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- Title
Effects of dietary delta-aminolevulinic acid and chitooligosaccharide on egg production, egg quality and hematological characteristics in laying hens.
- Authors
Chen, Y. J.; Min, B. J.; Cho, J. H.; Kim, H. J.; Yoo, J. S.; Kim, J. D.; Kim, H. R.; Kang, D. K.; Kim, I. H.
- Abstract
Delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), which is synthesized by the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA, is the committed step of the heme synthesis pathway. Chitooligosaccharide (COS), made from chitin or chitosan, was suggested to have some similar physiological effects with ALA. An 8 wk experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of ALA and COS in layer diets on egg production, egg quality and hematological characteristics. Two hundred seventy 21 wk old (Hy-line brown) layers were randomly assigned to five treatments with nine replications (six layers in adjacent three cages). Dietary treatments were 1) CON (Control diet), 2) ALA1 (CON + ALA 2 ppm), 3) ALA2 (CON + ALA 4 ppm), 4) COS1 (CON + COS 0.1%) and 5) COS2 (CON + COS 0.2%). All diets were formulated met or exceeded NRC (1994) recommendation for laying hens. Egg production and egg shell breaking strength were not affected by supplementation of either ALA or COS (P>0.05). Egg weight was higher in ALA1 treatment than CON, ALA2 and COS2 treatments (P<0.05). Egg shell thickness was higher in ALA1 and COS1 treatments than CON treatment (P<0.05). Yolk color unit was increased in ALA1 treatment compared with COS1 treatment (P<0.05). Egg yolk index was also increased in ALA and COS treatments compared with CON treatment (P<0.05). Haugh unit was not significantly affected among all the treatments (P<0.05). No effects were observed on RBC, lymphocyte, Hb, total protein, albumin and total iron binding capacity with the supplementation of ALA and COS (P>0.05). WBC was increased in ALA1 treatment compared with CON treatment (P<0.05). Iron concentration was higher in ALA2 treatment than CON and COS1 treatments (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of ALA has beneficial effects on egg quality in laying hens.
- Subjects
NATIONAL Research Council of Canada; AGRICULTURAL egg production; HENS; EGG quality; EGG yolk; IRON supplements
- Publication
Journal of Animal Science, 2006, Vol 84, p345
- ISSN
0021-8812
- Publication type
Article