Comparison between wheat, triticale, rye, soyabean oil and strain of laying bird on the production, and cholesterol and fatty acid contents of eggs.

1. The effects of feeding three types of cereal grain (wheat, triticale or rye) and soyabean oil (0 or 20 g/kg) over a 12-week period on the production, yolk cholesterol and yolk fatty acid concentrations of three strains of laying pullets were studied. 2. Pullets fed on wheat- or triticale-based diets had higher body weight gains, egg productions, egg weights, egg mass and lower yolk cholesterol concentrations than pullets fed on rye-based diets. However, there were no significant differences between the cereals in yolk cholesterol content. 3. There were no significant differences between the three cereals in total food consumption of pullets nor of yolk weight nor yolk concentration of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids. 4. Pullets fed on triticale-based diets had higher yolk linoleic acid concentrations and lower yolk oleic acid: linoleic acid ratios than pullets fed on rye- or wheat-based diets. 5. Soyabean oil supplementation increased egg production, egg mass, yolk linoleic concentration and yolk unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio, but reduced yolk oleic acid: linoleic acid ratio. 6. There were differences between strains of pullets in weight gain, food consumption, rate of lay, egg weight and yolk cholesterol, but not in yolk fatty acid concentrations. 7. It was concluded that wheat- or triticale-based diets gave good production of eggs of lower cholesterol content, that soyabean oil supplementation gave eggs with a high unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio and that two strains of layers produced eggs with lower yolk cholesterol concentrations than a third strain.     

The effect of supplementing layer diets with shark cartilage or chitosan on egg components and yolk lipids

1. An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of the addition of shark cartilage (SC) or chitosan (CH) to layer diets on egg component weights, yolk lipids and hen plasma lipids. 2. Hy-Line laying hens (80) were used during a 56 d feeding trial. Treatments were: basal diet (BD), BD + 20 g/kg SC, BD + 30 g/kg SC, BD + 20 g/kg CH and BD + 30 g/kg CH. Eggs were analysed on d 14, 28, 42 and 56. 3. Egg weight and egg component weights were not affected by these treatments throughout the experimental period. 4. After 14d of experimental feeding, cholesterol levels were higher in eggs from birds given BD + 20 g/kg CH and BD + 30 g/kg CH than in those from birds given BD. 5. Furthermore, eggs from hens given BD + 20 g/kg SC or BD + 20 g/kg CH were higher in palmitic and stearic acids and lower in oleic acid than those from birds fed on BD. After 56 d feeding, however, palmitic and stearic acid contents in eggs from hens given any of the supplemented diets were lower than in those from hens given BD, and oleic acid in eggs from hens given BD + 20 g/kg SC, BD + 30 g/kg SC and BD + 30 g/kg CH was higher than in those from birds fed on BD. 6. Plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. 7. Shark cartilage or chitosan at up to 30 g/kg in layer diets did not affect egg component weights (yolk, white and shell) and total lipid contents. During the period from 42 to 56d of experimental feeding, diets containing up to 30 g/kg chitosan reduced egg yolk contents of cholesterol, palmitic and stearic acids and increased the content of oleic acid.     

Exogenous enzyme complexes and linoleic acid to laying hens

The aim of this research was to evaluate how the decrease of fat inclusion (and therefore compounds essential for animal development, such as linoleic acid) and the use of exogenous enzyme complexes can affect the performance of layers. Treatments consisted of diets with different levels of linoleic acid, the negative control (NC) with 2.41 g/100g and positive control (PC) with 3.75g/100g. Treatment 3 (RLLA) was reformulated using enzymes and low levels of linoleic acid equal to the NC, treatment 4 (RILA) and treatment 5 (RHLA) were reformulated using enzymes, but with linoleic acid at moderate (3.08 g/100g) and high levels (3.75 g/100g), respectively. The formulation of treatments 3, 4, and 5 used enzymes reformulated using an enzyme nutritional matrix. The variables analyzed in each period were the feed intake (g/bird/day); egg production (%); egg weight (g); egg mass (g); feed conversion per egg mass (kg/kg) and per dozen eggs (kg/dozen); weight (g) of yolk, albumen, and shell; specific gravity (g/cm³); Haugh unit; and shell thickness (mm). The commercial enzyme supplementation was effective in supporting the productive performance of the laying hens. Nutritional reduction in diets reformulated with supplementation of the commercial enzymes can be an alternative to reduce production costs without compromising the productive performance of hens.     

