The Effect of Dietary Rye Inclusion and Xylanase Supplementation on Structural Organization of Bone Constitutive Phases in Laying Hens Fed a Wheat-Corn Diet

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary rye inclusion and xylanase supplementation on the bone quality of ISA Brown laying hens. Ninety-six laying hens were assigned to four groups: fed with wheat–corn diet or rye–wheat–corn diet (25% of hybrid rye inclusion) or nonsupplemented or supplemented with xylanase (200 mg/kg of feed) for a period of 25 weeks, from the 26th to the 50th week of age. X-ray absorptiometry, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to provide comprehensive information about the structural organization of bone constitutive phases of the tibia mid-diaphysis in hens from all treatment groups. Bone hydroxyapatite size was not affected by diet. Xylanase supplementation influenced the carbonate-to-phosphate ratio and crystallinity index in hens fed with both diets. Xylanase had more pronounced effects on bone mineral density and collagen maturity in hens fed with the rye–wheat–corn diet versus those fed with the wheat–corn diet. The results of this study showed that modern rye varieties, when supplemented with exogenous xylanase, can be introduced to the diet of laying hens without any adverse effects on bone structure.

Changes in the Intestinal Histomorphometry, the Expression of Intestinal Tight Junction Proteins, and the Bone Structure and Liver of Pre-Laying Hens Following Oral Administration of Fumonisins for 21 Days

“…The current study also revealed an increased amount of immature collagen in trabecular and compact bone, which could indicate intense bone repair or bone turnover. The same result was observed in the medullary bone of the pre-laying hens, which is a secondary bone in the marrow cavity and plays a key role in the maintenance of bone homeostasis in layers during eggshell formation [36,41]. Besides an increase in the content of immature collagen in medullary trabeculae, we also observed an improvement in all the histomorphometrical parameters assessed.…”

Modern Hybrid Rye, as an Alternative Energy Source for Broiler Chickens, Improves the Absorption Surface of the Small Intestine Depending on the Intestinal Part and Xylanase Supplementation

“…The current study investigated the effects of the inclusion of modern hybrid rye (Brasetto variety) to a corn–wheat-based diet, with or without xylanase supplementation, on the absorptive surface of the small intestine of broilers. Previous studies have shown that the use of rye, as an alternative energy source in poultry diets, has been associated with increased viscosity of the digesta and thus poor digestibility and absorption of ingested nutrients [ 8 ]. Rye inclusion, as well as xylanase supplementation, has yielded conflicting results with regards to their effects on the absorptive surface of the small intestine.…”

“…Nonetheless, the utilization of rye in poultry diets has been shown to impair poultry performance [ 4 , 5 , 6 ] due to its high content of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), mainly in the form of arabinoxylans [ 7 ]. The limited capacity of monogastric animals to digest these NSPs results in increased digesta viscosity, decreased nutrient digestibility, slowed passage of the digesta through the gastrointestinal tract and the increased incidence of wet and sticky droppings [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Assessing Bone Health Status and Eggshell Quality of Laying Hens at the End of a Production Cycle in Response to Inclusion of a Hybrid Rye to a Wheat–Corn Diet

“…However, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding the effects of substituting corn with hybrid rye and xylanase supplementation on bone and eggshell mechanical properties and mineralization which thus warrants investigation. Previously, we have shown the positive effects of xylanase supplementation on collagen maturity in the tibia of hens fed a wheat-corn diet with inclusion of 25% rye [18]. This indicated that the dietary inclusion of rye influenced bone homeostasis but did not provide any information regarding the effect of the diet on bone biomechanical properties or mineralization.…”

“…The conditions under which the hens were housed are described in detail in a previous publication [18]. Briefly, during the pre-experimental period, 96, 17-week-old, commercial ISA Brown laying hens were housed with two hens per cage, under climate-controlled conditions, in wire-mesh floor cages, and were fed a standard commercial diet.…”