Characteristics of glucolipid metabolism and oxidative stress in breeding pigeons (Columba livia) during lactation

Breeding pigeons is a fundamental source of profit in various enterprises but little is known on the metabolic laws governing their lactation. In this study, we analysed the metabolic profile of different sex of breeding pigeons (Columba livia, European pigeons, Mimas) during lactation. We found that male pigeons exhibited catabolism during lactation. Extension of lactation resulted in increased weight loss, then slow recovery of body weight. Conversely, the weight loss in female pigeons peaked on the seventh day of lactation. They then gradually recovered their body weight. Male pigeons showed more duration of combing, while female pigeons showed more duration of resting. In male pigeons, except for triglyceride (TG), which increased, blood lipid indexes barely changed during lactation. Conversely, in females, both TG and total cholesterol increased in middle and late lactation. The level of oxidative stress in female pigeons during lactation was higher than in males, lipid peroxide malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), plasma calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels increased in late lactation. Levels of estradiol and progesterone in female pigeons increased during lactation, whereas those of luteotropic hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and testosterone gradually decreased. As per LC-MS spectra analysis, the differential metabolites in the plasma on the day of hatching and before laying in female pigeons in lactation were enriched in retrograde endocannabinoid signalling, & alpha;-linolenic acid, arachidonic acid, choline, glycerophospholipid metabolisms, and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradations. Levels of fatty acids, amino acids, sphingomyelin and phosphatidylinositol related to the secretion of pigeon milk had reduced, whereas the levels of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and TG, which are all related to egg production, had increased. In conclusion, our study systematically revealed the different metabolic characteristics of male and female breeding pigeons during lactation. This is useful for precision feeding of pigeons and applicable in nutritional interventions for improved production.