Dietary conjugated linoleic acid alters fatty acid composition of pig skeletal muscle and fat

The dietary dose responsiveness of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) addition relative to the fatty acid profile of edible lean tissue was examined in grower pigs treated with or without porcine somatotropin (pST). Gilts and barrows were fed CLA at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% of diet by weight from 20 to 55 kg BW. Additional pigs were administered (pST) at 0 or 100 microg x kg BW x d(-1) and fed either 0.5 or 2.0% CLA. Animals were fed diets containing 18% CP, 1.2% lysine, and 3.5 Mcal of DE/kg at 110% of ad libitum intake. The fatty acid profile in latissimus dorsi and dorsal s.c. adipose tissue samples was determined by gas chromatography. Dietary CLA replacement of corn oil increased the percentage of total fatty acids as stearic acid, whereas the percentages as oleic and linolenic acids were reduced in lattisimus muscle. Treatment with CLA + pST increased the percentages of linoleic and arachidonic acids while reducing the percentages of palmitic and oleic acids in lattisimus muscle. Dietary CLA increased the percentages of palmitic and stearic acids in s.c. adipose tissue while reducing the percentages of oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids. The percentage of palmitic acid was reduced in s.c. adipose tissue, whereas linoleic acid was increased with CLA + pST. No synergistic effect was detected between CLA and pST for reducing carcass lipid content in grower pigs. However, pST increased the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in lattisimus muscle and s.c. adipose tissue while reducing the percentages of saturated fatty acids in swine fed CLA.     

Development of divergent lines of lean and fat broilers using plasma very low density lipoprotein concentration as selection criterion; results over the fourth generation and lack of effect of dietary fat on performance and carcase fat content

Comparisons were made of the performance and carcase composition of lean and fat broilers from the 4th generation of a breeding experiment which were fed diets containing 25 or 80 g fat/kg. Selection over the 4th generation resulted in continued divergence in the selection trait and the correlated responses of total body lipid and protein contents and the efficiencies of conversion of food and dietary protein. In both lines body weight, efficiency of food utilisation and total body lipid and protein contents were unaffected by dietary fat content. Tissue fatty acid composition was influenced by dietary and genetic factors: dietary fat increased the proportions of linoleic and oleic acids at the expense of palmitic, palmitoleic and stearic acids whilst greater body fatness increased the proportion of palmitoleic at the expense of linoleic acid.     

The impact of phytoestrogen source supplementation on reproductive performance,plasma profile,yolk fatty acids and antioxidative status in aged laying hens

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds as a source of phytoestrogens in laying feed on productive performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acids, plasma profile and antioxidative status in aged laying hens. A total of 120 Bovans Brown hens at 65 weeks of age were housed individually in laying cages in an open‐sided building under a 16‐hr light: 8‐hr dark lighting schedule. Hens were randomly divided into four experimental treatments (n = 30 each): (a) control (basal diet without any supplementation); (b) 1 g/kg of flaxseeds; (c) 1 g/kg of fenugreek seeds; and (d) combination of 1 g/kg flaxseeds and 1 g/kg fenugreek seeds from 65 to 71 weeks of age. Hen‐day egg production and egg mass were significantly increased by dietary supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds, while feed intake was not affected; thus, feed conversion ratio was improved (p < 0.05). Weights of egg, albumen, yolk and shell were increased by the dietary treatments. Shell thickness and yolk colour were improved by supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds. Yolk crude protein was not significantly affected by treatments; however, crude fat and calcium contents in yolk were increased and egg yolk cholesterol content was decreased. Interestingly, dietary supplementation of flaxseeds, fenugreek seeds and their combination had a significant positive effect on plasma luteinizing hormone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, oestradiol‐17β and triglycerides. Inclusion of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds in the diets enhanced the serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and reduced the malondialdehyde and total cholesterol concentrations in plasma. Dietary supplementation of flaxseeds and/or fenugreek seeds increased α‐linolenic and linoleic acids in egg yolk. It could be concluded that inclusion of mixed sources of phytoestrogens in diets improved laying performance, egg quality, the antioxidative status, hormonal profile and steroidogenesis in aged laying hens.     

