Influence of Dietary Vitamin Deficiencies on Reproductive Performance in Poultry
Keywords:
Poultry reproduction, Vitamin deficiency, Breeder chickens, Hatchability and fertility, Embryonic mortality.Abstract
Background: Vitamins play essential roles in poultry reproduction by supporting egg production, fertility, embryonic development, and hatchability. Both fat-soluble (A, D₃, E, K) and water-soluble vitamins (riboflavin, biotin, folic acid, B₁₂) are critical for maintaining reproductive efficiency. In developing poultry systems, inconsistent feed formulation and degradation of vitamin premixes may lead to suboptimal vitamin intake and impaired productivity.
Objective: This study evaluated the effects of graded dietary vitamin deficiencies on reproductive performance in breeder chickens under field conditions in Karbala, Iraq.
Methods: A total of 120 breeder chickens (28–40 weeks of age) were randomly allocated into three groups (n = 40 each): a control group receiving diets meeting or exceeding NRC recommendations, a moderate deficiency group receiving approximately 50% of recommended vitamin levels, and a severe deficiency group receiving approximately 25%. Key reproductive parameters, including egg production, fertility rate, hatchability, embryonic mortality, and egg weight, were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (p ≤ 0.05).
Results: Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed across all parameters. The control group showed the highest egg production (82.4%), fertility (86.7%), and hatchability (80.5%), along with the lowest embryonic mortality (6.4%). In contrast, the severe deficiency group exhibited marked reductions in egg production (63.5%), fertility (68.1%), and hatchability (60.3%), with a substantial increase in embryonic mortality (18.5%). A clear dose-dependent relationship was observed between vitamin deficiency severity and reproductive decline.
Conclusion: Dietary vitamin deficiencies significantly impair reproductive performance in breeder poultry in a dose-dependent manner. Ensuring adequate and consistent vitamin supplementation is essential to optimize productivity and reduce embryonic losses in commercial poultry systems.
References
1. Leeson S, Summers JD. Commercial poultry nutrition. Nottingham: Nottingham University Press; 2009.
2. McDowell LR. Vitamins in animal and human nutrition. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 2000.
3. National Research Council, Subcommittee on Poultry Nutrition. Nutrient requirements of poultry. Washington (DC): National Academies Press; 1994.
4. Robinson JJ. Nutrition and reproduction. Anim Reprod Sci. 1996;42(1-4):25-34.
5. Zang H, Zhang K, Ding X, Bai S, Hernandez JM, Yao B. Effects of different dietary vitamin combinations on the egg quality and vitamin deposition in the whole egg of laying hens. Braz J Poult Sci. 2011;13:189-196.
6. Shastak Y, Pelletier W. Nutritional balance matters: assessing the ramifications of vitamin A deficiency on poultry health and productivity. Poult. 2023;2(4):493-515.
7. Scott ML, Hill FW, Norris LC, Dobson DC, Nelson TS. Studies on vitamin E in poultry nutrition. J Nutr. 1955;56(3):387-402.
8. Amevor FK, Cui Z, Du X, Feng J, Shu G, Ning Z, Xu D, Deng X, Song W, Wu Y, Cao X, Wei S, He J, Kong F, Du X, Tian Y, Karikari B, Li D, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Zhu Q and Zhao X (2022) Synergy of Dietary Quercetin and Vitamin E Improves Cecal Microbiota and Its Metabolite Profile in Aged Breeder Hens. Front. Microbiol. 13:851459. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.851459.
9. Klasing KC. Comparative avian nutrition. Wallingford: CAB International; 1998.
10. Genç B. Vitamins in broiler nutrition. In: Vitamins and minerals in poultry. 2024. p.243.
11. Whitehead CC. Overview of bone biology in the egg-laying hen. Poult Sci. 2004;83(2):193-199.
12. Almirall J, Lopez T, Comerma I, Garcia E, Marques G, Arden NK, et al. Mineral metabolism. Nephron. 2002; 92:495-496.
13. Bar A. Calcium homeostasis and vitamin D metabolism and expression in strongly calcifying laying birds. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol. 2008;151(4):477-490.
14. Surai PF. Natural antioxidants in avian nutrition and reproduction. Nottingham: Nottingham University Press; 2002.
15. Surai PF, Fisinin VI. Selenium in poultry breeder nutrition: An update. Anim Feed Sci Technol. 2014; 191:1-15.
16. Griminger P. Vitamin K activity in chickens: phylloquinone and menadione in the presence of stress agents. J Nutr. 1965;87(3):337-343.
17. Carpenter KJ. A short history of nutritional science: part 3 (1912–1944). J Nutr. 2003;133(10):3023-3032.
18. Olkowski AA, Classen HL. The study of riboflavin requirement in broiler chickens. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1998;68(5):316-327.
19. Poultry Research Foundation, World’s Poultry Science Association (Australian Branch). Proceedings of the 26th Annual Australian Poultry Science Symposium; 2015 Feb 9–11; Sydney, NSW, Australia. Sydney: University of Sydney; 2015.
