Modulatory effects of lycopene and vitamin E on cloacal temperature, thyroid hormonal and reproductive performance responses in laying hens during the hot-dry season

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of lycopene and vitamin E on cloacal temperature (CT), thyroid hormones and performance indices in laying hens (Gallus domesticus) during the hot-dry season. The dry-bulb temperature and temperature-humidity index in the pen and CT were measured in all hens twice weekly and thyroid hormones for five consecutive weeks. Ovarian and follicular activities were assessed at the end of the study after slaughter. The CT values in control hens at 09:00 h, 12:00 h and 15:00 h (41.20 ± 0.07 °C, 41.84 ± 1.8 °C and 42.1 ± 1.1 °C, respectively) were higher (P < 0.05), compared to the corresponding values recorded in lycopene (41.50 ± 0.07 °C, 41.50 ± 0.07 °C and 41.73 ± 0.08 °C, respectively), and lycopene + vitamin E (41.31 ± 0.07 °C, 41.40 ± 0.05 °C and 41.63 ± 0.09 °C, respectively). In lycopene + vitamin E laying hens, plasma thyroxine concentration (15.22 ± 1.74 nmol/L) was greater (P < 0.05) than in lycopene (7.64 ± 0.8 nmol/L), vitamin E hens (6.80 ± 1.3 nmol/L) and controls (6.5 ± 0.9 °C nmol/L). Plasma triiodothyronine concentration was highest (P < 0.05) in lycopene + vitamin E (4.80 ± 0.37 nmol/L), compared to lycopene (3.42 ± 0.4 nmol/L), vitamin E (1.96 ± 0.2 nmol/L) and control (1.2 ± 0.1 nmol/L) laying hens. Lycopene + vitamin E hens recorded higher (P < 0.05) count of preovulatory follicles (6.0 ± 0.2) than the controls (4.5 ± 0.3). Countable white follicles were higher (P < 0.05) in lycopene + vitamin E and lycopene hens (58.0 ± 1.4 and 48.5 ± 0.5, respectively) than controls (33.0 ± 2.5). In conclusion, lycopene and vitamin E, especially their combination, modulated the heat stress-induced responses in the laying hens by decreasing CT values, and increasing thyroid hormone concentrations, the count of hierarchical preovulatory and white ovarian follicles during the hot-dry season.