One of the primary mechanisms through which heat stress negatively impacts poultry is the activation of the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation in the gut can lead to impaired nutrient absorption and digestive capacity, reducing feed efficiency and weight gain. Additionally, heat stress causes physiological changes such as increased respiration rates, altered blood circulation, and hormone imbalances, which further inhibit optimal production.
R&D Director
NUQO Feed Additives
Heat stress is a significant challenge for the poultry industry, with considerable economic consequences. As temperatures rise, poultry experience physiological changes that can compromise their health and productivity. Heat stress leads to increased inflammation and metabolic disorders, which adversely affect the digestive system and reduce feed intake, ultimately diminishing growth and performance.
One of the primary mechanisms through which heat stress negatively impacts poultry is the activation of the body’s inflammatory response. Inflammation in the gut can lead to impaired nutrient absorption and digestive capacity, reducing feed efficiency and weight gain. Additionally, heat stress causes physiological changes such as increased respiration rates, altered blood circulation, and hormone imbalances, which further inhibit optimal production. The result is a loss of profitability for poultry farmers due to reduced growth rates, lower feed conversion ratios (FCR), and, in extreme cases, increased mortality rates.
AN ADVANCED YET SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR HEAT STRESS PREVENTION
Nuqo RED is a cutting-edge feed additive designed to mitigate the detrimental effects of heat stress on poultry. This new hybrid technology is based on micro-encapsulation of capsaicin, the active molecule in chili peppers, known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin is an effective molecule that helps regulate inflammation, but its high irritancy has traditionally made it difficult to use in feed formulations.
To overcome this challenge, Nuqo developed a unique encapsulation technology that ensures the safe use of capsaicin. Nuqo RED encapsulates the capsaicinoids in a fat-based coating, preserving their activity while minimizing the risk of irritation for operators and animals. In addition, this technology ensures that capsaicin reaches the small intestine in its active form to act on specific gut receptors, the TRPV1 receptors. The result is a highly efficient and user-friendly product that reduces inflammation, enhances thermoregulation, and improves overall performance during heat stress.
A CLEAR AND PROVEN MODE OF ACTION AGAINST INFLAMMATION
The key mechanism of action of Nuqo RED is its ability to modulate the TRPV1 receptors, which are involved in the body’s response to heat stress. TRPV1 receptors play a critical role in detecting harmful heat levels and initiating inflammatory responses. By desensitizing these receptors, capsaicin reduces the inflammatory response and supports the body’s natural ability to cope with heat stress.
When TRPV1 receptors are desensitized, the inflammatory response is dampened, leading to improved gut morphology and better nutrient absorption. Moreover, desensitization helps the animals better acclimate to heat stress, rather than hindering their thermoregulation ability. This unique action helps maintain performance even during extreme temperatures, allowing poultry to continue to grow and produce efficiently.
Additionally, Nuqo RED’s micro-encapsulation technology ensures that the capsaicinoids are delivered in a controlled and efficient manner, enhancing the product’s bioavailability and stability. This makes Nuqo RED a reliable solution for heat stress management in poultry farming.
EXTENSIVE SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT: PROVEN THROUGH MULTIPLE TRIALS
Anti-Inflammatory Effects in vitro
An in-vitro study conducted at the University of Wels, Austria, assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of Nuqo RED. The trial involved challenging macrophages with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to induce an inflammatory response. The results demonstrated that Nuqo RED effectively reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), compared to the LPS control group. The highest anti-inflammatory efficacy was observed at 50 ppm, confirming Nuqo RED’s ability to modulate inflammation and support better gut health during stress conditions.
Performance and Stress Level Improvement in Broilers
A comprehensive trial conducted at Ridgeway Research under the supervision of Dr. Maggie Fisher evaluated the effects of Nuqo RED on broiler chickens subjected to heat stress. The study involved four treatment groups, including a thermoneutral control (TN-C), a heat-stress control (HS-C), and two groups supplemented with Nuqo RED at different doses (50 ppm and 150 ppm).
Results showed that broilers fed with Nuqo RED at 50 ppm showed improved feed intake (ADFI) and weight gain (ADG), recovering about half of the weight gain compared to the TN-C group. The highest improvement in performance was observed in birds fed with Nuqo RED at 150 ppm, which achieved feed intake levels comparable to the TN-C group and the best weight gain of all treatments. Additionally, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved by 1.3% in the 150 ppm group, showing a clear dose-dependent effect.
Moreover, the trial also measured stress biomarkers such as heat shock protein (HSP70) in liver tissue and levels of corticosterone and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) in blood samples. While there was no significant difference in GSH-Px level in this trial, Nuqo RED at 150 ppm significantly reduced the HSP70 levels as compared to the Heat-stress control, indicating a lower stress level in the birds.. These results suggest that Nuqo RED not only improves performance under heat stress but also helps mitigate the physiological impact of stress on poultry.
Comparison with Competitor Product in Layers
A third trial conducted at the Applied Animal Research Centre of Yucatan, Mexico, tested Nuqo RED in laying hens under natural heat stress conditions. The results showed that Nuqo RED at 150 ppm improved the feed intake, laying performance and feed efficiency of the hens compared to a competitor phytogenic product with claims of anti-inflammatory properties. This trial further confirmed the efficacy of Nuqo RED in managing heat stress in poultry and demonstrated its superior performance over other heat stress management solutions.
THE IDEAL SOLUTION FOR RED ALERT HEAT STRESS SITUATIONS
In conclusion, Nuqo RED has proven to be a highly effective tool for mitigating the negative impacts of heat stress on poultry performance. Its unique micro-encapsulation technology allows for the safe and efficient delivery of capsaicinoids, which helps reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and enhance thermoregulation.
The results from the three trials demonstrate that Nuqo RED not only improves performance metrics such as feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio but also reduces stress levels in poultry during heat stress. Moreover, its dose-dependent effects provide flexibility for farmers to tailor the supplementation to their specific needs.
By incorporating Nuqo RED into poultry diets, farmers can ensure better growth, feed efficiency, and overall profitability, even under challenging heat stress conditions. With its proven efficacy and complementary modes of action, Nuqo RED is an essential tool for maintaining poultry performance and optimizing farm operations during periods of heat stress.
About Dr. Stephanie Ladirat
Dr. Stephanie Ladirat is the technology director at NUQO. She obtained her MSc degree in Food Technology with a specialization in Food Ingredient and Functionality and her PhD degree in Food Chemistry from Wageningen University (The Netherlands). During her PhD thesis, she studied in depth the human gut microbiota composition and its modulation upon prebiotic supplementation and/or antibiotic treatments. From 2014 till 2020, she worked at Cargill Animal Nutrition, first as technology lead for gut health additives and, then, as swine portfolio manager. She provided global technical product support for a broad range of products (phytogenics, organic acids, short and medium chain fatty acids, probiotics) and trained technical and sales teams. She most recently managed R&D projects and developed innovative feed additive solutions to answer specific customer needs related to animal gut health and performance.
