Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine

The effect of monochromatic light on the blood picture and functional state of the hematopoietic system in laying hens

Andrii Hordiienko, Pavlyna Dzhus, Yuliia Osadcha
Download article
Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the influence of monochromatic lighting on the haematological indices of Hy-Line W-36 laying hens. In the course of the experiment, four groups of birds were exposed to monochromatic lighting of different wavelengths: blue, green, yellow and red. The haematological study included analysis of leukocyte, erythrocyte and thrombocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). It was found that the colour composition of light affects the hematopoietic system of hens. The activity of white blood cells gradually decreases in the series of transition from short- to long-wavelength light, which indicates the weakening of immune stimulation under the influence of warm light. The content of haemoglobin and haematocrit increases under the yellow and red light, which indicates the activation of erythropoiesis and an increase in the volume of formed blood elements. The number of erythrocytes increases in the yellow and red spectrum, while thrombocytes are most sensitive to long‑wave radiation, which indicates the activation of the megakaryocytic lineage. The ESR decreases with an increase in the wavelength, which indicates the stabilisation of blood viscosity and a decrease in the aggregation of erythrocytes. One-way analysis of variance showed a significant effect of the colour composition of light on all studied indices. Thus, the analysis of experimental data indicates a clear dependence of the haematological status of laying hens on the spectral composition of lighting. In particular, replacing the blue light with red light resulted in a decrease in the number of leukocytes by 45.6% (p < 0.001), while the content of haemoglobin increased by 51.8% under the red spectrum compared to the blue one (p < 0.001). Additionally, the red light exposure led to an increase in the number of erythrocytes by 52.2% (p < 0.001) and a decrease in their sedimentation rate by 22.6% (p < 0.001). The results of the study are the scientific basis for the development of recommendations on the use of monochromatic and mixed lighting modes for optimising the productivity and increasing the stress resistance of laying hens

Keywords

leukocytes, erythrocytes, thrombocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, spectral composition, immune activity

