Dynamic synergistic interplay between ovarian antioxidant defense and angiogenesis sustains high egg production in laying hens.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Follicular development in laying hens requires a balance between angiogenesis and redox status, yet their synergistic interplay across different production levels and physiological stages remains unclear. This study compared high-production (HP) and low-production (LP) hens at 50 and 75 weeks of age using morphological, antioxidant, angiogenic, and transcriptomic analyses. An acute tBHP-induced oxidative stress model was further employed to elucidate the temporal coupling between these systems. RESULTS: HP hens exhibited significantly superior laying rate and FCR compared to LP hens at both 50 and 75 weeks. Morphologically, HP ovaries featured more hierarchical follicles, denser vascular networks, and reduced senescence (β-galactosidase) and apoptotic (TUNEL) signals. Mechanistically, HP ovaries showed significantly enhanced antioxidant capacity (increased T-AOC, GSH, and SOD; decreased MDA) and upregulated expression of antioxidant genes (e.g., NOX1, SOD3, HSPB1). Concurrently, HP ovaries displayed dense CD31-positive microvascular signaling, with significantly higher protein levels of VEGF and ANGPT1. Similarly, gene expression (e.g., VEGFA, KDR, ANGPT1, and ITGA5) was upregulated. Transcriptomic profiling revealed a functional transition: differentially expressed genes at 50 weeks were primarily enriched in immune and metabolic pathways, whereas at 75 weeks, enrichment shifted to extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis. Co-enrichment analysis identified p53, FoxO, and VEGF as core regulatory pathways, highlighting ITGA5 and HSPB1 as key nodal genes. Finally, the tBHP challenge significantly increased ovarian ROS, triggering a synchronous, compensatory upregulation of antioxidant (NRF2, HIF1α) and angiogenic (VEGF, ANGPT1) factors. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a synergistic antioxidant-angiogenesis axis is a critical mechanism supporting sustained high yield, offering theoretical insights for optimizing the ovarian microenvironment and extending the productive lifespan of laying hens.

Key Findings

• High-production hens exhibited enhanced antioxidant capacity with increased T-AOC, GSH, and SOD, and decreased MDA levels in ovaries.
• HP ovaries showed upregulated expression of antioxidant genes including NOX1, SOD3, and HSPB1, alongside increased angiogenic factors VEGF and ANGPT1.
• Oxidative stress induced by tBHP triggered synchronous upregulation of antioxidant (NRF2, HIF1α) and angiogenic (VEGF, ANGPT1) pathways, indicating a compensatory mechanism.

Clinical Significance

Citation

Qin Kailong, Gao Minglu, Liu Xiaoyinget al.. Dynamic synergistic interplay between ovarian antioxidant defense and angiogenesis sustains high egg production in laying hens. Journal of animal science and biotechnology. 2026-May-03.