Acids In Yolk Research Articles

Hen Egg as an Antioxidant Food Commodity: A Review.

Intake of antioxidants through diet is known to be important in reducing oxidative damage in cells and improving human health. Although eggs are known for their exceptional, nutritional quality, they are not generally considered as antioxidant foods. This review aims to establish the importance of eggs as an antioxidant food by summarizing the current knowledge on egg-derived antioxidants. Eggs have various natural occurring compounds including the proteins ovalbumin, ovotransferrin and lysozyme in egg white, as well as phosvitin, carotenoids and free aromatic amino acids in egg yolk. Some lipophilic antioxidants such as vitamin E, carotenoids, selenium, iodine and others can be transferred from feed into egg yolk to produce antioxidant-enriched eggs. The bioactivity of egg antioxidants can be affected by food processing, storage and gastrointestinal digestion. Generally thermal processing methods can promote loss of antioxidant properties in eggs due to oxidation and degradation, whereas gastrointestinal digestion enhances the antioxidant properties, due to the formation of new antioxidants (free amino acids and peptides). In summary, in addition to its well-known nutritional contribution to our diet, this review emphasizes the role of eggs as an important antioxidant food.

Omega-3 fatty acid profile of eggs from laying hens fed diets supplemented with chia, fish oil, and flaxseed.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diets supplemented with fish oil, flaxseed, and chia seed on the omega-3 fatty acid composition and sensory properties of hens' eggs. No significant difference in yolk fat content was found between treatments. The fatty acid composition of egg yolk was significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Inclusion of chia at 300 g/kg into the diet produced eggs with the highest concentration of omega-3 fatty acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were only detected in eggs from laying hens fed the diet supplemented with fish oil. Diet had a significant effect on color, flavor and overall acceptability of eggs. Types and levels of omega-3 fatty acids in feed influence the level of yolk omega-3 fatty acids in egg yolk. Inclusion of chia into the hens' diet significantly increased the concentration of yolk omega-3 fatty acid without significant change in sensory properties.

Dynamic carbon 13 breath tests for the study of liver function and gastric emptying.

In gastroenterological practice, breath tests (BTs) are diagnostic tools used for indirect, non-invasive assessment of several pathophysiological metabolic processes, by monitoring the appearance in breath of a metabolite of a specific substrate. Labelled substrates originally employed radioactive carbon 14 (14C) and, more recently, the stable carbon 13 isotope (13C) has been introduced to label specific substrates. The ingested 13C-substrate is metabolized, and exhaled 13CO2 is measured by mass spectrometry or infrared spectroscopy. Some 13C-BTs evaluate specific (microsomal, cytosolic, and mitochondrial) hepatic metabolic pathways and can be employed in liver diseases (i.e. simple liver steatosis, non-alcoholic steato-hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, drug and alcohol effects).Another field of clinical application for 13C-BTs is the assessment of gastric emptying kinetics in response to liquids (13C-acetate) or solids (13C-octanoic acid in egg yolk or in a pre-packed muffin or the 13C-Spirulina platensis given with a meal or a biscuit). Studies have shown that 13C-BTs, used for gastric emptying studies, yield results that are comparable to scintigraphy and can be useful in detecting either delayed- (gastroparesis) or accelerated gastric emptying or changes of gastric kinetics due to pharmacological effects. Thus, 13C-BTs represent an indirect, cost-effective and easy method of evaluating dynamic liver function and gastric kinetics in health and disease, and several other potential applications are being studied.

Changes in motility, morphology, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity during stages of cryopreservation of buck sperm.

Changes in sperm structure and function occur during the processing of semen. The present study was designed to investigate the effect on buck sperm during different stages of semen preparation including dilution, cooling, equilibration and freeze-thawing. Semen ejaculates from three mature bucks (replicates = 5) were diluted with tris-citric acid egg yolk glycerol extender at 37 ºC, cooled to 4 ºC over 90 min, equilibrated at 4 ºC for 2 h, transferred to 0.5 mL straws, placed in nitrogen vapour, frozen and thawed and then analysed. Sperm samples were assessed for percentage motility, acrosomal and plasma membrane integrity, live sperm, and morphology after dilution, cooling, equilibration and thawing. Mean percentage motility after dilution (86.0 ± 1.4%) was reduced significantly (p < 0.05) due to cooling and equilibration (77.6 ± 1.3% and 74.6 ± 1.4% respectively); furthermore, it decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after freezing and thawing (42.3 ± 2.5%). Mean percentage of live sperm was higher (p < 0.05) after dilution (89.3 ± 1.4%)compared with cooling (84.8 ± 1.8%) and equilibration (80.2 ± 2.5%) and further reduced (p < 0.05) after freezing and thawing (56.0 ± 3.4%). Sperm morphology dropped significantly (p < 0.05) from 96.4 ± 0.3% after dilution to 88.8 ± 1.3% at cooling and further decreased (p < 0.05) after freezing and thawing (81 ± 1.9%). Mean percentage of sperm with normal plasma membrane after dilution (82.2 ± 1.1%) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) at cooling or equilibration (73.8 ± 1.8) and further decreased (p < 0.05) after freezing and thawing (50.1 ± 2.9%). The percentage of sperm with normal acrosomes did not differ significantly due to dilution, cooling or equilibration (85.8 ± 1.7%, 83.2 ± 1.6%, 81.7 ± 1.8%) but was significantly reduced after freezing and thawing (45.2 ± 2.8%). In conclusion, frozen thawed sperm showed maximum damage to motility, morphology, plasma membrane and acrosome integrity following cooling.

