Cholesterol concentration of egg yolk and blood plasma and performance of laying hens as influenced by dietary alpha-ketoisocaproic acid.
Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of supplemental alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) or Leu on layer performance and plasma and egg cholesterol levels. In the first experiment, 0, .09, or .27% KIC and .09 or .27% Leu were fed to 62-wk-old laying hens. In a second experiment, the same levels plus another level of .54% KIC and .54% Leu were fed to 32-wk-old hens for an 8-wk period. The basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with .27% KIC or .27% Leu were continued for 20 wk to determine the long-term effects of these supplements. In a third experiment, hens were fed 0, .1, .2, or .4% KIC for 8 wk. The addition of KIC and Leu to the hen diets did not affect percentage egg production, egg weight, shell thickness, or Haugh units. In Experiment 1, .27% KIC and .09% Leu significantly increased BW gain. Neither KIC or Leu significantly affected BW gain in Experiment 2 when measured at 8 or 28 wk. In the third experiment, diets supplemented with KIC increased significantly BW gain. In Experiment 1, .09% KIC and .09% Leu significantly reduced egg cholesterol at 4 wk. After 8 wk, .27% KIC reduced egg cholesterol significantly below the controls. No effect on plasma or egg cholesterol was observed in Experiments 2 and 3.
Beyer
R S
RS
Department of Poultry Science, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Jensen
L S
LS
D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002208:Caproates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry*; D004531:Eggs / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D007651:Keto Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007930:Leucine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects*; D011897:Random Allocation; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D002208:Caproates; D007651:Keto Acids; C013082:alpha-ketoisocaproic acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D007930:Leucine