Egg production performance, egg yolk antioxidant profile and excreta concentration of corticosterone in golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus) fed diets containing different levels of green vegetables

Abstract

In order to study the effect of feeding graded levels of green vegetables on egg production performance and egg yolk antioxidant status, 27 female golden pheasants (GP) were randomly distributed into three groups of nine each in an experiment based on completely randomized design. The diets of the birds in groups T , T and T contained 1.4%, 2.7% and 5.0% of green vegetables respectively. Feeding of experimental diets started on 12th February (day 1) and was continued till 30 June 2012. Average number of eggs laid and egg mass produced by the hens in group T was higher (p < 0.004) than those of T and T . Hen day egg production was lowest (p < 0.001) in group T . Roche yolk colour score was highest (p < 0.01) in T followed by T and was lowest in T . Other external and internal egg quality parameters were similar among the groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of egg yolk was higher (p < 0.04) in group T as compared to other two groups. Egg yolk concentration of total carotenoids, β-carotene, total sulfhydryl, protein-bound sulfhydryl and non-protein-bound sulfhydryl was higher (p < 0.05), whereas concentration of malondialdehyde was lower (p < 0.024) in group T as compared to other two groups. Excreta concentration of corticosterone was highest (p < 0.012) in T , followed by T , and was lowest in T . Egg yolk concentration of TAC and TSH was positively and that of malondialdehyde was negatively correlated with carotenoids intake. Excreta concentration of corticosterone was negatively correlated with carotenoids intake. It was concluded that incorporation of green vegetables in the diet at 5% on dry matter basis would improve egg production, egg yolk antioxidant status and the ability of the captive GP to combat stress.

Effects of Dried Spinach Leaf Supplementation on Performance and Egg Quality in Laying Hen Diets

“…In the present study, yolk color fan score was increased with commercial colorant supplement and spinach leaf supplements. Similar results were determined in green vegetable supplementation by Kullu et al (2017). Spinach leaf is a green vegetable and contains mostly lutein, moreover lutein bioavailability from lutein supplements, lutein of spinach did not differ.…”

“…In the current experiment the results showed that supplementation of dried spinach leaf by 1% increased the egg mass. Similar results were observed in a study that supplementation of green vegetables (spinach and fenugreek) increased the egg mass and egg production in pheasants (Kullu et al, 2017). In other studies, different lutein sources supplementation had no effects on feed intake, live weight, egg mass and hen day production (Hasin et al 2006;Lokaewmanee et al, 2011;Lu et al 2013).…”

Effect of Sodium Selenite, Selenium Yeast, and Bacterial Enriched Protein on Egg Yolk Colour, Antioxidant Profiles and Oxidative Stability

“…No signi cant (p > 0.05) antioxidant activity of egg yolk or meat was found when measured in the above study with a ferric reduction antioxidant power assay. Similarly, in golden pheasants (Chrysolophus pictus) fed diets containing different levels of green vegetables, egg yolk total antioxidant activity was positively affected [77]. In the current study, organic Se was found to increase the carotenoid content and decreased cholesterol content of egg yolk, which may have led to the higher egg antioxidant capacity.…”

Complete mitochondrial genome of Chrysolophus pictus (Galliformes: Phasianidae), a national protected wild pheasant in China

“…3.1 regarded as 'Least Concern' (2012). The previous studies on C. pictus mainly focused on possible evolutionary significance of egg-white proteins, egg production performance and nutritional value (Baker 1965;Gao et al 2016;Kullu et al 2017). Genetic characteristics are very important in species conservation, however, there is no more reports on the mitogenome of the golden-pheasant C. pictus in North China.…”

“…2016 ; Kullu et al. 2017 ). Genetic characteristics are very important in species conservation, however, there is no more reports on the mitogenome of the golden-pheasant C. pictus in North China.…”