Effect of dietary levels of arginine on mycotoxin contaminated feed on laying hens

A total of 240 Hy-Line Brown laying hens with similar body weights of 1.89± 0.12 kg at 24 weeks old were randomly divided into 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 10-layer hens per replicate. The treatments are (1) 1.1% arginine (Arg) without toxin (Arg1 / CON).  (2) 1.1% Arg with a toxin (Arg2), (3) 1.2% Arg with a toxin (Arg3), (4) 1.3% Arg with a toxin (Arg4). In the results, there was a tendency (p=0.063) towards higher egg mass in Arg1, Arg3 and Arg4 compared with Arg2. There was also a tendency (p=0.092) towards higher yolk color in Arg1, Arg3 and Arg4 compared with Arg2. A tendency (p=0.053) towards lower liver weight was observed in Arg1, Arg3 and Arg4 compared with Arg2. A tendency (p=0.063) towards higher villus height in the duodenum was observed in ARG1, ARG3 and Arg4 compared with Arg2. Interleukin (IL)-6 was higher (p<0.05) in Arg2, Arg3 and Arg4 compared with Arg1, while the interferon (IFN)-γ was higher (p<0.05) in Arg2 compared with Arg4 and Arg1 in the liver. The toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and tumor necrosis factor α were higher (p<0.05) in Arg2 compared with Arg3, Arg4, and Arg1. In the muscle, the IL4 was higher (p<0.05) in Arg2, Arg3 and Arg4 compared with Arg1. The IL6 was higher (p<0.05) in the Arg2 and Arg4 compared with Arg1. The IFNγ was higher (p<0.05) in Arg2 and Arg3 compared with Arg1, and TLR4 was higher (p<0.05) in Arg3 compared with Arg1. In the jejunum, Toll-like receptor 4 was higher (p<0.05) in Arg2 compared with Arg3 and Arg1. The incorporation of Arg in diets of laying hens at 1.1% without mycotoxin, as well as 1.2% and 1.3% in mycotoxin-contaminated diets, could improve the performance and health of laying hens.