Alpha-lipoic acid improves the reproduction performance of breeder hens during the late egg-laying period

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a multifunctional antioxidant, can promote fatty acid mobilization, energy expenditure and scavenge free radicals. The effects of dietary ALA on the reproductive performance of breeder hens were investigated in the current study. In the 5-week experiment, 180 54-week-old Qiling breeder hens were randomly divided into three treatments with five replicates and supplemented with three levels of ALA (0, 300 and 600 mg/kg) in the basic corn-soya bean meal diets. 600 mg/kg ALA treatment group (HLA) significantly improved the eggshell thickness and strength (p < .05). ALA-treated groups improved egg-laying rate compared with the CON group, but with no statistically significant difference (p > .05). The levels of HDL-C, ALB and estradiol (E2) of the serum in the HLA group were elevated compared with the CON group (p < .05). In addition, ALA (600 mg/kg) treatment exhibited a reduced level of serum AST and TG (p < .05). Dietary ALA increased the activity of hepatic lipase in liver (p < .05). Supplemental 600 mg/kg ALA also improved the SOD activity and total antioxidant capacity level, along with a decreased MDA in ovarian tissue (p < .05). Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of ESR1, ESR2, VTG2 and ApoB in the liver and FSHR in follicles were upregulated in the HLA group (p < .05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 600 mg/kg ALA during the late egg-laying period could improve lipid metabolism and reproductive performance of breeder hens.