The effects of Vitamin C on reproductive performance in breeding poultry and sows

Blog post description.

1/13/20261 min read

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays a significant role in enhancing reproductive performance in both breeding poultry and sows. In poultry, supplementation of vitamin C has been shown to improve egg production, hatchability, and embryo viability by supporting oxidative stress reduction and immune function (Kumar et al., 2018). It also enhances ovarian follicle development and stabilizes hormonal balance, leading to better reproductive outcomes (Ahmed et al., 2019). Similarly, in sows, vitamin C supplementation during gestation has been associated with increased litter size, improved piglet survival rates, and enhanced milk production (Gao et al., 2020). Vitamin C contributes to collagen synthesis, which is vital for uterine health and foetal development (Kumar et al., 2018). Additionally, it mitigates oxidative stress during pregnancy, thereby reducing embryonic mortality and improving overall reproductive efficiency (Gao et al., 2020). Stress factors such as heat stress can impair reproduction, but vitamin C supplementation has been shown to alleviate these effects by supporting immune responses (Yao et al., 2017). In poultry, vitamin C has also been linked to improved semen quality and fertility in breeding males (Saleh et al., 2021). The antioxidant properties of vitamin C help maintain cellular integrity in reproductive tissues, contributing to better fertility outcomes (Ahmed et al., 2019). Vitamin C supplementation appears to be a beneficial strategy to enhance reproductive performance in breeding poultry and sows, especially under stress conditions (Gao et al., 2020).

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