Effects of lipotropic products on egg quality, blood biochemistry, and immune responses in commercial laying hens fed with medium and high metabolizable energy level diets

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine, choline chloride, and lecithin in the diet of laying hens fed with medium and high energy level diets on egg quality, blood biochemical parameters, and immune responses. The first factor was two levels of energy (medium = 2900 and high = 3000 kcal/kg) and the second factor was the use of three lipoprotein supplements (L-carnitine 100 mg/kg, choline chloride 1000 mg/kg, and 2% alternative lecithin dietary fat). Results showed that experimental diets led to significant differences (P < 0.05) in production, concentrated white height, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk index, yolk content, and weight index to the shell. The results also showed that the use of high energy levels vs medium energy levels improved the egg quality as well as other aforementioned factors. In conclusion, the use of high energy levels (3000kcal/kg) as well as L-carnitine (100mg/kg) as a dietary supplement had the greatest effects on the studied factors.

KEYWORDS:

• Blood biochemistry
• Energy level
• Laying hen
• Lipotropic products
• Egg quality

Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Islamic Azad University, Arak Branch, (Markazi, Iran) for providing facilities and financial support for this study

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).