20. Whitehead CC, Pearson RA, Herron KM. Biotin requirements of broiler breeders fed diets of different protein content and effect of insufficient biotin on the viability of progeny. Br Poult Sci. 1985;26(1):73-82.
21. Watkins BA, Kratzer FH. Tissue lipid fatty acid composition of biotin-adequate and biotin-deficient chicks. Poult Sci. 1987;66(2):306-313.
22. Butterworth CE Jr, Tamura T. Folic acid safety and toxicity: a brief review. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;50(2):353-358.
23. Huang S, Baurhoo B, Mustafa A. Effects of extruded flaxseed on layer performance, nutrient retention and yolk fatty acid composition. Br Poult Sci. 2018;59(4):463-469.
24. Berg LR, Bearse GE, McGinnis J, McClary CF. Vitamin B12 in the nutrition of the laying hen. Poult Sci. 1952;31(3):488-496.
25. Pesti GM, Bakalli RI. Studies on the feeding of cupric sulfate pentahydrate and cupric citrate to broiler chickens. Poult Sci. 1996;75(9):1086-1091.
26. Biagini L, Galosi L, Roncarati A, Attili AR, Mangiaterra S, Rossi G. The role of nutraceuticals and phytonutrients in chickens’ gastrointestinal diseases. Animals. 2022;12(7):892.
27. Wang C, Wang BW, Ge WH, Zhang M, Yue B, Zhang KL. Effects of vitamin B6 on growth performance, slaughter performance and protein metabolism of Wulong geese aged from 1 to 4 weeks. Chin J Anim Nutr. 2014;26(7):1814-1821.
28. Surai PF, Kochish II, Fisinin VI, Kidd MT. Antioxidant defence systems and oxidative stress in poultry biology: An update. Antioxidants. 2019;8(7):235.
29. Angel R, Saylor WW, Mitchell AD, Powers W, Applegate TJ. Effect of dietary phosphorus, phytase, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on broiler chicken bone mineralization, litter phosphorus, and processing yields. Poult Sci. 2006;85(7):1200-1211.
30. Fasenko GM. Egg storage and the embryo. Poult Sci. 2007;86(5):1020-1024.
31. Urso UR, Dahlke F, Maiorka A, Bueno IJ, Schneider AF, Surek D, Rocha C. Vitamin E and selenium in broiler breeder diets: effect on live performance, hatching process, and chick quality. Poult Sci. 2015;94(5):976-983.
32. Combs GF Jr, McClung JP. The vitamins: fundamental aspects in nutrition and health. San Diego: Academic Press; 2016.
33. Applegate TJ. The effect of breeder hen age on reproductive characteristics and subsequent embryo and hatchling development and growth of turkeys and Pekin ducks. Columbus (OH): The Ohio State University; 1999.
34. Yi W, Huang Q, Liu Y, Fu S, Shan T. Effects of dietary multienzymes on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, nutrient digestibility, excreta noxious gas emission, and nutrient transporter gene expression in white feather broilers. J Anim Sci. 2024;102: skae133.
35. Naber EC. The effect of nutrition on the composition of eggs. Poult Sci. 1979;58(3):518-528.
36. Pappas AC, Acamovic T, Sparks NH, Surai PF, McDevitt RM. Effects of supplementing broiler breeder diets with organic selenium and polyunsaturated fatty acids on egg quality during storage. Poult Sci. 2005;84(6):865-874.
37. Surai PF. Effect of selenium and vitamin E content of the maternal diet on the antioxidant system of the yolk and the developing chick. Br Poult Sci. 2000;41(2):235-243.
38. Kadhim Saleh Kadhim. Efficacy of Different Medicinal Herbs As Feed Additives on the Meat Composition and Economical Evaluation of Broiler Chicken. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2024, 2 (1), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.59675/V213U.
39. Harith M. Jawad; Yasser J. Jameel. Effects of Whole Flaxseed in Reduced Energy Diets on Broiler Chickens Meat Quality and Carcass Characteristics Under Heat Stress Condition. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2024, 2 (2), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.59675/V226.
40. Ali Oqab Yousif; Yasser J. Jameel; Ali J. AL-Nuaimi. Effects of Organic Zinc and Probiotic on Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Under Heat Stress Conditions. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2025, 3 (1), 54-58. https://doi.org/10.59675/V317.
41. Miaad N. Obaid; Yasser J. Jameel. Effects of Whole Flaxseed on Productive Performance and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2023, 1 (1), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.59675/V118.
42. Sara S. Haylan; Yasser J. Jameel; Latif I. Kadhim. Influence of Zinc and Probiotics on Productive Performance, Immune Response and Mineral Content in Muscle of Broiler Chickens. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2023, 1 (1), 15-21. https://doi.org/10.59675/V114.
43. Sara S. Haylan; Yasser J. Jameel; Latif I. Kadhim. Effects of Zinc and Probiotic on The Small Intestine and Carcass Characterization of Broiler Chickens. Aca. Intl. J. V. Med. 2023, 1 (1), 22-28. https://doi.org/10.59675/V115.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 ANIMAL HEALTH
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
