Lycopene regulates production performance, antioxidant capacity, and biochemical parameters in breeding hens

Abstract

Lycopene is a carotenoid present in vegetables and ripe fruit and has been proved to be the most potent antioxidant among various common carotenoids. This study assessed the effects of lycopene on performance production, tissue lycopene content, antioxidant capacity, and biochemical parameters in 720 Xing-hua breeding hens. Rice-soybean diets were supplemented with different lycopene levels: 0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg. Lycopene supplementation significantly increased fertilization rates in hens. Serum and egg lycopene contents and the Roche Yolk Colour Fan score increased with lycopene supplementation through day 7. In the liver, lycopene supplementation significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG). Additionally, lycopene supplementation increased serum SOD, serum T-AOC, serum glutathione peroxidase, and serum GSH/GSSG. Lycopene addition significantly decreased total cholesterol and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triiodothyroxine. It also improved fertilization rates, antioxidant capacity, and metabolism in breeding hens.