Flammulina velutipes stem regulates oxidative damage and synthesis of yolk precursors in aging laying hens by regulating the liver–blood–ovary axis

This study shows that adding golden needle mushroom stems to the feed of aging laying hens improves egg production by reducing oxidative damage and boosting reproductive hormones. The mushroom stem, normally a waste product, works through a liver-ovary signaling pathway to enhance the production of yolk-building proteins and improve the quality and number of developing eggs. The treatment was particularly effective at doses of 4-6% supplementation and also had beneficial side effects like reducing abdominal fat and improving eggshell thickness.