Blood proteins and amino acids of female breeder turkeys fed on maize-soybean diets supplemented with methionine

Two hundred and six female breeder turkeys were fed on maize-soybean diets of equal energy content, containing 100, 120 or 140 g crude protein (CP)/kg to which DL-methionine was added at 0, 1, 2 or 3 g/kg diet in a factorial design. Serum albumin concentrations were found to be more sensitive measures of dietary protein adequacy than were total serum protein concentrations. Albumin concentrations at peak egg production were highest among birds fed on 120 and 140 g CP/kg diets. Four weeks later, they were highest only for those on the 140 g CP/kg diet. The elevated concentrations of blood threonine and lysine and the decreased concentration of glycine with increased dietary protein were in agreement with the data on egg production. These data suggested that a sub-optimal balance of dietary amino acids may have occurred.     

Influence of dietary linseed, fish and coconut oil on growth performance of growing pigs kept on small holdings in central Vietnam

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect on growth performance of the addition of 5% of either linseed, fish or coconut oil to the diet of growing pigs kept on small holdings in central Vietnam. The diets were fed on six different farms; there were three animals per treatment per farm. The farmers fed a base diet according to personal choice, but were instructed to use linseed, fish and coconut oil. The diets were fed to the pigs from 70 to 130 days of age. The diets with 5% linseed oil on average contained 2.4 g alpha-linolenic acid/MJ of metabolizable energy (ME) and the diets with 5% fish oil on average contained 0.06 and 0.75 g eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid/MJ ME, respectively. The relative percentages of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid in adipose tissue were determined by the intake of the corresponding fatty acids. Dietary linseed oil vs. coconut oil significantly enhanced daily weight gain and vs. fish oil it also stimulated growth, but this effect just failed to reach statistical significance. It is concluded that extra intake of alpha-linolenic acid may stimulate growth in growing-finishing pigs, this effect being independent of the conversion of alpha-linolenic acid into eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid.     

饲料中添加CLA开发共轭亚油酸强化鹌鹑蛋的试验研究

试验选择132日龄的产蛋期健康鹌鹑450只,分成3组,各组日粮中共轭亚油酸(CLA)的添加量分别为0%、2.0%和4.0%。试验期30d。结果表明,日粮中添加CLA对鹌鹑产蛋量、平均蛋重、料蛋比、产蛋率无显著影响(P0.05)。脂肪酸分析表明,CLA明显降低鹌鹑蛋黄中总单不饱和脂肪酸含量,但能增加总饱和脂肪酸和总多不饱和脂肪酸及CLA的含量。2.0%CLA处理组20d鹌鹑蛋黄中的CLA含量达最大。鹌鹑饲粮中添加CLA可生产出富含CLA的鹌鹑蛋。     

The effect of palm oil and safflower oil in the feed of parent fattening hens on fertility, hatchability and growth of progeny]

The aim of two experiments with broiler breeder hens was to evaluate the effect of diets containing palm butter or safflower oil (25 g and 50 g/kg feed, resp.) on fertility, hatchability and growth of progeny. Especially the incorporation of oleic and linoleic acid in egg yolk reflected the dietary fatty acid source. Eggs were collected and stored in the incubator at a hen age of 31, 40, 50, and 60 weeks. Hatched chicks were reared over 5 weeks. The number of fertile eggs (Experiment 1 and 2, 75 and 88%, resp.) differed between the experiments (P < or = 0.05). Neither embryonic mortality nor hatchability (Experiment 1 and 2, 76 and 78%, resp.) were significantly affected by fatty acid composition of yolk. No clear maternal dietary effect was recorded on chicken weight at hatching (Experiment 1 and 2, 43.3 g and 43.7 g, resp.) and at 35 days of age (Experimental 1 and 2, 1676 g and 1764 g, resp.) The fatty acid composition in the analysed egg yolk sac of chicks showed a different fatty level but corresponded to fatty acid composition of breeding eggs before incubation. According to a decreased level of docosahexaenoic acid in egg yolk due to increased incorporation of linoleic acid, the content of this fatty acid was also diminished in phospholipids of the brain of chicken on days 1 and 5 after hatching.     

