Zinc‐bearing zeolite clinoptilolite improves tissue zinc accumulation in laying hens by enhancing zinc transporter gene mRNA abundance

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate effects of zinc-bearing zeolite clinoptilolite (ZnCP), as an alternative for zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), on laying performance, tissue Zn accumulation and Zn transporter genes expression in laying hens. Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allocated to three treatments, each of which had six replicates with 15 hens per replicate, receiving basal diet supplemented with ZnSO4 (control, 80 mg Zn/kg diet), 0.23% ZnCP (40.25 mg Zn/kg diet) and 0.46% ZnCP (80.50 mg Zn/kg diet) for 8 weeks, respectively. Compared with control, hens fed diet containing 0.23% ZnCP had similar Zn content in measured tissues (P > 0.05). A higher ZnCP inclusion (0.46%) enhanced Zn accumulation in liver (P < 0.05) and pancreas (P < 0.05). In addition, ZnCP inclusion increased blood iron (Fe) content (P < 0.05). ZnCP supplementation enhanced jejunal metallothionein-4 (MT-4) messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance (P < 0.05). ZnCP inclusion at a higher level (0.46%) increased mRNA expression of MT-4 in pancreas (P < 0.05) and zinc transporter-1 (ZnT-1) in jejunum (P < 0.05). The highest ZnT-2 mRNA abundance in jejunum was found in hens fed 0.23% ZnCP inclusion diet (P < 0.05). The results indicated that ZnCP reached a higher bioavailability as compared with ZnSO4 as evidenced by enhanced tissue Zn accumulation and Zn transporter genes expression.

Effects of zinc bearing palygorskite supplementation on the growth performance, hepatic mineral content, and antioxidant status of broilers at early age

“…Similarly, Yan et al [16] have shown that dietary ZnPal or Zn sulfate supplementation increased Zn retention in the pancreas and tibia of broilers at both 21 and 42 days of age. The increased hepatic Zn concentration resulting from ZnPal supplementation observed in this study may be associated with its modulation on the mRNA abundances of metallothioneins and Zn transporters, the key mediators for Zn adsorption and transportation, as previously reported in broiler chickens [19] and laying hens [23] when supplemented with Zn bearing zeolite clinoptilolite. Dietary ZnPal supplementation linearly increased hepatic Mg in this study, and it was consistent with our previous results in the breast muscles of broilers [17].…”

Effects of dietary supplementation with different levels of palygorskite-based composite on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broiler chickens

“…However, clay minerals usually cannot be adsorbed in gastrointestinal tract and enter into blood circulation, and therefore their beneficial effects on redox status in blood and internal organs may be limited to extra corporeal circuits. The loaded active substances with favorable antioxidant activity on Pal such as zinc and essential oil usually can be digested and absorbed by animals ( Li et al, 2015 ; Tang et al, 2015 ; Yang et al, 2016 ; Oceľová et al, 2019 ; Zhang et al, 2022 ), which may provide another possible explanation for the improved redox status of broilers observed in this study. The synergistic effect between Pal and the loaded active substances has been proven both in vitro ( Lei et al, 2017 ; Zhong et al, 2021 ) and in vivo ( Hu et al, 2012 ; Yan et al, 2016 ).…”

Effects of Dietary Zinc Bearing Palygorskite Supplementation on the Carcass Traits, Chemical Composition of Muscle, and Muscular Lead and Chromium Contents of Broilers

“…In broilers, Yan et al (2016b) have shown that Zn-Pal had a higher bioavailability than ZnSO 4 in broiler diets, and the optimal level of supplemented Zn for broilers was 60 mg/kg in the form of Zn-Pal. Previous studies have also indicated, zeolite bearing Zn exhibited a higher bioavailability than ZnSO 4 in broilers ( Tang et al , 2015 ) and laying hens ( Li et al , 2015 ). These studies together indicated that clay bearing Zn may be a prospect Zn source in the future.…”