Effects of Chitosan Oligosaccharide on Production Performance, Egg Quality and Ovarian Function in Laying Hens with Fatty Liver Syndrome

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the role of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS) as an additive in the feed of laying hens with fatty liver syndrome (FLS). Effects on production performance, egg quality as well as ovarian function were determined. A total of 360 Lohmann Pink-shell laying hens (28 weeks old) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (6 replicates × 12 birds). Hens were fed with a basal diet and a high-energy low-protein (HELP) diet supplemented with 0, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg COS. COS reversed the lowered laying rates, increased feed-to-egg ratios and decreased albumen heights and Haugh units induced by the HELP diet. Additionally, COS improved the ovarian morphologies damaged by the HELP diet. Furthermore, COS enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, reduced malonaldehyde levels and downregulated the mRNA expressions of nuclear factor kappa B, pro-inflammation cytokine genes and pro-apoptosis-related genes, while it upregulated the mRNA expression of anti-apoptosis-related genes in the ovaries of HELP-diet-fed hens. These findings suggested that dietary COS supplementation could improve production performance and egg quality in laying hens with FLS, and these beneficial effects were linked to improved ovarian morphology, which was attributed to decreased oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis in the ovaries.

Dietary Morus alba L. leaf supplementation improves hepatic lipid accumulation of laying hens via downregulating CircACACA

“…FLHS is characterized by an excess accumulation of fat in the liver accompanied by liver hemorrhage ( Rozenboim et al, 2016 ). FLHS has been more commonly observed in aged laying hens after having undergone intensive metabolism at peak production ( Shini et al, 2018 ) and could lead to a significant reduction in laying rates and egg quality of laying hens ( Tao et al, 2022 ). A Queensland survey showed that in commercial caged hens, approximately 40% of necropsied hens died because of FLHS ( Shini et al, 2018 ).…”

Mixed oligosaccharides-induced changes in bacterial assembly during cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth

“…Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), which is derived from the enzymatic hydrolysis of chitosan, has recently gained attention for its various application such as a health food ( Chantarasataporn et al, 2014 ; Guarnizo et al, 2020 ), plant growth stimulator, feed additive, antimicrobial, and drugs ( Li and Zhu, 2013 ; Chatelain et al, 2014 ; Swiatkiewicz et al, 2015 ; Jia et al, 2019 ; Chang et al, 2020 ; Guarnizo et al, 2020 ; Tao et al, 2022 ; Tzeng et al, 2022 ). In agriculture setting, COS has been found to effectively induce plant innate immunity, improve tolerance to adverse environmental stresses, and promote plant growth.…”