AUTHOR=Wang Xin , Liu Yang , Zhao Hao-Han , Wu Yong-Mei , Liu Chun-Jie , Duan Guang-Ying , Wang Yan-Zhou , Liu Tou-Ming , Huang Peng , Li Ying-Hui , Fan Zhi-Yong , Qiu Hua-Jiao , Zhu Si-Yuan , Lin Qian 

TITLE=Effects of Dietary Ramie Powder at Various Levels on the Production Performance, Serum Biochemical Indices, Antioxidative Capacity, and Intestinal Development of Laying Hens

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.823734

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.823734

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary ramie (0, 3, 6, 9%) on the production performance, antioxidative capacity, serum biochemical indices and intestinal development in laying hens. A total of 432 Lohmann commercial laying hens were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments and fed for 6 wk. The results showed that the inclusion of ramie had no negative effects on laying performance, and increased (quadratic, P<0.05) the laying rate with the highest value of laying rate in 6% ramie group. However, when ramie content in the diet up to 9%, it would affect the apparent metabolic energy of laying hens and the nutrient utilization rate of dry matter and organic matter. The content of serum highdensity lipoprotein (HDL-C) was increased (P<0.05) by ramie, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was decreased (P<0.05). Moreover, ramie could increase serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (P<0.05) and liver total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (P<0.05). The addition of ramie increased (P<0.05) villus height of jejunum and villus height/crypt depth (V/C) of ileum. In conclusion, ramie in a diet not more than 9% may lower blood lipid, protect the liver and improve antioxidative capacity without any negative impacts on health or laying performance; meanwhile, it could beneficially promote intestinal mucosal structure which has a positive impact on intestine health.