001) among the 6 groups. Supplementation of 40 and 60 mg/kg Fe significantly increased the apparent digestibility of calcium compared with that of 80 mg/kg Fe in the birds fed 5.0 × 109 CFU/kg B. subtilis (P = 0.004). Supplementation with 60 and 80 mg/kg Fe in the birds fed 5 × 109 CFU/kg B. subtilis significantly decreased serum urea nitrogen level compared with other 4 groups (P = 0.022). In conclusion, the combination of Fe and B. subtilis effectively improves reproductive performance, eggshell quality, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, and hematopoietic function of breeder geese. Dietary addition of 60 mg/kg Fe and 5.0 × 109 CFU/kg B. subtilis was an optimum supplementation dose.

Efficacy of six disinfection methods against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli on eggshells in vitro.

The presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli on poultry products is an important issue for veterinary and human health due to the zoonotic infection risk for producers and consumers. The present study focuses on testing the efficacy of six different disinfection methods on eggshell samples, aiming to reduce ESBL producing E. coli contamination on the hatching egg. Sterile eggshell cutouts were artificially contaminated with 108 cfu/ml CTX-M-1 producing E. coli and used as a carrier model to analyze the efficacy of six disinfection methods. The contaminated samples were separated into two groups; 1) contaminated and disinfected, 2) contaminated and non-disinfected. Six independent disinfection protocols were performed following product specifications and protocols. Each eggshell sample was separately crushed, and the total viable bacterial count was calculated to determine the disinfection efficacy. Five out of six tested methods (formaldehyde gassing, hydrogen peroxide + alcohol spray, essential oils spray, peracetic acid foam, and low energetic electron radiation) demonstrated a reduction or completely eliminated the initial ESBL producing E. coli contamination. One method (essential oils as cold fog) only partly reached the expected efficacy threshold (reduction of >102 cfu/ml) and the result differed significantly when compared to the reference method i.e. formaldehyde gassing.

Loss of the seipin gene perturbs eggshell formation in Caenorhabditiselegans.

Seipin, an evolutionary conserved protein, plays pivotal roles during lipid droplet (LD) biogenesis and is associated with various human diseases with unclear mechanisms. Here, we analyzed Caenorhabditis elegans mutants deleted of the sole SEIPIN gene, seip-1 Homozygous seip-1 mutants displayed penetrant embryonic lethality, which is caused by the disruption of the lipid-rich permeability barrier, the innermost layer of the C. elegans embryonic eggshell. In C. elegans oocytes and embryos, SEIP-1 is associated with LDs and is crucial for controlling LD size and lipid homeostasis. The seip-1 deletion mutants reduced the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in their embryonic fatty acid pool. Interestingly, dietary supplementation of selected n-6 PUFAs rescued the embryonic lethality and defective permeability barrier. Accordingly, we propose that SEIP-1 may maternally regulate LD biogenesis and lipid homeostasis to orchestrate the formation of the permeability barrier for eggshell synthesis during embryogenesis. A lipodystrophy allele of seip-1 resulted in embryonic lethality as well and could be rescued by PUFA supplementation. These experiments support a great potential for using C. elegans to model SEIPIN-associated human diseases.

Acetic acid, vinegar, and citric acid as washing materials for cuticle removal to improve hatching performance of quail eggs.

The cuticle is the outmost layer of the eggshell and may affect the hatchability by modulating eggshell conductance. Three different solutions using acetic acid (AA), vinegar (V), and citric acid (CA) for cuticle removal by egg washing were developed, and the effects of cuticle removal on hatching performance of quail hatching eggs were evaluated. A total of 5,238 fresh quail hatching eggs were randomly divided into 9 treatments as follows: unwashed control, nondipped (CND); washed control, water dipped (CWD); standard control, 0.13% sodium hyperchlorite (CSH); 2% AA (AA2); 4% AA (AA4); 44.4% V (V2); 88.8% V (V4); 2% CA (CA2); and 4% CA (CA4). Overall, AA4, V4, and CA4 treatments significantly improved the hatchability of fertile eggs (95.42%, 94.16% and 95.66%, respectively) (P < 0.05) and the hatchability of CND, CWD, CSH, AA2, V2 and CA2 treatments were 90.98%, 93.00%, 92.27%, 79.44%, 90.37%, and 90.59%, respectively. The eggshell thickness and cuticle quality results showed that all AA, V, and CA solutions can effectively remove the quail eggshell cuticle, and AA4, V4 and CA4 significantly decreased eggshell thickness (P < 0.05). Microbial activity on the eggshell surface in all acid treatments was reduced significantly at day 0 of incubation (P < 0.05) and that significantly decreased than controlled treatments over the incubation period except AA2 treatment. Egg weight loss was lower for all acid treatments than that of the CND treatment (P < 0.05). There was no clear effect of treatments on chick quality. Hatch time in AA4, V4, and CA4 treatments slightly improved compared with controlled treatments (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences between treatments for chick livability and live weight at the first 21 D of life. Results of the present study indicate that cuticle removal with AA4, V4, or CA4 could effectively decrease the microbial activity on the eggshell surface during the incubation period and improve hatchability of quail hatching eggs without negative effects on hatch time and performance of quail chicks.

