ISSUE FOCUS 34 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2023 Moreover, the balanced polyphenolic mixture enabled a more efficient egg production during phase 2 of lay, by reducing the feed conversion ratio. Over the entire trial, hens from the 0.5 and 1 kg/t ELIFE® treatment groups showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction of resp. 10 and 13 points versus hens from the control (Figure 3). All this, presumably, by strongly alleviating the level of cellular oxidative stress and thus body tissue damage within these high-performing hens (i.e. fewer nutrient losses). BENEFITS BEYOND LAYING PERFORMANCE Next to hindering egg production, oxidative stress also leads to a suboptimal egg quality. This was illustrated in the same trial by an improved overall egg quality, especially at the highest ELIFE® dosage. Firstly, eggshell strength was significantly (p < 0.05) improved (Figure 4). This most probably can be explained by a better neutralization of inflammation-inducing ROS, which are omnipresent in the gut. In other words, ELIFE® allowed for a higher integrity of epithelial cells on the intestinal villi, and thus improved the absorption of dietary calcium. Secondly, the level of yolk Vit. E (antioxidant capacity) was drastically increased by 53 % (p = 0.1208), thus also contributing to a higher nutritive value for consumption (Figure 5). Finally, at this same dosage of 1 kg/t, the sampled eggs displayed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in yolk TBARS level, which indicated less lipid peroxidation or an improved shelf life (Figure 6). This last finding was in line with the yolk ROS level, which was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by 49.1 % at the 1 kg/t ELIFE® antioxidant dosage. CONCLUSIONS The body tissues of adult layers, especially the digestive and reproductive organs, are considerably affected under conditions of oxidative stress, induced by factors such as heat stress or a high metabolic rate. This leads to several metabolic losses in the laying hen and thus a suboptimal egg performance for farmers, but also an impaired egg quality for processors and end consumers. However, treating the diet of hens with ELIFE® natural antioxidant blend during phase 2 of lay, has shown to maxiFigure 5. Level of α-tocopherol (antioxidant capacity) in egg yolk (a,b at p<0.0.5) Figure 6. Level of Malondialdehyde (oxidative status) in egg yolk (a,b at p<0.05) Figure 4. Eggshell strength for the different experimental groups (a,b at p<0.05) Figure 3. Feed Conversion Ratio across the supplementation trial (a,b at p<0.05)
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