Responses of growing Japanese quails (heavy body weight line) to graded levels of essential amino acid concentrations in diets with or without fishmeal

The influence of dietary amino acid profile on growth and immune response was investigated in growing quails (n = 928) divided into 24 subgroups. Eight dietary treatments with four levels of essential amino acids (EAA), viz. 90, 100, 110 and 120% of NRC, each with or without fishmeal (FM), were formulated following a four (EAA levels) times two (protein type) factorial design. Each treatment was allotted to three replicates up to 5 weeks of age. After 5 weeks of age 10 quails were randomly sacrificed from each treatment to study the relative weight of immune organs. Live weight gain was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in diets containing 120% EAA with or without FM and 110% EAA with FM during 0 to 21 days of age. However, live weight gain from 21 to 35 days of age was higher (P < 0.01) in quails received diets containing 90% EAA with or without FM and 100% EAA without FM than in other dietary treatments. Live weight gain increased linearly (P < 0.01) with the increase in EAA levels overall (0–35 days). Feed intake was higher (P < 0.01) in diets with higher EAA levels (110 and 120%) from 0 to 21 days. The interaction of EAA and protein type influenced (P < 0.05) feed intake from 21 to 35 days of age. There was linear decrease (P < 0.01) in feed intake with the lowering of EAA level up to 100% during 0 to 35 days. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better (P < 0.01) up to day 21 at higher EAA levels (110 or 120%) while during days 21 to 35 better FCR was calculated (P < 0.01) in diet with low EAA levels (90 or 100%). FCR was improved in all vegetable protein diet in comparison with FM diet. Energy efficiency up to 21 days of age was better (P < 0.01) at high EAA levels (110 and 120%), while thereafter better at low (P < 0.01) EAA levels (90 and 100%). Protein efficiency improved linearly (P < 0.01) with decreasing EAA level. Humoral (SRBC) and cellular (PHA‐P) immune response did not differ in response to EAA levels or protein type. Higher (P < 0.01) relative weight of spleen was recorded at 100% EAA level, while the relative weight of thymus was higher in diet containing 110% EAA level without fishmeal. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of enzymes in diets with varying energy levels on growth and egg production performance of Japanese quail

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feed‐grade enzyme supplementation in diets with varying levels of energy on the performance of growing and laying Japanese quails. Day‐old Japanese quails, 504 in number, were subjected to six dietary treatments with six replicates at each treatment. Each replicate had 14 chicks. The dietary treatments consisted of three energy levels ie 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal), 11.30 MJ (2700 kcal) and 10.48 MJ (2500 kcal) ME kg^?1 diet and two enzyme levels (0 and 0.5 g kg^?1 diet). A metabolism trial was conducted at the fourth week of age. At the end of week 5, 10 quails (five of each sex) per treatment were sacrificed for carcass characteristics and 20 female quails from each of the six dietary groups were housed in individual laying cages and fed respective layer diet to study the laying performance and egg quality up to 20 weeks of age. Body weight gains of quails fed 12.15 MJ or 11.30 MJ ME kg^?1 diets were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those fed diets with 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Feed intake was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in birds that received diet with 12.15 MJ ME kg^?1 than in birds that diets containing either 11.30 or 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Feed conversion ratio (p < 0.01) was best at 12.15, followed by 11.30 and 10.46 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. Enzyme supplementation did not improve the growth performance, feed intake or feed conversion efficiency of quails. Enzyme addition also did not influence nitrogen retention or energy or dry matter metabolizability. The carcass characteristics did not differ because of energy or enzyme supplementation. Feed intake increased significantly (p < 0.01) as the dietary energy level decreased. The egg production and quality characteristics remained almost similar in all the dietary treatments. It was concluded that the optimum dietary energy level for quail was 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal) ME kg^?1 during the growing phase and 11.30 MJ (2700 kcal) ME kg^?1 during the laying phase. Addition of feed enzymes to conventional diets containing varying levels of maize, soyabean meal, fish meal and deoiled rice bran was not beneficial to improve growth, carcass traits, egg production performance or nutrient utilization. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Influence of Feeding Yellow-, Green- and Brown-Seeded Peas on Production Performance of Laying Hens

