Dietary Eucommia ulmoides leaf extract improves laying performance by altering serum metabolic profiles and gut bacteria in aged laying hens.

ABSTRACT: The leaves of Eucommia ulmoides are rich in bioactive constituents that have potential gastrointestinal benefits for animals. In aged laying hens, intestinal health issues contribute to a significant decline in egg-laying capacity during intermediate and later stages. It remains unclear whether E. ulmoides leaf extract (ELE) can improve intestinal health and enhance egg production in elderly laying hens, and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Therefore, we conducted a study with 480 laying hens (65 weeks old) randomly allocated into four groups: a control group fed with the basal diet, and three treatment groups supplemented with 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg of ELE, respectively. The primary active constituents of ELE include flavonoids, polysaccharides, terpe

SUBMITTER: Liang X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10694046 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature