• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1019-1025
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• 2006

Two experiments were conducted separately to study the effect of astaxanthin on production performance and egg quality in laying hens and meat quality in finishing pigs. In Experiment 1, four hundred Brown Hy-Line layers, 26 weeks of age, were randomly divided into five treatments according to a single factorial arrangement. Each treatment had four replicates comprising 20 birds each. The dietary treatments were: 0, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1 and 1.3 ppm of astaxanthin fed for 14 days. Then all the birds were fed an astaxanthin-free diet (0 ppm astaxanthin) for an additional 7 days. The results showed that dietary astaxanthin had no significant effect on layer production performance. There was no significant effect (p>0.05) on egg weight, yolk height and Haugh unit (HU) with increasing dietary astaxanthin level and increased storage time. Yolk color was linearly increased (p<0.01) with the increasing dietary astaxanthin level and significantly decreased with the increasing storage time (p<0.05). The TBARS value in yolk decreased linearly (p<0.05) with increasing amount of dietary astaxanthin and storage time. When the diets were replaced with the astaxanthin-free feeds, all parameters concerning egg quality decreased with increasing days of measurement, especially the yolk color, and HU significantly decreased (p<0.05). In experiment 2, thirty-six barrows ($L{\times}Y{\times}D$), $107{\pm}3.1kg$ BW, were randomly divided into three treatments according to a single factorial arrangement. Each treatment had three replicates comprising 4 pigs each. The dietary treatments were: 0, 1.5 and 3.0 ppm of astaxanthin fed for 14 days. The results showed that dietary astaxanthin had no significant effects on production performance. There was a linear effect (p<0.05) on dressing percentage, backf.at thickness and loin muscle area with increasing dietary astaxanthin level. There were no significant effects (p>0.05) on the TBARS value, drip loss, meat color, marbling and $L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$ values. Cholesterol concentration in meat was not affected by dietary addition of astaxanthin. It could be concluded that astaxanthin supplementation was beneficial to improve egg yolk color; egg quality during storage and it also could improve the meat quality of finishing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.141-151
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• 2000

Over-grown seaweeds in Donghae(east sea of Korea peninsula) may impedes ocean environment, however, they can be a good nutrient resources for poultry feeds if they are utilized properly. In this study, seaweeds powder were tested for laying hens\` ration to investigate the effects on egg production rate, egg quality and calcium phosphorus excretion. One hundred 65wks-old brown layers were fed for 5 weeks alotted with seaweeds powder addition to experimental diet by 0(control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%, respectively, and obtained following results; 1. Seaweeds proved a mid-protein low-energy feed resources with planty of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Sr and Fe. 2. Seaweeds addition by 0.5% and 1.0% improved egg production rate and egg-mass output markedly(p<0.05) than control. Seaweeds addition did not alter cholesterol level of yolk and yolk index, however egg shell thickness showed increasing trend by increasing seaweeds addition level. 3. Protein absorption and digestibility in seaweed addition treatments were significantly higher(p<0.05) than control group and protein contents of excreta in 0.5% and 1.0% treatments were reduced(p<0.05), which suggests effective protein metabolism for egg production. Increasing seaweeds addition reduces Ca and P contents in rectum and excreta, suggesting Ca and P utilization improvement in laying hens and lessening soil pollution. 4. In conclusion, seaweeds addition in layers' diet by 1.0% level improves egg-mass production and might be egg quality by increasing metabolism of protein, calcium and phosphorus.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.629-641
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• 2023

