Dietary mulberry‐leaf flavonoids supplementation improves liver lipid metabolism and ovarian function of aged breeder hens

Abstract

Mulberry‐leaf flavonoids (MF), extracted from mulberry leaves, exert antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects. The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of dietary MF on the ovarian function and liver lipid metabolism of aged breeder hens. We used 270 (60‐weeks‐old) Qiling breeder hens randomly assigned in 3 treatments with supplemental dietary MF doses (0, 30, 60 mg/kg). The results showed that dietary MF significantly improved the egg‐laying rate, followed by the reduced feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < 0.05). However, there is no obvious difference in hatchability and fertilised eggs hatchability among the three groups (p > 0.05). The level of T‐CHO, LDL‐C and AKP in serum was reduced, and the HDL‐C concentrations were increased by dietary MF (p < 0.05). MF treatment also improved the antioxidant capacity and reduced the apoptotic index of the ovary (p < 0.05). Additionally, dietary MF significantly increased the serum estradiol (E2) levels (p < 0.05) and the transcription level of CYP19A1 and LHR in the ovary (p < 0.05). Dietary MF enhanced fatty acid β‐oxidation in the liver via up‐regulating the mRNA expressions of PPARα and CPT‐I (p < 0.05). Moreover, the HMF group significantly decreased mRNA expressions of SREBP‐1c (p < 0.05) and increased mRNA expressions of ERα, VTG‐Ⅱ and ApoB in the liver (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary MF could improve the reproduction performance of aged breeder hens through improving ovary function and hepatic lipid metabolism.

Effect of the Replacement of Maize Silage and Soyabean Meal with Mulberry Silage in the Diet of Hu Lambs on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Slaughter Performance, and Meat Quality

“…In this study, it was found that the replacement of maize silage with mulberry silage in diet significantly increased the EE content in longissimus dorsi muscles of Hu lambs. Studies have shown that the flavonoids rich in mulberry leaves have a regulatory effect on animal fat deposition and lipid metabolism [ 46 ], which might be the reason for the increase in the EE content after maize silage was replaced by mulberry silage in this experiment. Studies have shown that the final pH value of mutton after slaughter should be between 5.6 and 6.4 [ 47 ].…”

Effect of sea buckthorn extract on production performance, serum biochemical indexes, egg quality, and cholesterol deposition of laying ducks

“…It has been reported that plants and plant extracts can be used as feed additives to improve egg production performance, egg quality and immunity of chickens, and to reduce cholesterol levels (7). As everyone knows, plants are rich in many natural bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and polysaccharides, among which mulberry leaf flavonoids can improve egg production and antioxidant capacity of chickens and improve feed conversion ratio (8).…”

Dietary naringin supplementation on hepatic yolk precursors formation and antioxidant capacity of Three-Yellow breeder hens during the late laying period

“…Egg yolk formation, which is closely correlated with molecular and physiological characteristics of the liver, constitutes an essential process of egg production in hens ( Zhu et al, 2020 ). At the late laying stage of the hen, egg production decline is accompanied by excessive lipid deposition ( Wang et al, 2020a ), reductions in yolk precursor formation ability ( Huang et al, 2022 ) and decreased in liver antioxidant capacity ( Qi et al, 2019 ). It is demonstrated that dietary supplemented with plant derived extracts could improve egg production via regulating lipid metabolism, increasing yolk formation, attenuating hepatic oxidative stress, etc.…”

“…Similar to commercial hens, the laying performance of broiler breeder hens decreased dramatically during the late laying period, which reduce the economic benefits of broiler breeder hens seriously ( Zhang et al, 2019 ; Chen et al, 2021 ). Previous studies demonstrated that the egg laying rate declines sharply during the late laying period of hens might relate to changes in serum reproductive hormones ( Hao et al, 2021 ), ovarian dysfunction ( May-Panloup et al, 2016 ), reduction in numbers of hierarchical follicles ( Yao et al, 2022 ) and liver function failure ( Huang et al, 2022 ).…”