Research Progress on Curcumin Metabolism and Regulation on Reproductive Performance in Poultry

Abstract

Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of ginger plant turmeric and Araceae plant, which is mainly absorbed and metabolized in the intestine, and has the effects of anti-inflammation, antioxidation, antiapoptosis, anti-aging, neuroprotection, immune regulation and metabolic regulation. Curcumin has poor bioavailability in thebody. In order to improve the utilization, it is made into a variety of preparations and matching types, including membrane preparations, fiber preparations, dairy preparations, hydrogel preparations, piperin, semiterpenoids, cyclodextrin, fenugreek dietary fiber, lecithin, and etc. Different preparations and matching types will increase the stability of curcumin products, which can ensure the effective utilization of curcumin. Reproductive regulation in poultry mainly relys on the negative feedback regulation mechanism of the hypothalamic-gonadal axis (HPG axis) to maintain germ cell development. In addition, reproductive performance is susceptible to external conditions, with light having the greatest influence. Melatonin produced by light stimulation has strong antioxidant properties, which can inhibit apoptosis and aging by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction of ovarian and testicular tissues, and ensure the stability of negative feedback regulatory mechanism of HPG and follicle development under oxidative stress. Serotonin in gut microbiome is a precursor to melatonin, and it can affect the production of melatonin; furthermore, intestinal microbes stimulate afferent nerves in intestinal epithelial cells to directly affect the hypothalamus secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and finally, estradiol (E2) produced in the intestine can enter the ovarian tissue through the blood and promote ovarian development. Studies have found that curcumin can play a functional role in vivo through short-chain fatty acids produced by intestinal microorganisms, however, whether curcumin affects the reproductive performance of poultry through short-chain fatty acids produced by intestinal microorganisms needs to be explored urgently. In the study, the biological activity, metabolism mode, product development and utilization, and mechanism of action of curcumin reproduction regulation in poultry and related research progress are reviewed, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for the rational application of curcumin as a feed additive in poultry production.

Keywords

• curcumin
• poultry
• absorption and metabolism
• reproductive regulation
• intestinal microbe