Document Type : Research Articles
Authors
1
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran
2
Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran
3
Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
4
5Student Research Committee, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran
10.22067/ijasr.2025.93284.1246
Abstract
Introduction: Garlic (Allium sativum) is a well-known aromatic herb that has been used for centuries due to its therapeutic properties, primarily attributed to its bioactive compounds such as allicin. These compounds have been shown to support immune function, reduce oxidative stress, and improve overall health in poultry. Similarly, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), an aromatic perennial herb from the Apiaceae family, is valued for its seeds containing antioxidants and phytoestrogens that can 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. Scientific research has demonstrated that supplementation with garlic and fennel extracts can significantly improve productive parameters, including egg production and reproductive health. 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 could 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 farming practices.
Material and methods: In this study, six layer breeders of the Hy-Line W80 strain in Sixty-five weeks of age were allocated into three treatment groups, with Five replicates and four hens per replicate. The experimental treatments included: 1- Control (corn, soy bean meal) 2- Control + 400 mg/kg diet of dried fennel extract 3- Control + 400 mg/kg diet of dried garlic extract. The experimental treatments were managed for 10 weeks, and performance traits such as feed intake, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, and egg mass were evaluated as a 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 treatment were euthanized and the ovarian and magnum tissues were fixed in formalin for microscopic 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 Graph Pad Prism software.
Results and Discussion: The results indicated that garlic and fennel extracts did not have a significant effect on the performance of laying hen breeders (P>0.05). These results 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, dosages, or the specific strains of poultry used in different studies, highlighting the complexity of integrating herbal supplements into poultry nutrition.
Despite the lack of significant effect on overall performance, noteworthy observations were made regarding the reproductive parameters of the hens. The number of growing follicles in the fennel treatment increased compared to the control (P<0.05). This increase in follicular development could be attributed to the bioactive compounds present in fennel, which are known to influence 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 treatments was significantly higher compared to the control group (P<0.05), indicating potential enhancements in reproductive health. The granulosa 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.
Conclusions: The overall findings of the present study can be a suggestion 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. In future, more research is needed to clarify the effect of the extracts in 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 paths for increasing reproductive performance in laying hens.
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