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Rehmanniae Radix Powder Enhances Antioxidative Capacity, Immunity, and Gut Health in Late-Phase Laying Hens
Yunqing Guo1, Botao Wang1, Qingping Luo1,2
1Key Laboratory of Prevention and Control Agents for Animal Bacteriosis (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs), Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Pathogenic Microbiology, Institute of Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Hubei Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China.
Rehmannia glutinosa root powder (RRP) improved laying hen performance by boosting antioxidant capacity, splenic immune function, and gut health. This dietary supplement enhanced egg production and overall physiological condition in late-phase laying hens.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Laying hen physiological function is critical for production, particularly in the late laying phase.
- Rehmannia glutinosa root powder (RRP) is known for its diverse biological activities.
- Understanding RRP's impact on late-phase laying hen health is important for optimizing poultry production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa root powder (RRP) on the immune function and overall health of laying hens during the late laying phase.
- To evaluate RRP's influence on antioxidant capacity, serum biochemistry, splenic immunity, and intestinal health.
Main Methods:
- Laying hens were supplemented with RRP, and various parameters were evaluated.
- Measurements included egg production rate, egg weight, serum biochemical markers, antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase), splenic immune gene expression (J-chain, IL-2, caspase-3), T-cell ratios, intestinal tight junction protein expression, and gut microbiota composition.
- 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze microbial community structure and predicted functional pathways.
Main Results:
- RRP supplementation increased egg production rate by 1.39 percentage points.
- RRP elevated superoxide dismutase activity and serum albumin levels.
- Splenic immune gene expression and helper-to-cytotoxic T-cell ratio were upregulated, indicating enhanced immune regulation.
- Intestinal tight junction protein expression was significantly increased.
- RRP altered gut microbiota, decreasing Actinobacteria and increasing Bacteroidota, Bacteroides, and norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UG-014.
- Predicted microbial functions shifted towards upregulated metabolism pathways and downregulated quorum-sensing pathways.
Conclusions:
- Dietary RRP supplementation effectively improved antioxidant status, splenic immune function, and intestinal health in late-phase laying hens.
- RRP enhances physiological conditions, leading to improved egg production performance.
- RRP modulates the gut microbiota, contributing to its beneficial effects on laying hen health.
