Anatomy & Physiology: Current Research
Open Access

Abstract

Hen-Day Egg Production and Qualitative Egg Indices in Laying Hens Administered with Lycopene and Vitamin E during the Hot-Dry Season

Joseph Ayodele Obidi*, Joseph Olusegun Ayo, Peter Ibrahim Rekwot and Barth Izuchukwu Onyeanusi

The aim of the study was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of lycopene and vitamin E, administered individually and in combination on laying hens during the hot-dry season. Dry- and wet-bulb temperatures were recorded daily from 06:00-18:00 h during the 5-week experimental period. Laying hens aged 41 weeks, divided into 4 groups of 100 hens each served as subjects: Group 1, lycopene+ vitamin E (30 mg/kg+250 mg/kg body weight, respectively); Group 2, lycopene (30 mg/kg body weight); Group 3, vitamin E (250 mg/kg body weight); and Group 4, controls. All administrations were performed orally by gavage daily for five weeks. Daily and weekly hen-day egg productions, egg weight, eggshell thickness and eggshell weight were determined using standard procedures. The dry-bulb temperature (23.0°C-39.0°C) and temperature-humidity index (24.4°C-35.0°C) recorded show that the hens were subjected to heat stress during the season. Egg production obtained in lycopene (62.4 ± 1.1 %), vitamin E (62.1 ± 1.2%) and lycopene+ vitamin E (62.7 ± 1.0 %) groups were higher (P<0.05) than in controls (56.0 ± 0.8%). Eggshell was thickest in lycopene+ vitamin E group (0.28 ± 0.02 mm), compared to lycopene (0.23 ± 0.02 mm) or vitamin E group (0.22 ± 0.02 mm). The thickness was lowest (P<0.05) in control hens (0.18 ± 0.02 mm) than any other group. Similarly, control laying hens recorded the least (P<0.05) eggshell weight (6.7 ± 0.02 g), compared to the weights recorded in lycopene+ vitamin E, lycopene and vitamin E groups (7.3 ± 0.24 g, 7.3 ± 0.3 g and 7.2 ± 0.3 g, respectively). In conclusion, lycopene and vitamin E, especially in combination, ameliorated the risk of adverse effects of heat stress by increasing hen-day production, eggshell weight and eggshell thickness during the hot-dry season.

Published Date: 2022-05-02; Received Date: 2022-03-31