Dietary Theabrownin Supplementation Improves Production Performance and Egg Quality by Promoting Intestinal Health and Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Hens

Abstract

Theabrownin, an activated and ample pigment in Pu-erh tea, is known to exert antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic effects in humans, mice, and rats. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of theabrownin (TB) dietary supplementation on production performance, egg quality, intestinal health, and antioxidant capacities in laying hens. In total, 160 Lohmann laying hens (25 weeks old) were randomly split into four groups (each group 40 hens), namely the CONT (control, basal diet + 0 mg/kg TB), TB1 (basal diet + 100 mg/kg TB), TB2 (basal diet + 200 mg/kg TB), and TB4 (basal diet + 400 mg/kg TB) groups, respectively. These were supplemented with TB for 12 weeks. The results showed that the TB1 group exhibited a significantly higher laying rate during 9 to 12 weeks and higher egg weight and feed conversion efficiency (lower FCR) during 5 to 8 weeks and in the overall period (1 to 12 weeks) than the CONT group (p < 0.05). Compared with the CONT group, the eggs from the TB4 group had higher albumen height and Haugh unit than those from the other treatment groups after the 8th and 12th week; notably, the same was also observed in the TB1 and TB2 groups but only after the 12th week (p < 0.05). The albumen quality (albumen height and Haugh unit) after 3 weeks of storage was significantly higher in the TB1, TB2 and TB4 groups than in the CONT group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, TB supplementation lowered the serum levels of total cholesterol and total triglyceride (p < 0.05). Expression analysis revealed that TB2 and TB4 groups had reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05), while TB1, TB2, and TB4 had significantly decreased expression of interleukin-1β and IL-6 (p < 0.05). Conversely, zonula occludens-1, claudin-1, and mucin-2 were upregulated in the TB2 and TB4 groups (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, dietary TB supplementation ameliorated the antioxidant status of the ovary and the magnum, showing a significant reduction in malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in the magnum, the upregulation of glutathione in the ovary, and superoxide dismutase and catalase in the magnum (p < 0.05). Overall, dietary supplementation with TB (>100 mg/kg) improved production performance and egg storage quality by improving the intestinal health and antioxidant capacities of the reproductive system in laying hens.