China Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine ›› 2023, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (12): 4837-4845.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2023.12.006

• Nutrition and Feed • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Astragalus Polysaccharides on Reproductive Performance and Antioxidant Capacity of Yellow-feathered Breeder Hens

LIN Xiajing1, GOU Zhongyong1, FAN Qiuli1, YE Jinling1, RUAN Dong1, WANG Yibing1, ZHANG Sai1, PAN Mushui2, JIANG Shouqun1   

  1. 1. Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Guangzhou 510640, China;
    2. Sericultural & Argi-Food Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510610, China
  • Received:2023-06-10 Online:2023-12-05 Published:2023-11-28
  • Contact: 国家重点研发计划项目(2021YFD1300404);现代农业产业技术体系国家肉鸡产业技术体系(CARS-41);广东省自然科学基金项目(2022A1515012069);广东省重点领域研发计划项目(2020B0202090004) E-mail:308134456@qq.com;jsqun3100@sohu.com
  • Supported by:
    The project was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2019YFC1905301);National Natural Science Foundation of China (22078115,21776108,21690083,22008078).

Abstract: 【Objective】 To explore the effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on reproductive performance and antioxidant capacity of Yellow-feathered breeding hens during laying period.【Method】 A total of one hundred and ninety-two 21-week-old healthy Lingnan Yellow-feathered breeder hens were randomly divided into four treatment groups.Group one was the basal diet control group,and groups two to four were fed the basal diet supplemented with 100,200 and 300 mg/kg APS,respectively.Each treatment group contained six replicates with eight chickens per replicate.During the experiment,the daily feed intake,egg number and egg weight were repeatedly recorded,and fifty eggs in each experimental group were selected for incubation to determine the hatching performance.Twenty-four breeding eggs were randomly selected from each experimental group for egg quality determination,and two chickens were selected from each replicate for blood collection and sample collection,and index of reproductive organ and plasma antioxidant were determined.【Result】 Dietary APS had no significant effects on laying rate,average egg weight,daily egg weight,feed to egg ratio and unqualified egg rate of Yellow-feathered breeder hens (P>0.05).Dietary APS supplementation could significantly affect yolk color,but had no significant effects on other egg quality indexes (P>0.05),and yolk color in 200 mg/kg APS group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).Dietary APS supplementation significantly decreased the percentage of abdominal fat and increased the ovarian index,and the percentage of abdominal fat in 200 mg/kg APS group was significantly lower than that in control group and 300 mg/kg APS group (P<0.05),and the ovarian index in 100 mg/kg APS group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05).The fertilization rate of 100 mg/kg APS group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05).Dietary APS could significantly decrease the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase the activity of glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px) in plasma,the content of MDA in 300 mg/kg APS group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05).The activity of GSH-Px in 200 and 300 mg/kg APS group was significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05).【Conclusion】 Dietary supplementation of APS could improve the hatching performance and egg quality of breeding eggs,and enhance the body’s antioxidant level of Yellow-feathered breeder hens. The suitable supplemental level of APS was 200 mg/kg for Yellow-feathered breeder hens during laying period.

Key words: Yellow-feathered breeder hens; Astragalus polysaccharide; egg quality; hatching performance; reproductive organ

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