Effects of dietary chlorogenic acid supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and liver lipid metabolism in late-peak laying hens

This investigation focused on the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant capacity, and liver lipid metabolism in late-peak laying hens. Two hundred forty 43-week-old Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly distributed into 4 treatments receiving 0, 400, 600, and 800 mg/kg CGA for twelve weeks. Egg production rate and average egg weight were significantly elevated with 600 and 800 mg/kg CGA relative to the control group. Significant improvements were also noted in the Haugh unit, albumen height, and yolk colour in both CGA groups, along with elevated levels of ovomucin in the albumen and lutein in the yolk. CGA at 600 and 800 mg/kg doses significantly reduced serum hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels, as well as hepatic malondialdehyde levels. Meanwhile, CGA treatment significantly upregulated hepatic Nrf2 and SOD2 gene expression while downregulating Keap1 gene expression. Additionally, 600 and 800 mg/kg CGA treatment significantly decreased serum TG, T-CHO, and LDL-C levels, as well as liver TG and T-CHO levels, while increasing serum lipoprotein lipase activity. Moreover, CGA treatment significantly decreased hepatocyte lipid droplet levels, along with a notable reduction in SREBP1, FASN, ACC, and DGAT2 gene expressions, and a significant upregulation in PPAR alpha, ACOX1, and CPT1 gene expressions. Our findings demonstrate that CGA can improve laying performance, egg quality, and antioxidant capacity, and reduce liver lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis and stimulating fatty acid oxidation in late-peak laying hens. A dietary supplement of 600-800 mg/kg CGA is recommended under the current experimental conditions.HIGHLIGHTSDietary supplementation CGA improved the laying performance, egg quality, and antioxidant capacity in the late-peak laying hens.CGA reduced hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibiting fatty acid synthesis and stimulating fatty acid oxidation.Under the current experimental conditions, a dietary supplemental level of 600-800 mg/kg CGA is recommended for laying hens.