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the feeding value of yellow-, green- and brown-seeded peas as protein and energy supplements in laying hen diets. In experiment 1, all three types of peas were included in laying hen diets at 0, 200, 400 and 600 g kg^-1 replacing wheat and soya bean meal. Layers fed diets containing peas at 200 g kg^-1 produced more (P⩽0·05) eggs, had higher (P⩽0·05) egg mass output and better (P⩽0·01) feed conversion than those fed the wheat soya bean meal control diet. With 400 g peas kg^-1 in diets, egg production, egg mass and feed conversion were similar (P⩾0·05) to the control diet. Total replacement of soya bean meal with peas (600 g peas kg^-1 in diets) reduced (P⩽0·01) egg production, egg mass and feed conversion. A progressive (P⩽0·01) improvement in yolk colour as the level of peas in the diet increased was observed. Shell quality decreased (P⩽0·05) with increasing levels of yellow or brown peas in the diets, however, it seemed not to be affected by green peas. Daily feed intake, egg weight and mortality rates were not affected by dietary treatments. The influence of feeding diets containing yellow or brown peas supplemented with varied levels of methionine on production performance of laying hens was investigated in experiment 2. The dietary treatments consisted of a 400 g kg^-1 yellow or brown pea diet supplemented with three levels of methionine to 100, 115 and 130% of the NRC requirements. Methionine supplementation to either 15 or 30% above NRC requirement for laying hens had no significant (P⩾0·05) effect on all production parameters. It can be concluded that the inclusion of yellow, green or brown peas into laying hen diets up to 400 g kg^-1 does not affect production performance. The NRC recommendation of methionine requirement for laying hens is adequate to support maximum egg production for diets containing moderate quantities of peas. © 1997 SCI.     

Effects of dietary yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content,egg yolk fatty acid composition and humoral immune response of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary yeast autolysate on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content, egg yolk fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation of egg yolk, some blood parameters and humoral immune response of laying hens during a 16 week period. A total of 225 Hyline Brown laying hens, 22 weeks of age, were allocated equally to one control group and four treatment groups. Yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, InteWall) was used at levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second, third and fourth treatment groups respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake and egg traits. Yeast autolysate supplementation increased egg production (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P < 0.001) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 decreased egg yolk cholesterol level as mg g^?1 yolk (P < 0.01) and blood serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (P < 0.05) and increased antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (P < 0.01). Total saturated fatty acids and the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids increased (P < 0.01) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001) decreased with yeast autolysate supplementation. CONCLUSION: Dietary yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on performance, egg cholesterol content and humoral immune response. It is concluded that 2 g kg^?1 yeast autolysate will be enough to have beneficial effects in laying hens. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary black cumin seed on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens during a 12 week period. For this purpose a total of 160 Lohmann Brown laying hens 36 weeks of age were allocated to four dietary treatments with one control group and three treatment groups. Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) was used at the level of 5, 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake, egg production, egg quality characteristics and blood parameters. Diets containing 10 and 15 g kg^?1 black cumin seed increased egg weight (P < 0.01), improved feed efficiency (P < 0.01) and decreased egg yolk cholesterol, saturated fatty acids (% of total fatty acid methyl esters) and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared to the diet of control group. CONCLUSION: Dietary black cumin seed at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on egg weight, feed efficiency, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Therefore it can be used at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of laying hens. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

The replacement value of triticale for barley in layer diets with or without rice pollard

In a factorial experiment, the laying performance of White Leghorn hens given diets in which triticale replaced 100, 50 or 0% of barley either in the presence or absence of 210 g kg^?1 rice pollard and with two levels (2.5 and 3.5 g kg^?1) of methionine was examined. The replacement of barley with triticale had no significant effect on egg production, egg weight or feed conversion efficiency. The inclusion of 210 g kg^?1 rice pollard increased the weight (P < 0.01) and reduced the yolk colour (P<0.01) of eggs. Neither triticale nor barley had a significant effect on liver weight and lipid content. Triticale increased the palmitoleic acid content but had no significant effect on the content of other fatty acids in the liver and yolk lipids. Rice pollard increased the concentration of linoleic and arachidonic acids in liver and yolk lipids while the concentrations of myristic, palmitoleic and oleic acids were decreased. Increasing the level of methionine from 2.5 to 3.5 g kg^?1 in diets with either triticale or barley or rice pollard had no significant effect on any of the egg production characteristics.     

