Gamal Mehaisen, PhD

Citation:

{G. M. K. Mehaisen, A. Abbas, A. }A. M. H., and A. Galal, "{Effect of linseed oil on egg yolk cholesterol and perfor- mance of laying hens}", Poult. Sci. 90(E-Suppl. 1), vol. 90, pp. 100 (Abstract), 2011. copy at www.tinyurl.com/yytaj365

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the effect of linseed oil as a natural source rich in omega-3 fatty acids on egg yolk cholesterol and per- formance of laying hens. A total of 180 commercial Hy-Line brown laying hens were randomly divided into 4 groups and were fed for 28 d on control diet and diets containing 2, 4 and 6% linseed oil. Egg production performance and feed consumption were recorded during 42 d of the study. Blood and egg samples were collected from laying hens at 14, 28 and 42 d of the experiment to measure the total pro- tein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus in plasma as well as yolk cholesterol concentration in eggs. Results revealed that egg pro- duction performance was significantly improved by supplementation of linseed oil in the diets (egg number was 39.07 vs. 37.78 eggs/hen and egg mass was 2432.29 vs. 2358.13 g/hen for linseed groups vs. control group, respectively, P < 0.05). Feed consumption was signifi- cantly (P < 0.05) lower in linseed groups than in control group (110.78 vs. 121.05 g/hen/day), and consequently, the feed conversion ratio decreased (2.05 vs. 2.31). Plasma protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus were not influenced by the linseed oil levels in the diet. Egg yolk cholesterol significantly decreased by linseed supple- mentation (11.57, 11.18 and 10.98 mg/g cholesterol in 2%, 4% and 6% linseed oil groups vs. 12.80 mg/g cholesterol in control group, P < 0.05). Therefore, the dietary supplementation of linseed oil in chicken diets as natural source of omega-3 fatty acids is healthier for egg con- sumers.

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