Vet Med - Czech, 2003, 48(1):200 | DOI: 10.17221/5747-VETMED

Egg production, egg quality, and lipid peroxidation status in laying hens maintained at a low ambient temperature (6°C) and fed a vitamin C and vitamin E-supplemented diet

O. Kucuk1, N. Sahin2, K. Sahin1, M. F. Gursu3, F. Gulcu3, M. Ozcelik2, M. Issi4
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey
2 Veterinary Control and Research Institute of Ministry of Agriculture, Elazig, Turkey
3 Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey
4 Department of Internal Disease, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig, Turkey

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (?-tocopherol acetate) on egg production, egg quality, lipid peroxidation status (measured as MDA), and some serum metabolites in laying hens (Hy-Line) maintained at a low ambient temperature (6°C). One hundred and twenty laying hens (18-wk-old) were divided into four groups, 30 hens per group. The laying hens were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid/kg of diet, 250 mg of ?-tocopherol acetate/kg of diet or 250 mg of L-ascorbic acid plus 250 mg of ?-tocopherol acetate/kg of diet. Although feed consumption of the hens was similar (P > 0.05) among treatments, supplemental vitamin C and E significantly increased final body weight, egg production, and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Egg weights were also greater (P < 0.05) in hens supplemented with the combination of vitamin C and E than that of hens supplemented either vitamin or no vitamin (control). Haugh unit did not change upon each vitamin supplementation, but the combination of the vitamin supplement yielded a higher Haugh unit (P < 0.05). Each dietary supplement of vitamin C and vitamin E improved the egg quality (P < 0.05) resulting in a greater specific gravity, thicker egg shell, and heavier egg shell weight. Separately or as a combination, supplemental vitamin C and E decreased MDA, glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations (P < 0.05). Results of the present study showed that supplementing vitamin C and vitamin E, particularly as a combination, improved the performance of cold-stressed laying hens, offering a potential protective management practice in preventing cold stress-related losses in performance of laying hens. Results of the present study also indicated that the effects of vitamin C and vitamin E are additive.

Keywords: cold stress; vitamin C; vitamin E; laying hen; egg production; lipid peroxidation

Published: January 31, 2003  Show citation

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Kucuk O, Sahin N, Sahin K, Gursu MF, Gulcu F, Ozcelik M, Issi M. Egg production, egg quality, and lipid peroxidation status in laying hens maintained at a low ambient temperature (6°C) and fed a vitamin C and vitamin E-supplemented diet. Vet Med - Czech. 2003;48(1-2):200. doi: 10.17221/5747-VETMED.
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