Objective: This study investigated the effects of extruded flaxseed with and without herbs mixture on egg performance, yolk fatty acids (FAs), lipid components, blood biochemistry, serological enzymes, antioxidants, and immune system of Hy-Line W-36 hens for nine weeks. Methods: Two hundred forty laying hens were randomly distributed to eight treatments, resulting in six replicates with five hens. Graded levels of dietary extruded flaxseed (0, 90, 180, and 270 g/kg) with and without herbs mixture (24 g/kg: garlic, ginger, green tea, and turmeric 6 g/kg each) were designed as treatments. Results: The two-way analysis of variance indicated that hens fed herbs mixture had a higher value of egg production, yolk high-density lipoprotein (HDL), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and white blood cell and lower contents of yolk cholesterol, glucose, and blood low-density lipoprotein than those fed diets without herb mixtures (p<0.05). The Flx27 (270 g/kg flaxseed) (153.5 g/kg n-3 FAs) and Flx27+H (270 g/kg flaxseed plus 24 g/kg herbs mixture) (150.5 g/kg n-3 FAs) groups were the most promising treatments in terms of yolk n-3 FAs content. In-teraction effect (herbs- flaxseed) for blood cholesterol, HDL, malondialdehyde, glutaredoxin, alanine transaminase, (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), haemoglobin and immune parameters was significant (p<0.05). The results showed layers fed herbs mixture (Flx9+H, Flx18+H, and Flx27+H) had a better value of total antibody, immunoglobulin M, immunoglobulin G, ALT, AST, and blood HDL as compared with representative flaxseed levels without herbs. Conclusion: High inclusion levels of extruded flaxseed (270 g/kg) without herbs to enrich eggs with n-3 appears to impair the antioxidant system, immunohematological parameters, and sero-logical enzymes. Interestingly, the herbs mixture supplementation corrected those effects. Therefore, feeding layers with flaxseed-rich diets (270 g/kg) and herbs mixture can be a promising strategy to enrich eggs with n-3 FAs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding fermented earthworm cast additives (FEC) on egg production, egg yolk fatty acids, blood lipid, cecal microorganism and fecal odor. The completely randomized experiment was applied, and the treatments were designed as 2 feeding regimens (control vs. FEC feeding), and FEC contained 3.5% top dressing to common diet. Egg production and egg weight of FEC group were significantly higher than that of control (p<0.05). Ratios of n-6/n-3 fatty acids in the egg yolk of FEC group were significantly higher than those in control group (p<0.05). Concentrations of HDL-C in FEC group was significantly higher than control group (p<0.05), but not triglyceride and total cholesterol. The caecal Lactobacillus of FEC group was significantly higher in FEC group than control group (p<0.05). $NH_3$ concentrations from poultry house were significantly lower in FEC group than control (p<0.05). In conclusion, these study results showed that the addition of FEC at 3.5% to the diet has reduced odor of poultry house and improved the n-6/n-3 fatty acid of egg yolk and egg production in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding germanium colloid(GC) on the egg quality and immune response in 1aying hens. One hundred forty four layers, 32-wk-old ISA Brown, were used in a 40-d experimental assay with a 7-d adjustment Period. Dietary treatments included 1) control (basal diet; CON), 2) 0.5ppm GC (basal diet + 0.Sppm germanium), 3) 1.0ppm GC (basal diet + 1.0 ppm germanium) . For overall Period, hen-day e99 Production tended to be increased as the concentration of GC in the diets was increased with significant difference (linear effect, p<0.01) . Laying hens fed 0.5ppm GC diet were significantly (P<0.01) lower in egg shell breaking strength than laying hens fed CON or 1.0 ppm GC diets. Egg shell thickness and yolk color were not influenced by GC supplementation. Laying hens fed 1.0ppm GC diet were h19her in egg yolk Index than laying hens fed CON and 0.5ppm GC diets with significant difference (quadratic effect, p<0.02) . As adding level of germanium colloid increased in the diets, the total serum cholesterol and triglyceride tended to be decreased. However, the effect of GC supplementation did not show significant in the levers of total serum cholesterol and triglyceride. Also, HDL- and LDL+VLDL-cholesterol in serum were not statistically different among the treatments. Red blood cell and white blood cell count in blood tended to be increased as the concentration of GC in the diets was increased with significant difference (P<0.01) . Hematocrit concentration in blood was successfully Increased by supplementation of GC (P<0.01) . In conclusion, although egg quality was not influenced by GC supplementation, supplementing GC Improved Immune status in laying hens.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1047-1053
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• 2006

The current study was designed to determine the effects of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on fatty acid deposition in egg yolk and various tissues of laying Tsaiya ducks, and on the mRNA concentrations of hepatic lipogenesis-related transcription factors. Thirty laying ducks were randomly assigned to three treatments with diets based on corn-soybean meal (ME: 2803 kcal/kg; CP: 17.1%; Ca: 3.4%) supplemented with 0% (control diet), 0.5% or 2% algal DHA oil. The DHA content in egg yolks of the ducks was elevated significantly (p<0.01) with the supplementation of dietary DHA. The DHA percentage of the total fatty acids in the egg yolk of laying ducks was 0.5%, 1.3% and 3.4% for 0%, 0.5% and 2% algal DHA oil treatments, respectively, for the $1^{st}$ week, and 0.5%, 1.5% and 3.3% for the $2^{nd}$ week. Therefore, algal DHA oil can be utilized by laying Tsaiya ducks to enhance the egg-yolk DHA content. The concentrations of triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol in plasma of laying Tsaiya ducks were not affected by dietary DHA treatments (p>0.05). The DHA concentration in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle was increased with the addition of dietary algal DHA oil (p<0.05). The mRNA abundance of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) and SREBP2 in the livers of laying Tsaiya ducks was not affected by dietary DHA, suggesting that the expression of these transcription factors is tightly controlled and not sensitive to DHA treatments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.559-568
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• 2012

