Increased Diabetes Medication Use Boosts Chicken Egg Production
Metformin, a commonly used diabetes drug, showcases potential benefits in enhancing egg production and maintaining hormonal balance in older hens. Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have discovered that these benefits could be akin to the drug's effects on women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder accounting for 10-12% of reproductive-age women.
A controlled trial involving broiler breeder hens revealed that daily, small doses of metformin prompted the birds to lay significantly more fertile eggs, reduced their body fat, and improved their reproductive hormone levels compared to the control group [2][5]. This effect seems to mirror the medicine's benefits in women with PCOS, where it normalizes reproductive hormones and reduces metabolic issues like excess fat [5].
The researchers found that metformin influences the liver in hens, which is significant since the liver is crucial for reproduction, producing precursors for egg yolks. In hens treated with metformin, the drug switched on genes responsible for yolk protein production and blood sugar regulation while suppressing genes linked to fat buildup. This helped hens maintain a healthier metabolism and extended their egg-laying capacity beyond the usual age-related decline [1][2][4].
Improvements in metabolic health and hormone profiles contributed to sustained fertility and better egg production, effectively countering the decline typically observed in older hens [2][4]. This drug's abilities closely resemble its mechanism in women with PCOS, underscoring the value of its cross-species effects [5].
Metformin is rapidly metabolized by chickens and does not leave residues in eggs or meat, indicating that it can be safely used in poultry production without posing risks to the human food chain [4]. This approach could extend hens' productive lifespan, offering economic and welfare benefits to poultry farming [4]. In previous research, scientists discovered that metformin increases the lifespan of women.
The study's authors suggest that using metformin in poultry farming could boost production efficiency, improve animal health, and diminish waste [4]. The potential benefits of metformin in hens hold promise for further investigation in agricultural and reproductive biology [1][2][4][5].
- Given the potential benefits of metformin in enhancing egg production and maintaining hormonal balance in hens, it raises questions about its possible effects on medical-conditions like type-2-diabetes in women, considering its similarities in normalizing reproductive hormones.
- The impact of metformin on chronic-diseases is intriguing, as demonstrated by its effects on women with PCOS, where it reduces metabolic issues and improvements in health-and-wellness are observed.
- Research focusing on the use of metformin in poultry farming could have implications for womens-health, as this drug has been discovered to increase the lifespan of women in previous research.
- The findings from the use of metformin in hens could potentially lead to improvements in fitness-and-exercise and nutrition management for both hens and women, effectively contributing to better overall health and wellbeing.
