Effects of wheat inclusion and xylanase supplementation of the diet on productive performance, nutrient retention, and endogenous intestinal enzyme activity of laying hens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effects of inclusion of a wheat cultivar (high in nonstarch polysaccharides) and xylanase supplementation of the diet on productive performance, pH of the gastrointestinal tract, nutrient retention, and intestinal enzyme activity of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens from 25 to 47 wk of age. The experiment was completely randomized with 8 treatments arranged factorially with 4 levels of wheat (0, 23, 46, and 69%) that corresponded to a dietary arabinoxylan content of 3.0, 3.3, 3.6, and 3.9%, with or without xylanase supplementation. Each treatment was replicated 5 times. For the entire experimental period, egg weight (P < 0.05) and egg mass (P < 0.01) were reduced and the feed conversion ratio was hindered (P < 0.05) with increased levels of wheat in the diet, but ADFI and egg production were not affected. Xylanase supplementation improved egg production (P < 0.05), egg mass (P < 0.01), and the feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). Diet did not affect egg quality at any age, except for shell thickness at 47 wk that was improved with xylanase supplementation (P < 0.05). Digesta pH of the different organs of the gastrointestinal tract was not affected by wheat inclusion or xylanase supplementation. Ileal viscosity increased (P < 0.001) with wheat inclusion and decreased (P < 0.001) with xylanase supplementation at all ages. Fat digestibility (P < 0.001) decreased with increased levels of wheat but AME(n) content of the diets (P < 0.05) and nitrogen retention were not affected. Wheat inclusion increased (P < 0.001) amylase (33 wk), lipase (33 wk), and aminopeptidase (47 wk) activity in the duodenum as well as lipase activity in the jejunum at 47 wk of age. However, xylanase supplementation did not affect the activity of any of the enzymes studied. It is concluded that most of the negative effects of wheat inclusion in the diet were reduced or even disappeared with xylanase supplementation. Wheat with a high nonstarch polysaccharide content (Pishtaz cultivar) can be used at levels of up to 69% in laying-hen diets without negatively affecting bird performance, provided that feeds are supplemented with xylanase.

Effect of Non-Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) of Wheat and Barley Supplemented with Exogenous Enzyme Blend on Growth Performance, Gut Microbial, Pancreatic Enzyme Activities, Expression of Glucose Transporter (SGLT1) and Mucin Producer (MUC2) Genes of Broiler Chickens

“…The present research has consistently elicited the negative effects of soluble NSP of wheat and barley, as also demonstrated by other researchers (Yin et al, 2000;Olukosi et al, 2007;Mirzaie et al, 2012). However, the comparative effects of different types of NSP on broiler performance and physiological responses have not been adequately cleared.…”

“…These results are consistent with previous reports. (Yin et al, 2000;Choct et al, 2006;Mirzaie et al, 2012). Digest NSP of wheat and barley by carbohydrases has been successful and promising in broilers (Olukosi et al, 2007;Slominski, 2011).…”

“…This mode may indicate needs for greater secretion of pancreatic enzymes (Williams, 1996;Denbow, 2000). Based on relevant research findings intestinal enzyme activity depends on the original of dietary nutrient and quantity or quality of anti-nutrients in the gut (Li et al, 2004;Mirzaie et al, 2012). Also diet issue affects the magnitude of secretion…”

“…These grains could locally grow in many areas of the world and have lower water requirements than corn (Ravindran et al 1999;Lin et al 2010). The major components of wheat and barley are starch and proteins, though they have considerable content of nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP), derived from the cell walls (Olukosi et al 2007;Mirzaie et al 2012).…”

Influence of particle size of the cereal of the diet on egg production, egg quality, and the development of the gastrointestinal tract of brown-egg laying hens

“…Barley and wheat contain variable amounts of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) which increase digesta viscosity and reduce nutrient absorption and performance in broilers (Edney et al, 1989;Wang et al, 2005;García et al, 2008) and laying hens (Lázaro et al, 2003;Mirzaie et al, 2012). In layers, a high NSP content of the diet is associated with an increase in dirty eggs (Francesch and Brufau, 2004).…”