Dietary Vitamin E Ameliorate Production Performance Via Pyruvate Metabolism Regulation in An Aged Laying Quails

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to clarify the optimal amount of vitamin E required in the late stage of egg laying to explore the aging mechanism of the ovaries in this stage and the regulatory role of vitamin E in female reproductive aging using multiple experimental methods and multiomics joint analysis. METHODS: The development of follicles was analyzed using Hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine phosphate nick-end labeling staining. The content of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and Estradiol (E2) was determined by Enzyme-linked Immunoassay Kit. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RNA-seq and Untargeted metabolomics analyses were used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of vitamin E during ovarian aging. RESULTS: The findings revealed that quail reproductive organs rapidly aged at the 11th egg-laying month. Adding vitamin E to the diet significantly improved egg production performance. Vitamin E promoted the development of small yellow follicles by enhancing antioxidant capacity and inhibiting cell apoptosis. Furthermore, RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS identified genes and metabolites that may serve as biomarkers for vitamin E effects. CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation with 250 mg/kg vitamin E enhanced energy metabolism, regulated SOD and MDA levels, reduced apoptosis, stimulated E2 secretion, promoted follicular development, and improved egg production performance.