Analysis of Serum Biochemical Indexes, Egg Quality, and Liver Transcriptome in Laying Hens Fed Diets Supplemented with Gynostemma pentaphyllum Powder

Abstract

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (GP), known as “southern ginseng”, can reduce the blood pressure and blood lipid levels. In this study, 300 layer chicks of one day old were divided randomly into three groups (control group (base diet), high addition group (base diet with 1% GP), and low addition group (base diet with 0.5% GP)). After 29 weeks, the growth performance, egg quality, and serum index were determined. Additionally, liver mRNA was identified using RNA-seq to investigate the molecular mechanisms. The results indicated that the serum total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly in the GP addition group. The addition of GP increased the egg weight, Haugh unit and redness (a*) of the egg yolk color, and reduced the yolk cholesterol concentration. Moreover, 95 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between the control and GP addition group. GO and the KEGG analysis showed that the PPAR pathway was significantly enriched. Five fatty acid metabolism-related genes (FABP3, CYP7A1, ANKRD22, SCD1, and PCK1) were validated by qRT-PCR analysis, which confirmed the tendency of the expression. These DEGs in the PPAR pathway may be the key factors of GP affecting fatty acid metabolism. These results may provide a theoretical basis for further research and new insights into GP as a feed additive.

Oregano Oil Combined with Macleaya Cordata Oral Solution Improves the Growth Performance and Immune Response of Broilers

“…Serum protein content reflects the digestion and absorption of protein and body immunity, while serum urea nitrogen content reflects protein metabolism and amino acid balance in animals [ 22 ]. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol contents reflect the lipid metabolism status of animals [ 25 ]. Excessive triglyceride content in serum will lead to metabolic diseases in the body, and oregano oil combined with macleaya cordata oral solution could reduce the possibility of metabolic diseases.…”

“…Serum alkaline phosphatase to some extent can reflect the damage level of the cells under normal circumstances and low serum alkaline phosphatase activity. When cells are subjected to various factors, such as stress stimulation and damage, cell membrane permeability increases, alkaline phosphatase is released into the blood speed increase and there is a significant rise in serum ALP activity [ 25 ]. In this study, the oregano oil combined with macleaya cordata oral solution significantly improved serum biochemical indices, which is consistent with the effect of the extracts of oregano oil or macleaya cordata previously reported [ 23 , 26 ].…”