Cumin seed meal as an alternative to wheat bran in commercial laying hen diets

To evaluate the nutritional significance of cumin seed meal (CSM) as a commercial poultry feedstuff on laying hen performance and quality of laid eggs, an experiment was conducted using 144 (48‐week‐old) laying hens receiving diets containing 0, 25 and 50 g CSM kg^?1 with or without polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) and xylanase enzyme (Grindazym^? GP 15000) for 9 weeks. Body weight on the first and last days of the experiment and daily egg production and egg weight and weekly feed intake during the first, fifth and ninth weeks of the experiment were recorded. Shell weight, shell thickness, Haugh unit and yolk colour were measured during the last week of the experiment. The results showed that inclusion of CSM in laying hen diets had no negative influence on the parameters measured compared with the control diet (P > 0.05), but enhanced egg yolk colour (P < 0.05). PEG increased the daily feed intake of birds receiving CSM diets (P < 0.01) and tended to enhance daily egg production and egg weight, although not significantly. Grindazym decreased shell weight and thickness of laid eggs (P < 0.05) and tended to increase hen body weight, but had no influence on other parameters measured. The results demonstrated that CSM can be substituted for wheat bran in layer diets at 25 or 50 g kg^?1 dietary inclusion level without any adverse effect on hen performance or egg quality, and might enhance egg yolk colour. In view of the low price of CSM, it could be concluded that inclusion of CSM in the diet might be beneficial to the commercial laying hen industry and reduce the overall cost of egg production. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary taurine on egg production,egg quality and cholesterol levels in Japanese quail

BACKGROUND: Taurine is a semi‐essential amino acid and has many biological properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with taurine on egg production, egg quality, and cholesterol level in serum and egg yolk of quails. A total of 108 quails aged 6 weeks were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment consisted of four replicates of nine quails. The diets were supplemented with 0, 100, and 500 mg kg^?1 of taurine for 8 weeks. RESULTS: Dietary 500 mg kg^?1 taurine significantly affected egg production rate and feed conversion ratio, but had no significant effects on body weight gain, feed consumption, or egg weight. Dietary taurine had no significant effect on egg quality parameters studied. Serum triglyceride concentration was reduced significantly with supplementation of taurine at 100 and 500 mg kg^?1. Egg yolk cholesterol content was reduced significantly, and the contents of serum taurine and egg yolk taurine were increased significantly with taurine supplementation at 500 mg kg^?1. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study indicated that adding 500 mg kg^?1 taurine reduced yolk cholesterol concentration and increased yolk taurine content without adverse effects on performance and egg quality of laying quails. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of garlic powder on the performance,egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic powder on the performance, egg traits and blood parameters of laying hens. One hundred and sixty‐two SHSY‐type brown layers aged 21 weeks were chosen at random from a large flock. They were allocated to three dietary treatments. Each treatment comprised six replicates of nine layers in groups of three. The diets were supplemented with 0, 5 and 10 g kg^?1 garlic powder. The experimental period lasted 22 weeks. Garlic powder addition did not significantly affect body weight, egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, egg shell index, egg breaking strength, egg shell thickness, egg albumen index, egg yolk index, egg Haugh unit, egg yolk weight and serum protein concentration. Egg weight increased (P < 0.01) with garlic powder supplementation. There was a significant (P < 0.01) reduction in egg cholesterol concentration as mg g^?1 yolk when the dietary level of garlic powder was increased from 0 to 10 g kg^?1. Hen serum triglyceride (P < 0.05) and total cholesterol (P < 0.01) concentrations decreased with garlic powder supplementation. This study demonstrated that garlic powder addition increased egg weight and decreased egg yolk cholesterol concentration (mg g^?1 yolk) and serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations without adverse effects on performance and egg traits. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