The influence of dietary palm olein, fish oil and lard on the egg yolk and plasma lipid composition, and performances of laying hens

The influence of dietary palm olein, in comparison to fish oil and lard, on lipid levels in egg yolk and blood plasma, the fatty acid composition of egg yolk, and various production parameters were studied. Brown Lohman laying hens (n=45) were randomly assigned into three groups of 15 birds, and treated with experimental diets with either 3% palm olein (PO), fish oil (FO) or lard (L) for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, feed consumption was significantly lower for hens fed the PO diet, except week 6 of the experiment. The concentration of plasma triglycerides was increased by all experimental diets, whereas there were no significant increases of plasma total lipid and total cholesterol concentrations only in the PO group. For yolk lipids a decrease in triglycerides in the FO and L groups was observed, while total cholesterol and total lipid were significantly decreased in the PO group. Feeding with the PO diet resulted in the lowest concentrations of palmitic, stearic and linoleic acid, as well as in the highest concentration of monounsaturated oleic acid in the yolk total lipid. It was concluded that the composition of yolk lipids did not closely match the concentrations of lipids observed in experimental diets or plasma. Based on the current work it seems that the PO diet modulates egg yolk lipid content best.     

Dietary methionine requirement of the Chinese egg-laying duck

1. The dietary methionine requirement of egg-laying ducks was assessed by feeding diets supplemented with graded levels of DL-methionine (0, 4, 8, 12, 16 g/kg dietary protein) for 8 weeks. The basal diet contained 175 g protein and 2.6 g methionine per kg feed (or 14.9 g/kg protein) and an estimated ME of 11.5 MJ/kg. 2. A total of 800 Shaoxin laying ducks (420 d old) were randomly divided into 5 groups of 160 each and fed in 4 separate pens. 3. Dietary supplementation of methionine significantly increased egg production and feed conversion efficiency. 4. Dietary methionine requirement for optimum egg production was estimated to be 25.7 g/kg of dietary protein or 4.5 g/kg of the diet or 380 mg/bird-d. 5. Methionine supplementation increased the methionine level in plasma, and the free glutamic acid and aspartic acid concentrations in plasma were quadratically related to dietary methionine levels. Increasing dietary methionine had little effect on egg quality characteristics.     

Effects of feeding growing broiler chickens with practical diets containing sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal

1. Two experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of whole or dehulled lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal on productive and physiological parameters. The effects of the addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro, Novo. Nordisk, Madrid) were also tested. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of energy (12.55 kJ/g) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (not heat treated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg, respectively) were used to formulate the lupin-based diets, and the protein content was completed with either defatted soybean or casein. 3. Final body weight and feed intake of chickens fed diets containing whole lupin seed meal (400 g/kg) were lower than controls, but gain:feed ratios were not different. The presence of soybean or casein in the diet did not affect productive parameters. Birds fed dehulled (320 g/kg) instead of whole lupin seed meal had similar body weight, feed intake and gain:feed values to controls. The addition of a commercial protease (1 g/kg, Bio-Feed Pro CT) to whole lupin/soy or whole lupin/casein diets tended to increase feed intake and final weight of the birds. 4. Plasma uric acid concentration was higher, and plasma cholesterol and triglycerides lower, in chicks fed whole lupin but not in those fed dehulled lupin seed meal. Plasma amino acid concentrations were not different from controls in birds fed lupin diets. 5. Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids was not different from controls for the different lupin diets. The relative weight of the liver was higher than controls in lupin-fed birds, but not in those fed enzyme supplemented lupin-based diets. Liver concentrations of DNA tended to rise, while those of glycogen tended to decrease and liver RNA was lower in lupin-fed chicks.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid and fish oil supplementation on performance and egg quality in laying hens

1. Laying hen performance, yolk fat fatty acid concentrations and firmness of eggs were evaluated with respect to the inclusion in the diet of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fish oil. 2. Nine diets were arranged factorially, with three levels of supplementation of CLA (1, 3 and 5 g/kg) and fish oil (0, 14 and 20 g/kg). 3. Type of diet did not affect egg production traits. 4. CLA addition increased yolk weight and yolk fat concentrations of CLA, saturated and total long-chain n-3 fatty acids, but decreased those of monounsaturated and total long-chain n-6 fatty acids. 5. Fish oil addition increased long-chain n-3 fatty acids yolk fat concentrations but decreased those of CLA, saturated and long-chain n-6 fatty acids. 6. Effects of CLA addition on yolk fat concentrations of C22:4 n-6 and C20:5 n-3 were greater when no fish oil was added to the diet. 7. CLA supplementation increased linearly yolk moisture and firmness and altered albumen and yolk pH.     