n-3 fatty acids fed to ISA brown and Shaver white breeders and their female progeny during rearing: Impact on egg production, eggshell, and select bone attributes from 18 to 42 weeks of age.

The impact of feeding sources of n-3 fatty acids (FA) to ISA brown and Shaver white breeders and their female offspring during rearing on egg production, eggshell, tibia, and keel bone attributes was examined. Breeders were fed Control (CON) or CON + 1% dried microalgae (DMA: Aurantiochytrium limacinum) as the source of docosahexaenoic acid or CON + 2.6% of a coextruded mixture of full-fat flaxseed (FFF) and pulses as a source of α-linolenic acid. Day-old offspring were fed 1) breeder CON-pullet CON (CON-CON), 2) breeder CON-pullet DMA (CON-DMA), 3) breeder CON-pullet FFF (CON-FFF), 4) breeder DMA-pullet CON (DMA-CON), 5) breeder DMA-pullet DMA (DMA-DMA), 6) breeder FFF-pullet CON (FFF-CON), and 7) breeder FFF-pullet FFF (FFF-FFF). At 18 wk of age (WOA), pullets were fed a common layer diet to 42 WOA for egg production and bone quality assessments. There was no (P > 0.05) interaction between strains and diets and the main effect of diets on egg production, egg mass, and eggshell quality. There was an interaction (P = 0.008) between strain and diet on egg weight (EW); however, the strain effect on EW (P < 0.001) was such that ISA brown had heavier eggs than Shaver white. Shaver white had higher (P < 0.001) eggshell %, eggshell, and tibia breaking strength (BS), as well as tibia ash concentration compared with ISA brown hens. In contrast, ISA brown hens exhibited heavier (P < 0.05) tibia and keel bones. Feeding breeders DMA and pullets both sources of n-3 FA increased tibia medullary ash concentration compared with other diets (P < 0.001). Shaver white hens showed greater decline in tibia BS (83.7 vs. 96.3%) and ash content (84.1 vs. 94.3%) than ISA brown hens from 18 to 42 WOA (P < 0.05). Strain and diets exhibited independent effects on eggshell, tibia, and keel attributes. Provision of α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid to breeders and offspring improved tibia medullary ash concentration at 42 WOA.

Improvement of eggshell quality by dietary N-carbamylglutamate supplementation in laying chickens.

Egg quality defects seriously reduce the quality grade and increase egg breakage in egg marketing activities. In this study, the effect of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on eggshell quality was investigated by evaluating calcium absorption and calcification in laying hens. A total of 30 newly hatched female Hy-Line chicks were randomly assigned to the control group (basal diet) and treatment group (basal diet supplemented with 1% NCG). At 25 wk, eggs from each group were obtained to assess egg quality parameters. Blood samples were collected for analysis of mineral, hormone, and amino acids levels at 16 h after laying egg. Uterine tissues were removed and fixed in 4% neutral paraformaldehyde solution or kept in liquid nitrogen for mineral determination, quantitative PCR, and Western blot. Results showed that the egg quality (eggshell thickness, strength and percentage, egg specific gravity, and eggshell effective thickness) was significantly increased while effective thickness of mastoid layer, width of mastoid gap, and mammillary knobs were significantly decreased by dietary NCG supplementation (P < 0.05). The levels of minerals (Ca, P, Fe, Mg, Na, K) in eggshell, plasma, and uterus were remarkably elevated (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the concentrations of calcium metabolism-related hormones (17ß-estradiol, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin) were increased in the NCG group (P < 0.05). Moreover, expression of calbindin 1, carbonic anhydrase 2, ovalbumin, ovotransferrin, ovocleidin-17, ovocleidin-116, and clusterin mRNAs, as well as calbindin 1 and ATP2A1 proteins in uterus, duodenum, and kidney, was all upregulated in hens fed with NCG (P < 0.05). In addition, the number of blood vessels in the uterus, height of uterine mucosal folds, villus length in endometrium, and areas of uterine mucosal folds were significantly increased in the NCG group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary 1% NCG supplementation during 0 to 25 wk can improve eggshell quality through changes in endometrial morphology, expression of calcium metabolism-related genes, and secretion of related hormones to promote eggshell formation in the laying hens.