牛磺酸对鹌鹑产蛋性能、脂肪代谢及免疫功能的影响

以鹌鹑为研究对象,在日粮中添加不同剂量的牛磺酸(Tau),考察Tau对鹌鹑产蛋性能、脂肪代谢及免疫功能的影响。将108只鹌鹑分为3个处理组,每个处理组4个重复,每个重复9只,进行试验4周。结果表明,添加质量分数为0.01%Tau显著降低破蛋率,添加质量分数为0.05%Tau显著提高产蛋率,显著降低料蛋比和破蛋率(P0.05);0.05%Tau组显著提高免疫球蛋白(IgG)含量和增强皮肤超敏反应(FWI)(P0.05);质量分数0.01%Tau显著降低动脉硬化指数(AI)和甘油三酯(TG)含量;质量分数0.05%Tau组可显著提高血清高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)含量和脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)活性,显著降低TG含量和AI指数(P0.05)。结果提示,日粮中添加牛磺酸可提高鹌鹑的产蛋率和有效降低软破蛋率,牛磺酸提高了鹌鹑的免疫功能,通过提高血清LPL活性和HDL-C水平促进了脂肪代谢。     

Effects of L‐carnitine supplementation to diets with different fat sources and energy levels on fatty acid composition of egg yolk of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to determine the effects of feeding diets with two different levels of metabolisable energy (ME) (11.51 or 10.88 MJ ME kg^?1 diet) and three different sources of fat (palm oil, sunflower oil or fish oil) with or without supplemental L ‐carnitine (0 or 500 mg kg^?1 diet) on the fatty acid (FA) composition of egg yolk and the passage of n3 polyunsaturated FAs to egg yolk in laying hens. RESULTS: The ∑n3, particularly C22:6n‐3, FA contents of egg yolk were significantly reduced by adding of L ‐carnitine (C2) to different fat sources (P < 0.01). The ratio of n6/n3 was reduced from 53.77 to 17.72 in eggs yolks when ME was lowered in the diet with C2‐sunflower oil (SFO) whereas it was enhanced from 2.19 to 9.31 in C2‐E2 (low energy) diet with fish oil (FO) (P < 0.001). The diet with E2 or C2 containing FO resulted in a decrease of the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.001). On the other hand, supplementation of C2 to diets with SFO or palm oil (PO) caused to a decrease in the C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.01). A significant increase of the ratio of n6/n3 in egg yolk can be seen by feeding with E2 diet by adding of C2 to all fat sources like in E1 (normal energy) diet (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dietary treatments resulted in major changes in FA composition of egg yolk. The supplemental C2 in diet decreased the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3FA contents in egg yolk. The use of FO in diets with E2 significantly reduced the passage rate of C22:6n‐3 FA to egg yolk. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Validating the current amino acid and energy requirements of coloured broiler chickens

Background: Coloured broilers are gaining popularity in the Indian subcontinent. However, very scanty reports are available on their dietary requirements for amino acid (AA) and energy. An experiment was conducted involving three levels of amino acids (115, 100 and 85% AA level of the NRC), at three levels of energy (13.40, 12.55 and 11.72 MJ kg^?1 diet) for 0–28 days of age. Results: Body weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 115% AA group was better than those fed diets with 100 and 85% AA. Dietary energy levels did not influence body weight gain up to 14 days of age but thereafter it was higher (P < 0.01) in birds offered the 13.40 MJ ME kg^?1 diet. The exponential regression equation had better curve fitting for daily body weight gain over daily AA intake and the power regression model for FCR. Nitrogen retention was higher in birds offered the diets with 115 and 100% AA than 85% AA, although nitrogen retention was not affected by dietary energy level. Thymus weight (P < 0.036) and in vivo response to PHA‐P (P < 0.006) was significantly higher in birds offered the 85% AA diet. Dietary energy levels had no effect on the immune response of the birds. Weight of gizzard, proven‐triculus and small intestine was higher in birds offered the 85% AA diet. Conclusion: Body weight of coloured broilers may be optimised by feeding higher level of AA and immune response can be optimised by feeding 12.55 kJ ME kg^?1 diet and 15% lower level of AA as suggested by the US National Research Council. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of low and high dietary levels of beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) on the performance of laying chickens