Effects of feeding roasted safflower seeds (variety IL-111) and fish oil on dry matter intake, performance and milk fatty acid profiles in dairy cattle

Safflower seed has the highest concentration of linoleic acid among 80 oilseeds but little information exists on the effective use of SS for lactation cows. It was hypothesised that a diet supplemented with an Iranian SS variety (IL-111) in combination with fish oil (FO) would result in higher concentrations of trans-18:1 (including vaccenic acid) and conjugated linoleic acids in milk fat than feeding an unsupplemented control diet. Our objective was to determine the effects of feeding diets containing: (i) Control: (C); (ii) 25 g of roasted SS IL-111 (RSS); (iii) 20 g FO and (iv) 25 g RSS + 10 g FO (RSS + FO) per kilogram of dietary DM on feed intake, ruminal fermentation, milk production and fatty acid profile. Eight multiparous Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design study. The experiment had four periods of 21 days. Milk Fat percentage was lower (p < 0.01) with FO supplementation and averaged 19.0 and 21.5 g/kg milk with FO and RSS + FO compared with 30.3 and 32.5 g/kg with C and RSS. Feed intake also was lower (p < 0.01) with FO vs. C (23.1 vs. 24.5 kg/day) but feeding RSS resulted in greater feed intake compared with other treatments (26 kg/day). Despite lower feed intake with FO, milk production did not change from controls but feeding RSS + FO resulted in greater milk yield than controls (42.6 vs. 39.3 kg/day). Ruminal pH was greater (p < 0.01) in cows fed FO than other treatments. Supplemental FO alone or in combination with RSS resulted in dramatic increases (p < 0.01) in c9,t11-18:2 in milk fat (12.7 and 13.2 g/day vs. 5.8 and 7.02 with C and RSS). It was surprising to note that 25 g/kg RSS can improve feed intake.     

The influence of dietary fish oil vs. sunflower oil on the fatty acid composition of plasma cholesteryl-esters in healthy, adult cats

The question addressed was whether the fatty acid composition of plasma cholesteryl esters (CEs) in cats reflects the intake of fatty acids. Diets containing either fish oil or sunflower oil were fed to six healthy, adult cats in a cross-over trial. The dry cat foods contained approximately 18.5% crude fat, of which two-third was in the form of the variable oil. Blood samples were collected at the end of each 4-week feeding period, and the fatty acid composition of plasma CEs and plasma concentrations of lipoproteins were determined. Consumption of the diet with fish oil was associated with significantly greater proportions of eicosapentaenoic acid, arachidonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid in plasma CEs. The intake of fish oil instead of sunflower oil reduced the percentage of linoleic acid in CEs. The plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides were not affected by fish oil vs. sunflower oil feeding.     

Effect of beta, beta'-tetramethyl-substituted hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16) on laying hen performance and egg yolk lipid composition.

1. beta, beta'-tetramethyl-substituted hexadecanedioic acid (MEDICA 16), an inhibitor of hepatic cholesterogenesis and lipogenesis in rats, was orally administered to 24-week-old White Leghorn hens for a period of 16 d. Hens were fed maize-soya-bean meal diets containing 0, 1.5, or 3.0 g MEDICA 16/kg. 2. Although MEDICA 16 did not affect egg weight, yolk weight, egg cholesterol content, or the efficiency of food utilisation, egg production was significantly reduced in birds fed 3.0 g MEDICA 16/kg compared to those fed the other two diets. 3. Total yolk monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in eggs of hens fed both inclusion rates of MEDICA 16 compared to those of the control birds. In contrast, egg yolk total polyunsaturated fatty acid content and the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids were both inversely related to the dietary content of MEDICA 16. 4. These results suggest that MEDICA 16 primarily altered hepatic fatty acid metabolism, but not cholesterol synthesis, in laying hens.     

