Meta-Analysis of Detoxifying Agent Effects on Egg Quality in Laying Hens Exposed to Mycotoxins

Mycotoxin contamination in poultry feed poses a serious threat to egg production and quality, leading to substantial economic losses in the egg industry. Detoxifying agents (DAs), including mineral binders, yeast cell wall derivatives, and microalgae, are widely used to mitigate these effects; however, reported outcomes remain inconsistent. This meta-analysis quantitatively evaluated the efficacy of various DAs in improving egg quality parameters in laying hens exposed to mycotoxins. Seven eligible studies published between 2010 and 2025 were retrieved from the Scopus® database and included in a meta-analysis conducted using OpenMEE software. Pooled results showed that DA supplementation significantly improved egg production (SMD = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.78–2.02, p < 0.001), shell thickness (SMD = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.22–1.39, p = 0.007), shell strength (SMD = 1.40, 95% CI: 0.56–2.24, p = 0.001), shell weight (SMD = 2.68, 95% CI: 0.99–4.37, p = 0.001), and albumen height (SMD = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.91–1.75, p < 0.001). Egg weight, yolk color, and Haugh units were not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed that bentonite at a 1% concentration was the most effective for enhancing egg production and shell quality, whereas lower doses of Spirulina platensis or combination agents yielded the greatest improvement in yolk color. Despite the high heterogeneity (I² > 75%) and the limited number of studies, these findings support the targeted use of DAs to mitigate mycotoxin-induced declines in egg quality and help guide optimal supplementation strategies in laying hen production.