China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2022, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (6): 2116-2128.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2022.06.012

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Physiological Function of Quercetin and Its Application in Chickens Production

MEI Huadi1,2, TIAN Qi1,2, QU Shengfu1,2, GAO Fengxian2, MA Xianyong1, LI Zhenming1, LUO Xuehui3, YU Miao1   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, South China Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding and Nutrition, Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center for Quality and Safety Control and Evaluation of Livestock and Poultry Meat, Guangzhou 510640, China;
    2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China;
    3. Qingyuan Chickens Research Institute, Qingcheng District, Qingyuan City, Qingyuan 511510, China
  • Received:2021-10-22 Online:2022-06-05 Published:2022-05-27

Abstract: Quercetin is a natural flavonoid organic compound, which is rich in natural resources, safe and non-toxic.Quercetin has many physiological functions:It can directly remove free radicals in cells, activate antioxidant enzyme system, inhibit signal transduction of oxidative stress pathway, and subsequently exert antioxidant function.It can limit the production of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the activation of inflammatory pathways and reducing the activation of white blood cells, and thus achieve the anti-inflammatory effect.It can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of tumor cells, promote their apoptosis and finally play an important role in anti-tumor.It can exert antibacterial function by blocking the ways related to biofilm formation of potential pathogenic bacteria, such as the destruction of the cell wall and cell membrane structure, the synthesis of protein and nucleic acid and the binding of ATP.In the application of chickens production, quercetin can improve the growth of broilers by increasing the transport and absorption of nutrients in ileum and reducing the damage caused by intestinal oxidative stress.It can improve the laying performance by promoting the development of reproductive organs of laying hens and enhancing the secretion of reproductive and growth-related hormones.It can improve the product quality of eggs and chickens, regulate the metabolism of calcium, protein and lipid, improve the immune function of organism, and regulate the intestinal microflora.The authors reviewed the important physiological functions of quercetin, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation and antibacterial actions and underlying mechanisms, as well as the application progress of quercetin in chickens production in recent years, in order to provide theoretical basis for promoting the application of quercetin in chickens production and the development in chicken feed.

Key words: quercetin; chickens; physiological function; action mechanism

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