@mardi.gov.my
Research Officer, Livestock Science Research Centre
Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute
Poultry and aqua nutrition
Scopus Publications
Scholar Citations
Scholar h-index
Scholar i10-index
S. T. Yong, H. Y. Tan, N. Samat, and H. K. Wong
CSIRO Publishing
Context Reducing egg cholesterol has been a major goal of many researchers over four decades. Monacolin K, a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, identical to the active ingredient in the prescription statin drug lovastatin, could be a promising feed supplement for layers. Aims To determine the effects of high monacolin K red yeast rice (RYR) supplement on feed intake, egg production, egg cholesterol content, plasma lipid and enzyme metabolites in laying hens. Methods Hyline brown layers were fed RYR supplement at 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6% of the diet for 6 weeks. Total and daily feed intake, egg production, egg weights and feed conversion ratio between the RYR treated groups and the control were compiled. Egg cholesterol and egg quality at the 3rd and 6th week of the feeding trial were analysed. Plasma lipids and enzymes were sampled towards the end of the trial. Key results Egg cholesterol were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.8 and 1.6% RYR supplemented group. Supplementation with 0.8% RYR resulted in 11.16% reduction in egg cholesterol at the 3rd week with no further improvements with longer feeding. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in total and daily feed intake, egg production, egg weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the RYR treated and control group. Total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.8 and 1.6% RYR supplemented group when compared with the control group. RYR supplementation exert no significant differences (P > 0.05) in plasma enzyme levels. Conclusions The present study suggests that RYR supplementation of 0.8% resulted in egg cholesterol reduction by 11.16% with no adverse effects on laying hens. Implications The feeding trial showed that RYR supplement can be used as a feed additive in layer diets to lower egg cholesterol, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides with no adverse effects on layer egg production and plasma enzymes over the feeding period.
Shirley Gee Hoon Tang, Chin Chin Sieo, Ramasamy Kalavathy, Wan Zuhainis Saad, Su Ting Yong, Hee Kum Wong, and Yin Wan Ho
Wiley
A 16-wk feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a prebiotic, isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), a probiotic, PrimaLac®, and their combination as a synbiotic on the chemical compositions of egg yolks and the egg quality of laying hens. One hundred and sixty 16-wk-old Hisex Brown pullets were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet + 1% IMO (PRE), (iii) basal diet + 0.1% PrimaLac® (PRO), and (iv) basal diet + 1% IMO + 0.1% PrimaLac® (SYN). PRE, PRO, or SYN supplementation not only significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the egg yolk cholesterol (24- and 28-wk-old) and total saturated fatty acids (SFA; 28-, 32-, and 36-wk-old), but also significantly (P < 0.05) increased total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA; 28-, 32-, and 36-wk-old), total omega 6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid levels in the eggs (28-wk-old). However, the total lipids, carotenoids, and tocopherols in the egg yolks were similar among all dietary treatments in the 24-, 28-, 32-, and 36-wk-old hens. Egg quality (Haugh unit, relative weights of the albumen and yolk, specific gravity, shell thickness, and yolk color) was not affected by PRE, PRO, or SYN supplementation. The results indicate that supplementations with IMO and PrimaLac® alone or in combination as a synbiotic might be useful for improving the cholesterol content and modifying the fatty acid compositions of egg yolk without affecting the quality of eggs from laying hens between 24 and 36 wk of age.