Effects of Dietary Activated Charcoal Supplementation on Performance, Egg Quality, and Bone Calcification in Laying Hens Exposed to High Fluoride
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/jpn.70075
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: activated charcoal, bone histology, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, eggshell quality, fluorosis, laying hens
- Atatürk Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of high dietary fluoride intake on performance, egg quality, serum biochemical parameters, bone tissue, mineral accumulation, and the expression of selected mineralisation-related genes in laying hens, and to evaluate whether these effects could be alleviated by dietary activated charcoal supplementation. A total of 180 Hy-Line Brown laying hens were allocated to six groups: a control group and experimental groups receiving diets supplemented with sodium fluoride (1200 mg/kg), activated charcoal (0.35% or 0.70%), or combinations of these additives. Performance parameters and egg quality traits were recorded throughout the experimental period, while serum biochemical parameters were analysed at the end of the experiment. Tibial bone samples were evaluated by histological and histomorphometric methods, and calcium and phosphorus concentrations were determined in tibial bone and eggshell samples. In addition, mRNA expression levels of the mineralisation-related genes Oc-116, Opg, and Rankl were analysed in uterine and sternal tissues. Dietary sodium fluoride supplementation reduced feed intake and egg production, impaired eggshell quality, induced histological and histomorphometric alterations in the tibia, and increased calcium and phosphorus accumulation in bone tissue, accompanied by upregulation of Oc-116 and Rankl mRNA expression. The effects of activated charcoal were dose-dependent and non-linear. Supplementation with 0.35% activated charcoal partially restored feed intake, egg production, and feed conversion ratio, limited histological deterioration in bone, and attenuated the fluoride-induced shift in the Rankl/Opg axis. In contrast, 0.70% activated charcoal suppressed eggshell calcium content and Oc-116 expression while increasing Opg and Rankl levels. These findings indicate that activated charcoal may serve as a supportive dietary additive under high-dose fluoride exposure, with 0.35% emerging as the more favourable inclusion level, whereas higher doses may adversely affect mineral bioavailability and eggshell formation.