Suggested citation
Hordiienko, A., Dzhus, P., & Osadcha, Yu. (2026). The effect of monochromatic light on the blood picture and functional state of the hematopoietic system in laying hens. Scientific Reports of the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, 22(1),135-147. https://doi.org/10.31548/dopovidi/1.2026.135
References
  1. Baxter, M., & Bédécarrats, G.Y. (2019). Evaluation of the impact of light source on reproductive parameters in laying hens housed in individual cages. Journal of Poultry Science, 56(2), 148-158. doi: 10.2141/jpsa.0180054.
  2. Baxter, M., Joseph, N., Osborne, V., & Bédécarrats, G. (2014). Red light is necessary to activate the reproductive axis in chickens independently of the retina of the eye. Poultry Science, 93, 1289-1297. doi: 10.3382/ps.2013-03799.
  3. DSTU 4120-2002. (2003). Complete feed for farm poultry. Technical conditions. With amendment (IPS No. 5-2003). Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page.html?id_doc=91463.
  4. DSTU 7525:2014. (2015). Drinking water. Requirements and methods of quality control. Retrieved from https://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page.html?id_doc=61154.
  5. Dunn, I.C., Ciccone, N.A., Joseph, N.T., & Hocking, P.M. (2009). Endocrinology and genetics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Biology of Breeding Poultry, 29, 61-88. doi: 10.1079/9781845933753.0061.
  6. European Union. (2010). Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council “On the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes”. Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:276:0033:0079:en:PDF.
  7. Galan, L., Solcan, G., & Solcan, C. (2025). The influence of different light spectra on broiler chicken endocrine systems and productivity. Animals, 15(21), article number 3209. doi: 10.3390/ani15213209.
  8. Gržinić, G., et al. (2023). Intensive poultry farming: A review of the impact on the environment and human health. Science of the Total Environment, 858, article number 160014. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160014.
  9. Hanlon, C., Ziezold, C.J., & Bédécarrats, G.Y. (2022). The diverse roles of 17β-estradiol in non-gonadal tissues and its consequential impact on reproduction in laying and broiler breeder hens. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, article number 942790. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2022.942790.
  10. Hassanein, E.M., Szelényi, Z., & Szenci, O. (2024). Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its agonists in bovine reproduction I: Structure, biosynthesis, physiological effects, and its role in estrous synchronization. Animals, 14(10), article number 1473. doi: 10.3390/ani14101473.
  11. Huang Y., Ujjan N.A., Syed S.F., Buzdar J.A., Ozdemir F.A., & Arain M.A. Physiological role of light modulation on poultry production, reproductions and welfare: A-systematic review. (2026). Veterinary Research Communications, 50(2), article number 118. doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-11066-3.
  12. Hy-Line W-36 final hybrid. Content guide. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.hyline.com/filesimages/Hy-Line-Products/Hy-Line-Product-PDFs/W-36/36%20COM%20RUS.pdf.
  13. Jain, N.C. (1993). Essentials of veterinary hematology. Philadelphia, PA: Lea & Febiger.
  14. Lewis, P.D., & Gous, R. (2009). Responses of poultry to ultraviolet radiation. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 65, 499-510. doi: 10.1017/S0043933909000361.
  15. Lewis, P.D., & Morris, T.R. (2000). Poultry and coloured light. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 56, 189-207. doi: 10.1079/WPS20000015.
  16. Li, J., Leghari, I.H., He, B., Zeng, W., Mi, Y., & Zhang, C. (2014). Estrogen stimulates expression of chicken hepatic vitellogenin II and very low-density apolipoprotein II through ER-α. Theriogenology, 82(3), 517-524. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.05.003.
  17. Li, S., Cao, J., Wang, Z., Dong, Y., Wang, W., & Chen, Y. (2016). Melatonin mediates monochromatic light-induced insulin-like growth factor 1 secretion of chick liver: Involvement of membrane receptors. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 92(4), 595-603. doi: 10.1111/php.12594.
  18. Liu, L., Li, D., Gilbert, E.R., Xiao, Q., Zhao, X., Wang, Y., Yin, H., & Zhu, Q. (2015). Effect of monochromatic light on expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in ovarian follicles of chicken. PLoS ONE, 10(12), article number e0144102. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144102.
  19. Mustafa, K., & Al-Kirkuki, S. (2025). Effects of lighting program at different periods on broiler chicken performance. Journal of Kerbala for Agricultural Sciences, 12(4), 348-360. doi: 10.59658/jkas.v12i4.4205.
  20. Osadcha, Yu.V. (2021). Nonspecific adaptive reactions of the chicken organism under the influence of wavelength of light. Agroecological Journal, 4, 105-114. doi: 10.33730/2077-4893.4.2021.252964.
  21. Osadcha, Yu.V., & Sakhatsky, H.I. (2021). Influence of light wavelength on viability and reproductive function of chickens. Scientific Bulletin of Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies named after S.Z. Gzhytskyi. Series: Agricultural Sciences, 23(95), 76-81. doi: 10.32718/nvlvet-a9511.
  22. Shahraki, M., Ghazaghi, M., Bagherzadeh-Kasmani, F., & Mehri M. (2025). Leveraging physiology and modeling to optimize light conditions for growing quail chicks. Poultry Science and Management, 2, article number 3. doi: 10.1186/s44364-025-00007-0.
  23. Takeshima, K., Zuidhof, M.J., Hanlon, C., & Bédécarrats, G.Y. (2026). Impact of daytime and supplemental feeder light spectrum on female broiler breeder growth and reproductive performance. Poultry Science, 105(1), article number 106074. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.106074.
  24. Teo, C.H., Phon, B., & Parhar, I. (2021). The role of GnIH in biological rhythms and social behaviors. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, article number 728862. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.728862.
  25. Tez, N., & Akşit, M. (2024). The effect of red and white LED light on performance, egg quality and some behavior characteristics of laying hens raised in enriched cages. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology, 12(3), 375-381. doi: 10.24925/turjaf.v12i3.375-381.6298.
  26. Tsutsui, K., Bentley, G.E., Bédécarrats, G., Osugi, T., Ubuka, T., & Kriegsfeld, L.J. (2010). Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and its control of central and peripheral reproductive function. Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 31, 284-295. doi: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.03.001.
  27. Zhang, F., Li, Q., Qin, W., Ren., W., Zhu, P., Jin, Q., & Li, M. (2024). A study of the biological effects of low-level light. Lasers in Medical Science, 39, article number 74. doi: 10.1007/s10103-024-04018-x.