Effect of induced molting on bone remodeling in laying hens

BACKGROUND: Enhancing bone quality is crucial for the health and productivity of laying hens. Fasting is a known way to cause physiological changes in layer hens, but research on skeletal changes during molting is still limited. RESULTS: This study used a fasting-induced model to assess phenotypic changes and systematically investigate bone resorption and remodeling through transcriptomic analysis. During this process, serum phosphorus, ALP, PTH, and E2 levels in the resumption of feeding were significantly higher than in other groups, with BMC in the resumption of feeding also being significantly elevated. Further transcriptome sequencing of the tibia at different periods was conducted, and many differentially expressed genes, such as CCK, SHH, ENDRB, FZD4, AGT, and TRPM1, were identified. Key signaling pathways involved in bone development, such as the Wnt/β-catenin and calcium signaling pathways, were also determined. CONCLUSION: This adaptive response of fasting followed by refeeding helps improve bone quality in laying hens during the late laying period.