Higher Bioavailability of Calcium in Chickens With a Novel In-Feed Pharmaceutical Formulation

Abstract

Egg production and egg shell quality decrease toward the end of the first laying cycle in hens (approximately by week 80). Even so, farmers often choose to work a second cycle with them. Defective egg shell production has been mainly linked to a decrease in gastrointestinal absorption of calcium. Here we studied pharmaceutically-designed modified-release small pellets (FOLAs) containing calcium to improve calcium bioavailability (F). The influence of FOLA alone or with capsicum-oleoresin was studied in a total of 400 Bovans-White hens randomly divided into four groups of 20 laying hens each and with five replicates per group (n = 100) as follows: (1) control group (GC) receiving a diet containing basal levels of 4.1% of calcium-carbonate; (2) group GF treated as GC but with the same dose of calcium-carbonate in FOLA; (3) group GFc5 was treated as GF but with 6 ppm of capsicum-oleoresin (500,000 Scoville Heat Units [SHU]); and (4) group GFc10 treated as GFc5 but with 1,000,000 SHU capsicum-oleoresin. Plasma concentrations of calcium were determined during 5 days at predetermined times sampling more often on days 1 and 5 for blood plasma kinetics of calcium. Relative bioavailability (Fr) values based on the area under the serum calcium concentration vs. time curve (AUC) were obtained and compared to GC. The AUC was statistically different among all groups (P < 0.5), but the GFc10 had the greatest Fr (194%), with serum calcium concentrations ranging from 25.37 to 31.2 µg/dL. Calcium residence time (RT) between GC and GF showed no statistical differences while GFc5 and GFc10 had statistically superior RT values. Simultaneously, the number of shell-less eggs per group and their thickness was evaluated by utilizing the same groups but with 150 hens per group on 6 days. Shell-less eggs decreased to zero in Group GFc10 and produced eggs with the greatest shell thickness from day 2 onwards. The inclusion of calcium-carbonate in the pharmaceutical form FOLA induced higher serum calcium concentrations (GF, GFc5, and GFc10) particularly during the night-phase of the hen's cycle-this coincides with the time at which egg shell formation occurs.

Calcium-carbonate and phytoelements to improve egg production in backyard laying hens under heat stress

“…Hence, production was maintained as efficiently as that observed in first cycle hens. (12,14) Nevertheless, it may be possible that the supplementation with turmeric powder and cinnamon powder could have assisted the formulation of FOLA-pellets described here, as it has been shown that these phytoelements improve various performance parameters in poultry. (43,44) To ponder these results, and despite the benefits outlined, it will be of particular interest to carry out economic studies in hens that produce eggs for human consumption, as well as in hens producing fertile eggs for broiler production.…”

“…Briefly, FOLA-pellets are obtained by extruding corn and wheat flour (1:1) containing modified release vehicles (mentioned in the referred patent), plus 4.1 % calcium-carbonate. (12,14) Animals A total of 180 Bovans-White weighing 1 570 ± 20 g, laying hens in a second cycle (> 180 weeks old) and 180 Bovans-White hens in the third cycle (> 270 weeks of age), were included in this trial carried out from August to Mid December 2022. To test FOLA pellet subjected to environmental heat stress, further 90-second and third-cycle Bovans-White hens were studied for egg production and eggshell thickness during May 2023, the hottest period of the year in the central part of Mexico, reaching temperatures at or above 30 °C.…”

“…(11) Low-quality eggshells in the second laying cycle have been linked to body changes such as poor intestinal absorption of nutrients, particularly calcium. We have reported that a modified release preparation of various pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals can be designed to improve the absorption capabilities of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of hens and poultry, (12)(13)(14) and that the inclusion of capsaicin and calcium in the FOLA pellets improves the bioavailability of calcium in second cycle hens. A patent has been granted for the pelleted pharmaceutical form (MX/a/2012/013222) under the name of FOLA (F = bioavailability; O = optimal; LA = Long action) as it can improve the bioavailability of calcium from calcium carbonate, one of the most inexpensive sources of this element.…”

“…A patent has been granted for the pelleted pharmaceutical form (MX/a/2012/013222) under the name of FOLA (F = bioavailability; O = optimal; LA = Long action) as it can improve the bioavailability of calcium from calcium carbonate, one of the most inexpensive sources of this element. (12)(13)(14) An additional problem to consider is global climate warming. Laying hens are among the most sensitive species to heat stress due to their deficient ability to dissipate body heat.…”

“…(36,37) The FOLA formulation manages to maintain the nutrients in the GIT of the birds for a longer time. Hence, as modified-release pharmaceutical system for antibiotics (12,38) it was thought possible that it could improve the bioavailability of nutrients and active principles in poultry. Therefore, the working hypothesis for this trial is that egg production and shell quality in second and third-cycle backyard hens subjected to moderated heat-stress, will be better sustained with phytocompounds and calcium carbonate manufactured as for the FOLA design, as compared to unsupplemented hens.…”