Royal Jelly Improves the Morphology of the Reproductive Tract, Internal Egg Quality, and Blood Biochemical Parameters in Laying Hens at the Late Stage of Production

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on the morphology of the reproductive tract, egg production, and blood biochemical indices of aged laying hens. In total, 120 Lohman Brown laying hens at week 58 of age were randomly assigned into three equal groups. Pure RJ was dissolved in distilled water and injected subcutaneously as follows: the first treatment (R1; 100 mg RJ kg−1); the second treatment (R2; 200 mg RJ kg−1); the control treatment (CON; 1 mL distilled water). Both RJ-treated groups exhibited a significantly higher number of large yellow follicles (LYFs), small yellow follicles (SYFs), and large white follicles (LWFs) (p ˂ 0.05). Furthermore, RJ treatment significantly increased the diameter and weight of the F1 follicles. However, only the R2 group exhibited significantly greater ovary and uterus weights. RJ treatment did not affect the percentage of oviduct and weight of ovarian stroma. In addition, RJ increased the hen–day egg production rate compared with the CON group; however, only the R2 group showed greater egg weight (p = 0.032). RJ treatment also improved the albumen height, Haugh units, and yolk index. The administration of RJ significantly decreased the serum glucose, but increased the levels of serum albumen and cholesterol. In conclusion, RJ treatment may improve the morphology of the reproductive tract (including follicular growth and oviduct morphology), egg production rate, and internal egg quality traits of aged laying hens.

Royal Jelly: Biological Action and Health Benefits

“…Ovulation was advanced, and follicular growth and estradiol secretion were increased. Similar data were obtained in laying hens where RJ at doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight attenuated the negative effects of senescence, improved the morphology of the reproductive tract, stimulated follicular growth and the rate of egg production, and improved the internal egg quality parameters in elderly laying hens [210].…”

Bee Products for Poultry and Rabbits: Current Challenges and Perspectives

“…Administered at the level of 100-200 mg/kg of diet Increases laying hen-day egg production rate. [42] Administered at the level of 150 mg/kg of body weight Improves rabbits' physiological status including liver and kidney functions and prevents summer infertility. [43] Administered at the level of 200 mg/kg of diet Maximizes profits from safe and high-quality products of chickens.…”

“…This inclusion also improved some blood biochemical traits, such as total protein and globulin, while decreasing blood cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations. Serum biochemical profile, including total protein, globulin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hormones (triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and corticosterone), and cholesterol concentrations, is a good indicator of animal health and production because blood biochemical trait concentrations are related to several productive traits and immunological health performance [42,[55][56][57]. Likewise, Dosoky et al [35] revealed that propolis, at the level of 300 mg/kg diet, has positive effects on bird performance, antioxidative activity, and immunity.…”

Effects of immersing Japanese quail eggs in various doses of riboflavin on reproductive, growth performance traits, blood indices and economics

“…In fact, it's predicted that by 2031, chicken will be the most popular type of meat, even more popular than beef and lamb combined ( FAO, 2022 ). To preserve farm animals' general health and boost their productivity and capacity for reproduction, numerous feed additives were also added ( Ashour et al, 2020 ; Swelum et al, 2020 ; Wasef et al, 2020 ; El-Tarabany et al, 2021 ; Salah et al,2021 Abd El-Hack et al, 2022 ). Several studies ( Alagawany et al, 2016 , 2017 ; Khafaga et al, 2019 ; Saeed et al, 2019 ; Abdelnour et al, 2020 ; Youssef et al, 2023a , b ; Abd Elzaher et al, 2023 ; Youssef et al, 2024 ) have suggested feed additives derived from natural sources as safer substitutes for antibiotics.…”