In two experiments, commercial laying pullets and hens were fed diets containing either low or high concentrations of beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), the toxin present in some legume seeds in the genus Lathyrus. BA PN was fed as mono-beta-aminopropionitrile fumarate. The main effects of feeding BAPN to laying birds appear to be on shell formation, egg weight and egg production. Heavier eggs, abnormal in shape and shell texture, were frequently obtained when BAPN was included in the diet. Effects on both egg weight and egg malformation were observed with or without a reduction in egg production. The toxic level of BA PN fumarate in the diet of laying birds appears to lie between 0.1 and 0.2 g kg^?1. Considering BAPN content in seeds of different Lathyrus species and the level of active constituent of BAPN fumarate which had adverse effects, it was found that Lathyrus seeds which contain BAPN as a toxic constituent have margins of safety and could be utilised to constitute a proportion of the layer diets without any deleterious effects.     

Growth and egg production of layer pullets can be affected by the method of supplying energy and protein sources

BACKGROUND: The effects of different methods of offering energy (ES) and protein (PS) sources on growth and egg production of layer pullets were assessed. From 9 to 22 weeks of age, 320 layer chickens (Isa Brown) were allocated to four treatments: 1, control (balanced diet); 2, E60:P40 (ES and PS in balanced diet sequentially during 60 and 40% of daily photoperiod respectively); 3, E40:P60 (ES and PS in balanced diet sequentially during 40 and 60% of daily photoperiod respectively); 4, EPFC (free choice between ES and PS in separate troughs). RESULTS: Sequential or free choice feeding between ES and PS to point of lay decreased feed intake and delayed onset of egg production (P < 0.05). Control pullets had higher body weight at first egg than E60:P40 and E40:P60 birds (P < 0.05). Pullets in the E40:P60 group consumed less ES and more PS than those in other groups (P < 0.05). During the laying period, E40:P60 birds had higher egg production and egg mass than E60:P40 birds. EPFC pullets had lower feed efficiency than control and E40:P60 pullets. CONCLUSION: Offering PS during 60% of the photoperiod to point of lay may decrease feed intake without affecting egg production. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of egg yolk from chickens fed diets supplemented with purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of purslane on egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, yolk fatty acid composition, and egg cholesterol content in laying hens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty 80‐week‐old layers were allocated randomly to receive diets supplemented with 0 (control), 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 dried purslane for 84 days. Egg weights and egg production in the groups were recorded daily, whereas feed intake was measured weekly. RESULTS: Diet supplemented with 20 g kg^?1 purslane significantly decreased body weight of the chickens compared to the control. Inclusion of purslane at the level of 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 into the diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved egg weight compared to the control. Chickens fed the diet including 20 g kg^?1 purslane had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher egg production and improved feed efficiency compared to the control. Cholesterol content of eggs from the hens fed 0, 10 or 20 g kg^?1 did not differ and was 10.45, 9.51 or 9.51 mg g^?1 dried egg yolk, respectively. Inclusion of purslane at the level of 20 g kg^?1 into the diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased ω‐3 fatty acids such as C18:3(ω‐3) and C22:6(ω‐3). The ratio of ω‐6 to ω‐3 also was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the eggs from chickens fed 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 purslane supplemented diets compared to the control. CONCLUSION: This study showed that adding dried purslane to the diet of laying hens significantly increased egg production and egg weights although there was no reduction in the egg cholesterol concentration. This study also showed that inclusion of purslane into diet enriched eggs with ω‐3 fatty acids and decreased the ratio of ω‐6/ω‐3 in the yolk. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary microalgae,other lipid sources,inorganic selenium and iodine on yolk n‐3 fatty acid composition,selenium content and quality of eggs in laying hens