White (Lohmann LSL) and Brown (ATAK-S) laying hens, were reared under organic and conventional cage rearing systems, and the effects of the rearing system on performance parameters, egg production, egg characteristics, and immune response were investigated. For this purpose, a total of 832 laying hens of two commercial hybrids, i.e., 416 white (Lohmann LSL) and 416 Brown (ATAK-S) layers, were used. The experiment lasted between 23 and 70 wk of age. In this study, the white layers yielded more eggs as compared to the brown layers in both organic and conventional production systems. Egg weight exhibited a similar pattern to that of laying performance. However, the total hen-housed egg number for the white birds in the organic system was fewer than that of white birds in the conventional cage facility; conversely, a contradictory tendency was observed for the brown birds. Livability of the white layers in the organic system was remarkably lower (14%) than that of the brown line, whereas the white line survived better (3.42%) than their brown counterparts in conventional cages. The feed conversion ratio of the white hens was markedly inferior in the organic system as compared to that of the white hens in the conventional system, whereas relatively lower deterioration was reported in brown layers when reared in an organic system. The organic production system increased egg albumen height and the Haugh unit in eggs of the brown layers. The yolk color score of organic eggs was lower than that of conventional eggs for both brown and white hens. The egg yolk ratio of eggs from white layers was found to be higher in organic eggs as compared to those obtained in the conventional system. All organic eggs had heavier shells than those produced in the conventional system. Eggs from brown layers had more protein content than eggs from white layers. Neither housing systems nor genotype influenced egg yolk cholesterol concentration. When compared to conventional eggs, n-3 fatty acid content was lower in organic eggs, and the n-6:n-3 ratio was higher in organic eggs. In conclusion, two hen genotypes showed different responses in terms of performance and egg quality to two different rearing systems. A commercial white strain produced more eggs with higher egg quality as compared to a native brown strain. The brown strain was found to have adapted well to organic production conditions when survival and total egg number was taken into consideration.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.630-637
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• 2014

We previously demonstrated that water-soluble egg yolk extract is not related to elevation of serum immunoglobulin E, which can initiate allergic reactions; however, it increases the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and the activity of B lymphocytes. In this study, egg white (EW) was fed to BALB/c mice to determine its influence on growth efficiency, immune modulation, and changes in serum lipid levels. A total of 50 five-wk-old BALB/c male mice were divided into 5 groups, 4 of which were fed 0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/d EW for 4 wk. Mice with an uptake of 10, 50 and 100 mg/d EW showed no significant changes in daily weight gain, feed efficiency rate, or populations of white blood cells. However, the activities of both B and T lymphocytes were significantly increased in all three EW groups at the final week of treatment. Interestingly, serum levels immunoglobulin E were not altered by EW consumption, but the IgG level was significantly increased in the 100 mg/d EW group. Serum lipid profile analyses showed no significant changes in total cholesterol, HDL, low density lipoprotein, or triglyceride levels by EW consumption. Taken together, these data demonstrate that consumption of EW promotes immune cell activities and the upregulation of serum IgG levels. However, we found no changes in serum lipid profiles and IgE levels. Therefore, our study suggests that consumption of EW might not be related to the risk of food allergy, but could be an excellent candidate for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2005

This study was conducted to evaluate the ffeding value of dried fly larva (DFL), and the effects of dietary DFL on the performance of laying hens. Ninety laying hens of 43 weeks of age(ISA brown) were randomly allotted to 5dietary treatments (0, 2, 5, 10 and $15\%$ DFL), and fed one of the experimental diets for 8 weeks. The formulae of 5 experimental diets were modified to contain $18.8\%$ CP and 2,900 ME kcal/kg. There were 3 replicates per treatment, and 6 brids Per replicate. No significant difference was found in egg Production among dietary treatments. The egg weight was increased (p<0.05) in DFL treatments compared to the control. Also, the egg shell breaking strength was increased(p<0.05) in DFL treatments by $14\%$ compared to the control. The saturated fatty acid content in egg yolk was decreased by $16\%$, and that of unsaturated fatty acid increased by $7\%$ in DFL treatments. Therefore, it could be suggested that DFL supplementation could improve the egg Qualify by increasing the egg weight, egg shell strength, and unsaturated fatty acid content in egg yolk.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2007

Two experiments were conducted to see the effects of lacquer meal (Rhus verniciflua) on layer performance. In Exp. 1, seventy-two Hy-Line brown layers, 46 wk of age were fed 0, 1.5% and 3.0% lacquer added diets for 6 weeks. Diets contained 2,650 kcal/kg ME and 16.50% CP. In Exp. 2, high-energy diets were fed to 72 Hy-line brown layers of 46 wk age for 6 wk. The diets were: control (3,000 kcal/kg ME and 16.50% CP); T1 and T2 contained 1.5 and 3.0% lacquer respectively, in addition to high energy levels. Each treatment had four replicates with 6 birds each in both the experiments. During Exp.1, there was no effect on average daily feed intake, egg production and feed efficiency, however, egg weight was linearly (p=0.0128) decreased with the addition of lacquer in diets. The egg quality parameters measured at bi-weekly intervals did not reveal any particular trend. In Exp 2., high-energy diets have decreased the feed intake and egg production in all groups. However, feeding lacquer at 1.5% increased the egg production by 9% than control. The yolk fat content was increased due to treatments showing quadratic trend (p=0.0683). The liver fat content was decreased by 40-43% than control in lacquer added diets. Except palmitic, oleic and arachidonic acids, some yolk fatty acids showed a linear decreasing trend in lacquer diets. The serum triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were not influenced with lacquer in the diets; however, the serum glucose level was linearly decreased with the addition of lacquer. In conclusion, lacquer meal supplementation significantly affected the performance of layers fed high-energy diets.