Dietary yeast ß-glucan supplementation improves eggshell color and fertile eggs hatchability as well as enhances immune functions in breeder laying hens.

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary yeast ß-glucan (YG) on performance and immune functions in breeder hens in a non-challenged setting. A total of 512 43-week-old Hy-Line Brown breeder hens were assigned into four treatments, and fed a basal diet with YG at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg /kg for 8 weeks, respectively. Results showed that supplementation of YG did not affect production performance, but linearly increased hatchability (P < 0.05). Compared with the control, hens fed with 200 mg/kg YG had improved eggshell color and reduced mortality. Moreover, feeding 200 mg/kg YG significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced lymphocyte proliferation response to LPS, increased the percentage of peripheral blood CD3+ T cells and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin response; remarkably down-regulated splenic TLR4, IL-6 and TGF-ß mRNA levels while upregulated TLR6 and IFN-γ mRNA levels (P < 0.05). In addition, inclusion of YG at 200 mg/kg considerably promoted the production of serum cytokines, total IgA, and specific antibody titers against BSA, AIV and NDV vaccine (P < 0.05). These results suggested that dietary inclusion of 200 mg/kg YG could improve eggshell color and fertile eggs hatchability and enhance cellular and humoral immune function of breeder hens in a nonchallenged setting without disturbing immune homeostasis.

Effects of phytase supplementation on eggshell and bone quality, and phosphorus and calcium digestibility in laying hens from 25 to 37 wk of age.

Effects of dietary available phosphorus (aP) and Ca levels and an Escherichia coli 6-phytase supplementation were studied in Lohmann LSL-Lite hens from 25 to 37 wk of age. Eighty-four hens were used in a completely randomized design with 7 treatments. The treatments were a positive control (PC) diet with 0.45% aP, 3.70% Ca, and 0.16% Na from 25 to 28 wk and 0.38% aP, 3.73% Ca, and 0.15% Na from 29 to 37 wk; a negative control (NC) diet, similar to the PC diet, with 0.22% aP, 3.00% Ca, and 0.13% Na from 25 to 28 wk and 0.19% aP, 3.02% Ca, and 0.13% Na from 29 to 37 wk; the NC diets supplemented with phytase at 150 (NC + 150), 300 (NC + 300), 600 (NC + 600), or 1,200 (NC + 1,200) phytase unit (FTU)/kg; and the PC diet supplemented with phytase at 1,200 (PC + 1,200) FTU/kg. Hen performance, eggshell, and bone quality were measured on a 4-wk basis. Bone breaking strength and ash and apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of P and Ca were determined at 37 wk. One- and 2-way ANOVA were conducted, and Tukey's range test was used to compare multiple means where P ≤ 0.05. No differences in hen performance, eggshell quality, bone breaking strength, bone ash, and P digestibility were observed between the PC and the NC treatments. The NC hens had lower cortical (P < 0.001) and trabecular + medullary bone mineral density (P = 0.004) and total bone mineral content (P < 0.001) than the PC hens. The PC + 1,200 increased cortical bone mineral density (P < 0.001). The reductions of aP and Ca in the NC diet were not deficient for performance but had a minor impact on bone mineralization. The NC + 600 and NC + 1,200 increased AID of P (P = 0.024), and all phytase treatments except the NC + 150 increased AID of Ca (P = 0.010) compared with the NC diet.