日粮中添加辣诺素对海兰褐蛋鸡产蛋性能和蛋品质的影响

本试验旨在研究日粮中添加辣诺素（辣木和诺丽果的提取物）对蛋鸡生产性能及蛋品质的影响。将产蛋高峰期（22周龄）的海兰褐商品蛋鸡540只随机分为6个处理,每个处理6个重复,每个重复15只鸡。负对照组（NC）饲喂基础日粮,正对照组（PC）饲喂添加50 mg/kg杆菌肽锌的基础日粮,4个试验组分别饲喂添加0.25、0.50、0.75和1.00 g/kg辣诺素（LNS）的基础日粮。试验期24周。结果显示：①日粮处理对蛋鸡试验前期和后期生产性能均无显著影响（P>0.05）,试验后期添加0.50和0.75 g/kg辣诺素有改善料蛋比的趋势（P=0.087）;日粮处理对试验前期和后期鸡蛋蛋形指数、蛋壳强度、蛋壳厚度、蛋黄重和哈氏单位均无显著影响（P>0.05）,但日粮中添加杆菌肽锌和辣诺素有提高蛋壳强度的趋势（P=0.062）,其中以添加0.75g/kg辣诺素组鸡蛋强度最高。②与正、负对照组相比,添加辣诺素显著增加了生蛋黄和熟蛋黄的罗氏蛋黄色比率（P<0.05）,显著降低了蛋黄胆固醇的含量（0.25 LNS组除外）（P<0.05）。③与负对照组相比,添加0.50 g/kg辣诺素显著提高了鸡蛋总黄酮、二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）、卵磷脂、亚麻酸和亚油酸含量（P<0.05）。综合以上试验结果,辣诺素作为饲料添加剂具有提高鸡蛋营养品质的功能,考虑到添加成本,产蛋鸡日粮中添加0.25~0.50 g/kg为宜。     

Long-Term Feeding of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Fish Oil to Laying Hens: Effects on Hepatic Histopathology,Egg Quality,and Lipid Components

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of long-term feeding of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fish oil on egg quality characteristics, production performance, liver pathology, and egg fatty acid content of laying hens. Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens (n = 112), 21 wk old, were placed in cages and randomly assigned to 4 diets (28 hens/diet, 4 replicates of 7 hens) containing 3.0% yellow grease (control), 2.75% yellow grease + 0.25% CLA (YG-CLA), 2.5% yellow grease + 0.25% CLA + 0.25% fish oil (YG-CLA-FO), and 2.75% yellow grease + 0.25% fish oil (YG-FO). The experimental diets were fed for 12 mo. Eggs were collected daily for 12 mo. Feed consumption, hen-day egg production, and feed efficiency were monitored. At the end of the trial, hepatic tissue was collected for histopathology. No effect of diet was found on feed consumption, hen-day egg production, feed efficiency, egg weight, yolk weight, shell weight, or Haugh unit. The YG-CLA and YG-CLA-FO diets produced an increase in CLA and saturated fatty acids in the egg and liver tissue with a concomitant reduction in monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Feeding YG-CLA-FO and YG-FO increased the n-3 fatty acids in egg yolk and liver of hens (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in the number of fat vacuoles in the liver tissue. The total fat content of hepatic and abdominal fat pads did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05). Regardless of the diet, as the hens aged, egg weight, yolk weight, and egg total fat increased, and shell weight decreased (P < 0.05). These data demonstrate that eggs with increased n-3 fatty acids and CLA can be generated by minor diet modifications without affecting the production performance or health of birds.     

Effects of increasing amount of dietary Prosopis laevigata pods on performance,meat quality and fatty acid profile in growing lambs

A study with finishing lambs assessed the effect of dietary inclusion of Prosopis laevigata pods (PLPs) on performance, carcass characteristics, meat traits and fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat. Twenty‐one Rambouillet lambs (27.0 ± 3.0 kg BW) were assigned to one of three experimental diets with 0, 150 and 300 g PLP/kg DM. Evaluation of growth performance lasted 49 days. The experimental design was completely randomized and analysed with a mixed model. Lambs fed diets with 0, 150 and 300 g PLP had similar growth performance. Lambs fed diets with 300 g PLP/kg DM had better (p < 0.05) carcass yield and classification, less (p < 0.05) fat deposition and lower lightness (L*) value (p < 0.05) in meat than lambs fed diets with 0 and 150 g PLP/kg DM. Saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) decreased (p < 0.05) and unsaturated fatty acids (oleic and linoleic) increased (p < 0.05) in subcutaneous fat of lambs fed diets with 150 and 300 g pods as compared with lambs not fed PLP. Prosopis laevigata pods are a safe feedstuff that can replace a third of conventional ingredients and reduce feed costs in growing lambs. Addition of PLP reduced (p < 0.05) total feed cost by 21%.