Optimal dietary vitamin B1 content enhanced egg production, eggshell thickness, and serum antioxidant status in breeder geese

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin B1 (VB1) supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, and nutrient digestion in breeder geese. A total of 150 geese (30 males and 120 females, aged 34 weeks) were randomly assigned to 6 dietary treatment groups, each 5 replicates of 5 birds (1 male and 4 females). The geese were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mg/kg of VB1 for 10 weeks. VB1 supplementation had no significant effects on average feed intake, average egg weight, feed-to-egg ratio, egg shape index, eggshell strength, protein height, and Haugh unit (P > 0.05). However, it increased egg-laying rate, eggshell thickness, and yolk color (P < 0.05) in a quadratic manner, with the maximum values observed at 2 mg/kg VB1. Supplementing 2 mg/kg VB1 reduced serum aspartate transaminase activity (P < 0.05), but did not affect serum alanine transaminase activity, lipid and protein concentrations (P > 0.05). Serum glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase activities were enhanced by VB1 supplementation (P < 0.05), while total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentration remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Additionally, VB1 supplementation at 2 mg/kg increased crude ash digestibility, but did not affect the digestibility of ether extract, crude protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Dietary supplementing VB1 improved egg-laying performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, and mineral absorption in breeder geese. The optimal dietary VB1 concentration ranged from 3.83 to 4.81 mg/kg for improving egg production and quality, while higher concentrations of 4.99 to 6.51 mg/kg were needed to boost serum antioxidant status.