The liver and kidneys are important organs in the body. Poor liver and kidney health in laying hens can trigger a series of diseases, causing significant losses to farms. What are the specific functions of the liver and kidneys? What harm can impaired liver and kidney function cause? What is the importance of protecting the liver and kidneys? What are the ways to protect them? Below, we discuss these questions.
Liver and kidney functions in laying hens
I. Physiological functions of the liver
1. Metabolic functions of the liver
Carbohydrate metabolism: Starch and sugars in feed are digested and absorbed through the intestines, providing energy for laying hens.
Protein metabolism: The liver is the main organ responsible for synthesizing albumin in laying hens. The liver also participates in the production, maintenance, and regulation of globulins, enzyme proteins, and plasma proteins. Waste is also processed in the liver.
Lipid metabolism: Fat synthesis and release, fatty acid breakdown, cholesterol and phospholipid synthesis, and lipoprotein synthesis and transport all take place in the liver.
Vitamin metabolism: The synthesis and storage of many vitamins, such as A, B, C, D, and K, are carried out by the liver. Impaired liver function can lead to abnormal vitamin metabolism.
Hormone metabolism: The liver participates in the inactivation of hormones. Long-term liver damage can lead to an imbalance in sex hormones.
2. The liver's detoxification function
The liver is the body's primary detoxification organ. Harmful waste products, such as oxygen free radicals, produced during the body's metabolism, as well as foreign toxic substances, toxins, drugs, and their metabolic and breakdown products, are broken down and oxidized in the liver into nontoxic substances that are eliminated from the body.
3. The liver's digestive function
Bile produced and secreted by liver cells is transported through the bile ducts to the gallbladder. After being concentrated by the gallbladder, it is released into the small intestine, where it accelerates the digestion and absorption of fat.
4. The liver's blood-clotting function
Almost all clotting factors are produced by the liver. The liver plays an important regulatory role in the dynamic balance between the coagulation and anticoagulation systems. Liver failure is often accompanied by extensive bleeding and may even result in death.
5.Immune function of the liver
The liver is the main phagocytic system of the reticuloendothelial cells. It can engulf, isolate, and eliminate various invading and endogenous pathogenic bacteria and antigens.
The liver is an important gland in laying hens. It participates in functions such as metabolism, detoxification, blood coagulation, and immunity, and also plays a very important role in heat production and the regulation of water and electrolytes. It is a huge “chemical factory” in the laying hen. Once liver function declines or even fails, it directly affects the health of laying hens and may even lead to death.
Two. Physiological functions of the kidneys
1.Urine production and excretion of metabolic waste from the body
Laying hens produce various types of waste during metabolism. Most of this waste is filtered by the glomeruli and secreted by the renal tubules, then excreted from the body in urine to maintain the physiological balance of the internal environment.
2.Maintaining fluid balance and acid-base balance in the body
Through glomerular filtration and the absorption and secretion functions of the renal tubules, the kidneys excrete excess water from the body, regulate acid-base balance, and maintain the stability of the internal environment.
3. Endocrine function
① Secretes vasoactive substances (such as renin and kinins) to regulate blood pressure.
② Secretes erythropoietin (EPO) to promote hematopoiesis in the bone marrow.
③ Activates vitamin D3, regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and maintains the normal structure and function of bones.
④ Serves as a site for the degradation of many endocrine hormones, such as insulin and gastrointestinal hormones. When kidney function is impaired, metabolic disorders occur.
⑤ Serves as a target organ for hormones produced outside the kidneys, such as parathyroid hormone and calcitonin, which can affect and regulate kidney function.
In livestock production, once kidney disease develops, causing problems such as nephritis, kidney enlargement, and urate deposition, other parts of the laying hen's body will also be affected. As stated in human medicine, “When the kidneys are unhealthy, all the internal organs become ill.” If the kidneys are likened to a “boiler,” the “coal ash” (metabolites) produced after the body “burns” (metabolizes) substances must be discharged through the boiler. Once the “boiler” has a problem, waste cannot be eliminated; this not only damages the “boiler,” but also causes the entire system to collapse.
Effects of impaired liver and kidney function in laying hens
·Decreased immunity, reduced resistance to disease and stress, increased susceptibility to illness, and a high culling and mortality rate;
·Decline in reproductive function in laying hens, with a short or absent peak laying period, or a decrease in egg production rate;
·Poor appetite, with feed intake decreasing or fluctuating;
·Disrupted metabolism, dull feathers, and lethargy.
III. Significance of Liver and Kidney Health Care in Laying Hens
·The liver and kidneys share a common source; only by regulating them together can the body be strengthened and kept healthy;
·Maintain liver and kidney health to ensure the effective realization of production potential;
·Enhance liver function, eliminate various toxins and free radicals from the body, and maintain the vitality of laying hens;
·Strengthens kidney function, maintains physiological homeostasis in the body, and supports the health of laying hens.