نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
Introduction: Garlic (Allium sativum) is a well-known aromatic herb that has been used for centuries for its therapeutic properties, largely attributed to its bioactive compounds such as allicin. These compounds have been shown to support immune function, mitigate oxidative stress, and improve overall health status in poultry. Similarly, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), an aromatic perennial herb from the Apiaceae family, is valued for its seeds containing antioxidants and phytoestrogens that may positively influence ovarian morphology and reproductive efficiency. The poultry industry is increasingly turning to medicinal plants as natural alternatives to synthetic additives, aiming to boost productivity and promote bird health. Previous studies have demonstrated that supplementation with garlic and fennel extracts can significantly improve productive parameters, including egg production and reproductive performance. However, the specific mechanisms and effects on ovarian histomorphology require more study. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of garlic and fennel extracts administered separately on the performance traits and ovarian morphology of layer breeder hens, with the goal of understanding how these natural supplements can enhance reproductive health and egg production. The findings of this research may support the use of medicinal plants as natural alternatives for improving reproductive functions and productivity in poultry, contributing to more sustainable and welfare-oriented poultry production systems.
Materials and Methods: In this study, sixty-layer breeders of the Hy-Line W80 strain in Sixty-five weeks of age were allocated into three groups, with five replicates and four hens per replicate. The dietary treatments were as follows: (1) control diet based on corn and soybean meals; (2) control diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of dried fennel extract; and (3) control diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg of dried garlic extract. The experimental groups were managed for 10 weeks, and performance traits such as feed intake, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg weight were evaluated weekly. The experimental diets were formulated using UFFDA software. At the end of the experimental period at 75 weeks of age, one hen per replicate, totaling five hens per group were euthanized and the ovarian and magnum tissues were fixed in formalin for histological examination. In this study, large ovarian follicles defined as those with a diameter exceeding 10 mm were counted, the weight and diameter of each follicle were measured individually. The performance data and follicle characteristics were analyzed by SAS software version 8.9 using the GLM procedure and microscopic data were analyzed by GraphPad Prism software.
Results and Discussion: The results indicated that dietary supplementation with garlic and fennel extracts had no significant effect on the performance of layer breeder hens (P > 0.05). These findings are not consistent with multiple prior studies, which have reported positive impacts of these phytogenic additives on poultry performance. This discrepancy may stem from differences in experimental design, supplementation levels, or the specific strains of poultry used in different studies, highlighting the complexity of integrating herbal supplements into poultry nutrition programs. Despite the lack of significant effect on overall performance, noteworthy observations were made regarding the reproductive parameters of the hens. The number of growing ovarian follicles in the fennel group increased compared to the control (P<0.05). This increase in follicular development may be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in fennel, which are known to modulate hormonal activities and ovarian function in poultry. Enhanced follicular growth is crucial for improving egg production potential, suggesting that fennel may play a beneficial role in reproductive health. Additionally, the thickness of the granulosa layer in the ovaries of hens that received garlic and fennel groups was significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.05), indicating potential enhancements in reproductive health status. The granulosa cell layer is vital for the proper development and maturation of oocytes, as it provides necessary support and nutrients. An increase in granulosa layer thickness may contribute to better egg quality parameters.
Conclusion: The overall findings of the present study suggest for slowing down the process of reducing antioxidant capacity and consequently reducing fertility by using fennel and garlic extracts in the diet of laying hens. Further studies are required to clarify the effects of these extracts on laying hens. Also, a more detailed study of the molecular mechanisms and evaluation of the effects of these compounds on other fertility indicators can provide new insights for increasing reproductive performance in laying hens.
کلیدواژهها English
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