BACKGROUND: This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing laying hen diets with different n‐3 fatty acid sources (linseed oil, fish oil and microalgae) on egg quality and fatty acid profile. The addition of inorganic selenium (Se) and iodine (I) and their effects on egg characteristics and Se concentration were also evaluated. RESULTS: A significantly lower egg weight was found in the control group and in groups fed a diet containing fish oil or a diet containing microalgae plus Se and I. Yolks from all supplemented diet groups exhibited a significant reduction in n‐6 fatty acid content compared with the control group. The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of yolks was higher (P < 0.01) in all supplemented diet groups. Selenium supplementation increased the Se concentration (P < 0.001) in eggs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence that an improvement in egg weight and in the DHA content of yolks can be achieved by feeding hens a microalgae‐rich diet, which avoids the unpleasant flavours associated with fish oil supplementation. Dietary inorganic Se, especially in combination with I, can enhance the concentration of Se in eggs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Low‐protein amino acid‐supplemented diets in broiler chickens: effects on performance,carcass characteristics,whole‐body composition and efficiencies of nutrient utilisation

Two concurrent trials were conducted to investigate the influence of low‐protein amino acid‐supplemented diets on the performance, carcass characteristics, whole‐body composition and efficiencies of nutrient utilisation by the male broiler chicken from age 3 to 6 weeks. The first trial comprised five isoenergetic (13.0 MJ kg⁻¹) diets containing 225 (control), 210, 190, 172 or 153 g kg⁻¹ crude protein (CP) supplemented with essential amino acids (EAAs) to meet the minimum National Research Council recommendations. In the second trial a composite mixture of non‐essential amino acids (NEAAs) was added to the lower‐CP diets (ie 210–153 g kg⁻¹) such that they became isoproteinous (N × 6.25) with the 225 g kg⁻¹ control. Neither the lowering of dietary CP nor NEAA supplementation had any significant influence on weight gain or the relative weights of the various carcass cuts. However, chicks fed the lowest‐CP diets consumed more feed (P ≤ 0.05) and had poorer (P ≤ 0.05) feed conversion efficiency (FCE). NEAA supplementation enhanced FCE to the control levels. Whole‐body compositional analysis showed that lowering dietary CP increased (P ≤ 0.01) total body fat in a linear fashion (P ≤ 0.001; r = −0.72). Equalising dietary CP with the control (ie maintaining identical energy/protein ratio) by NEAA supplementation did not correct for the fat deposition. Total body protein (g kg⁻¹) was identical with the control with or without NEAA supplementation. Dietary energy, protein retention efficiency (PRE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were more efficient (P ≤ 0.01) in the lower‐protein diets, while NEAA supplementation significantly (P ≤ 0.01) decreased the efficiency of N utilisation. Reducing dietary CP from 225 to 153 g kg⁻¹ decreased N excretion in a highly significant linear fashion (P ≤ 0.001; r = 0.73). The nutritional and environmental implications of the increased body fat deposition on the one hand and the decreased N excretion on the other in the low‐protein‐fed chickens are discussed and the need to harmonise these apparently conflicting interests is emphasised. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

优质蛋白玉米在产蛋鸡日粮中的应用研究

将157日龄海兰褐商品代产蛋鸡528只,分为3个处理,每个处理4重复,每个重复44只鸡,研究优质蛋白玉米和普通玉米组成的日粮对产蛋鸡生产性能和蛋品质常规指标的影响.处理1饲喂普通玉米日粮（添加赖氨酸）,赖氨酸水为平0.71%;处理2饲喂优质蛋白玉米日粮（等量替换普通玉米）,赖氨酸水平为0.78%;处理3饲喂优质蛋白玉米日粮（等量替换普通米,不添加赖氨酸）,赖氨酸水平为0.69%.试验结果表明：优质蛋白玉米日粮组的日采食量显著高于普通玉米组（P＜0.05）,表明优质蛋白玉米具有较好的适口性;处理3的产蛋率显著高于处理1和处理2（P＜0.05）,处理1和处理2间差异不显著（P＞0.1）;任意两个处理间的平均蛋重、饲料转化率、软破蛋率接近（P＞0.1）.总的来讲,处理3的生产性能优于其它处理组,处理2的生产性能最低;与普通玉米相比,在日粮中使用优质蛋白玉米可提高鸡蛋的蛋黄颜色评分（P＜0.1）,不会降低鸡蛋的哈夫单位和蛋壳强度（P＞0.1）.用优质蛋白玉米等量替换普通玉米,并维持适宜的赖氨酸水平,可提高产蛋高峰鸡的生产性能.     

