Laying hens have high calcium requirements, a mineral essential to form the eggshell. If calcium absorption in the intestines is not optimal, requirements are not met, and the bone is used as a source of calcium. The use of calcium from the bones can lead to different problems, such as decreased eggshell quality (broken eggs) and cage fatigue syndrome. It is essential to enhance calcium absorption in the digestive tract to prevent eggshell and skeletal problems.

Mineral conditioner pronutrients are active molecules from plant extracts that physiologically enhance mineral absorption in the intestines. In laying hens, they help to maintain bone quality and reduce the percentage of broken eggs by increasing eggshell quality.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of mineral conditioner pronutrients on eggshell quality, blood mineral levels and bone morphology in laying hens.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

18 white Leghorn hens of 300 days of age were distributed in two groups:

1. Control: standard basal diet (SBD)
2. Treatment: SBD with mineral conditioner pronutrients at 0.5 kg/t of feed during all the trial

Eggshell quality, serum samples and bone quality parameters were evaluated after 5 and 10 weeks of the beginning of the trial.

RESULTS

Eggshell thickness remained higher (+1%) in the group treated with pronutrients, which started with lower values, compared to the control (chart 1). In the control, eggshell thickness decreased more markedly throughout the trial.

Eggshell percentage also increased in the group with pronutrients and was 2.7% higher than the control at the end of the trial (chart 2).

Mineral conditioner pronutrients increased calcium and phosphorus concentration in serum by 9% and 35.2% respectively. This is indicative of greater absorption of these components in the digestive tract and less bone resorption.

Besides, the group with pronutrients showed higher serum concentration of 17β-estradiol (+11.6%), a hormone related to calcium metabolism, bone quality and egg production.

The following parameters were evaluated to study hens’ bone morphology:

• Whole bone mineral density (BMD):
• Cortical BMD: hard outer layer of the bone that contributes to bone hardness.
• Medullary bone/bone marrow ratio: which increases with age.
• Trabecular and Medullary BMD:
• Osteoclasts per medullary bone surface: they reabsorb medullary bone and supply calcium to form the eggshell.

Results showed that pronutrients increased whole BMD (+3.3%), cortical BMD (+3.7%), and trabecular and medullary bone BMD (1.6%).  This means that mineral density and bone hardness was higher in the treatment group.

Medullary bone/bone marrow ratio

Finally, the number of osteoclasts per medullary bone surface was 13.7% lower with pronutrients, which indicates that they prevented bone resorption and the use of calcium from the bones, due to greater mineral absorption in the intestines.

CONCLUSIONS

Mineral conditioner pronutrients in laying hens help to maintain good eggshell thickness (+1%) and percentage (+2.7%), related to less broken eggs.

They also increase the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in serum by 9% and 35%, which are indicative of greater mineral absorption in the intestines and, therefore, greater mineral supply from the diet.

The enhance in mineral absorption helps to maintain bone quality, which was observed as an increase in bone density and bone hardness, and a decrease in bone destruction (osteoclasts per bone surface).

In conclusion, mineral conditioner pronutrients enhance mineral absorption, reduce the use of calcium from the bones and, therefore, prevent disorders such as cage fatigue syndrome.

Mineral conditioner pronutrients are marketed by Biovet S.A. under the commercial name Alquernat Magacal.