Production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression for layers as affected by N-Carbamylglutamate supplementation

Abstract

IntroductionSupplementation of exogenous additives is a strategy to improve laying performance of layers by regulating uterine function. N-Carbamylglutamate (NCG) as an activator for endogenous arginine synthesis has the potential to regulate the laying performance of layers, but its effects have not been fully understood.MethodsThis study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of NCG on production performance, egg quality, and uterine gene expression in layers. A total of 360 45-week-old layers with a genetic line of Jinghong No. 1 were used in this study. The experimental period was 14 weeks. All birds were divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates per treatment and 15 birds per replicate. Dietary treatments were based on a basal diet and supplemented with 0, 0.08, 0.12, or 0.16% NCG to form C, N1, N2, and N3 groups.Results and discussionWe found that layers in group N1 had higher egg production rate than those in group C. Egg weight was significantly reduced, while eggshell thickness was significantly improved, by treatment. However, the albumen height and Haugh unit were the lowest in group N3. Based on the above results, groups C and N1 were selected for further transcriptomics analysis of uterine tissue by RNA-seq. More than 7.4 Gb clean reads and 19,882 tentative genes were obtained using the Gallus gallus genome as a reference. Transcriptomics analysis in uterus tissue revealed that 95 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated and 127 DEGs were downregulated. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs in uterine tissue were mainly enriched in glutathione metabolism, cholesterol metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism, etc. Vitamin A metabolism-related gene, RBP1, nutrient transport-related gene, ALB, protein synthesis-related gene, METTL21C, and calcium transport-related gene, RYR2, CACNB2, RAMP3, and STAC, were significantly regulated by 0.08% NCG supplementation. Therefore, we concluded that NCG supplementation at a dose of 0.08% improved production performance and egg quality of layers by regulating uterus function.

Effect of N-Carbamylglutamate Supplementation on Growth Performance, Jejunal Morphology, Amino Acid Transporters, and Antioxidant Ability of Weaned Pigs

“…Given the low NAG activity in the intestines of piglets, post-weaning arginine requirements often remain inadequately fulfilled, rendering arginine an essential amino acid for piglets [12]. Research conducted on poultry has indicated that NCG can enhance the performance and egg quality as well as the antioxidant capacity of laying hens [13,14]. Studies using NCG in weaned piglets have found that NCG may promote intestinal growth and improve growth performance [6].…”

N-carbamylglutamate supplementation regulates hindgut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid contents in Charollais and Small Tail Han crossbred sheep

“…By entering the mitochondria and activating the key enzyme carbamoyl phosphate synthase-1 in the urea cycle, NCG accelerates citrulline synthesis and promotes endogenous arginine production (6). In monogastric animals, NCG supplementation has been reported to improve growth and reproductive performance (7)(8)(9).…”