Characterization of lipids and antioxidant capacity of novel nutraceutical egg products developed with omega‐3‐rich oils

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease has had an unquestioned status of the number one cause of death in the US since 1921. Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 PUFAs) have cardio‐protective benefits. However, egg is typically a poor source of ω‐3 PUFAs and, in general, the American diet is low in these cardio‐protective fatty acids. Novel, nutritionally enhanced egg products were developed by substituting yolk with ω‐3 PUFA‐rich flaxseed, menhaden, algae, or krill oil. Experimental egg products matched composition of hen egg (whole egg). The experimental egg products, mixed whole egg, and a liquid egg product (Egg Beaters^?) were microwave‐cooked and compared. RESULTS: Although fat, protein, and moisture contents of experimental egg products matched (P > 0.05) mixed whole egg, experimental egg products had more (P < 0.05) ω‐3 PUFAs, lower (P < 0.05) ω‐6/ω‐3 ratio, and depending on oil added, a higher (P < 0.05) unsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio compared to mixed whole egg. Triglycerides were the main lipid class in all experimental egg products except those developed with krill oil, which had even more phospholipids than mixed whole egg. Analysis of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances showed that lipid oxidation of experimental egg products was lower (P < 0.05) or similar (P > 0.05) to mixed whole egg, except for experimental egg products with krill oil. However, peroxide value showed that all egg samples had minimal oxidation. Experimental egg products developed with menhaden or flaxseed oil had the highest (P < 0.05) concentration of the antioxidant, ethyoxquin compared to all other egg samples. However, experimental egg products with krill oil likely contained a natural antioxidant, astaxanthin. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated an alternative approach to developing novel, nutraceutical egg products. Instead of dietary modification of chicken feed, yolk substitution with ω‐3 PUFAs oils resulted in enhancement of ω‐3 PUFAs beyond levels possible to achieve by modifying chicken feed. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Nutritional composition of novel nutraceutical egg products developed with omega-3-rich oils

The ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FAs)-fortified eggs are typically developed through alteration of hen feed. The present study aimed at creating ω-3 FAs-fortified egg products via processing. Novel, nutritionally-enhanced egg products were developed by substituting cholesterol-containing yolk with ω-3 FAs-rich flaxseed, menhaden, algae, or krill oil. Experimental egg products (egg whites, ω-3 oils, and annatto), whole egg, and liquid egg product (Egg Beaters™) were microwave-cooked, analyzed, and compared. Protein, fat, and moisture contents of experimental egg products matched (P > 0.05) whole egg. Cholesterol was the highest (P < 0.05) in whole egg (1.35 g/100 g, dry weight basis); while it ranged 0.01-0.24 g/100 g (dry weight basis) in experimental egg products. On a per egg basis, one whole egg contained 216 mg; while experimental egg products ranged 1-38 mg. The total ω-3 FAs content was the lowest (P < 0.05) in whole egg (5.9% of total FAs) and the highest (P < 0.05) in experimental egg products developed with krill oil (46.5%), followed by flax (43.1%), algae (DHASCO-42.5% and DHAS-39.5%), and menhaden oil (27.6%). The essential amino acid (EAA) content of experimental egg products was similar (P > 0.05) to whole egg except methionine, phenylalanine, and valine were generally greater in experimental egg products. Experimental egg products also had similar (P > 0.05) content of non-EAA to whole egg except alanine and glutamic acid were higher (P < 0.05); while arginine and cysteine were generally lower and higher in experimental egg products, respectively. However, total EAA, total non-EAA, and the ratio of total EAA to total AA were similar (P > 0.05) between experimental egg products and whole egg. Whole egg contained more (P < 0.05) Ca, P, and Fe, but less Mg than experimental egg products.