The effect of vitamin E on laying performance and egg quality in laying hens fed corn dried distillers grains with solubles

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E on laying performance, egg quality, egg fatty acid composition, antioxidant capacity, and several biochemical parameters of laying hens fed corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) during the laying period (40 to 63 wk of age). A total of 360 Hy-Line Variety Brown hens were randomly assigned to 6 groups, consisting of 6 replicates with 10 hens each. Hens were allocated to diets 1 through 6 in a 3 × 2 factorial design. The dietary treatments included 3 levels of DDGS (0, 10, and 20%) and 2 levels of vitamin E (0 and 200 mg/kg). The results indicated that yolk color and eggshell thickness increased with increasing DDGS (P < 0.05). However, increasing DDGS to 20% in laying hen diets significantly reduced feed conversion (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 200 mg/kg of vitamin E significantly improved egg production and yolk percentage (P < 0.05). Increasing the dietary levels of vitamin E caused a decrease in cholesterol and an increase in the α-tocopherol concentration of the egg yolk and serum (P < 0.05). Diets supplemented with DDGS decreased the proportion of saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) and increased the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk (P < 0.05). Supplementation with high levels of vitamin E decreased malondialdehyde and increased glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide dismutase concentrations of the egg yolk and serum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that DDGS was successfully fed to laying hens at levels up to 10% without adverse effects on laying performance. Additionally, vitamin E supplementation improved egg production and egg quality and provided health benefits to laying hens.

Effects of increasing concentrations of corn distillers dried grains with solubles on chemical composition and nutrient content of egg

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of feeding high concentrations of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on chemical composition and selected nutrient content of egg yolk. Four isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 0, 17, 35, or 50% corn DDGS. A total of two hundred forty 54-wk-old Single-Comb White Leghorn laying hens were randomly allotted to 2 birds per cage with 3 consecutive cages representing an experimental unit (EU). Each EU was randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments according to a completely randomized design. Hens were fed for a 24-wk experimental period after transition feeding to gradually increase corn DDGS inclusion over a 4-wk period. Two sets of experimental diets were formulated to meet or exceed the NRC nutrient recommendations for laying hens. Each diet formula was fed for 12 wk. Chemical composition and nutritional components in egg yolk were measured every 2 wk. The results showed that egg yolk from hens fed a DDGS-containing diet tended to have higher fat content and lower protein content. Total polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly increased by the DDGS diet. The contents of choline and cholesterol were initially higher in the 50% DDGS treatment group, but were not different in the later period, especially during the last 4 wk. Lutein content increased linearly as DDGS level increased. The results indicated that feeding a high level of DDGS can increase the content of lutein and polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk, but may not affect the content of cholesterol and choline.

71 BOVINE SPERM DEATH KINETICS: CHANGES IN MOTILITY, ACROSOMES, AND PLASMA MEMBRANE

Extent and timing of alterations in structures and functions of sperm after its placement in the female reproductive tract are important for successful fertilization. To our knowledge, the few reports are available on the kinetics of alterations in bovine sperm structures and functions during pathway to their death. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the changes in motility, acrosome and plasma membrane asymmetry in fresh and frozen–thawed semen during incubation at 37°C over the period of 24 h. Semen was collected from 3 breeding beef bulls, pooled, and considered as one replicate (total replicates = 5). Each pooled semen sample was diluted in Tris-citric acid egg yolk glycerol extender (pH 6.8), cooled to +4°C over 90 min, and then cryopreserved by a programmable cell freezer. Fresh (pooled semen) and frozen–thawed semen were incubated at 37°C for 24 h. Each semen sample was evaluated for sperm motility with computer-assisted semen analysis and acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane asymmetry using fluorescein isothiocyanate-peanut agglutinin/propidium iodide and Annexin V/propidium iodide assays, respectively, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h of incubation at 37°C, with a flow cytometer. Statistical analysis was conducted using PROC MIXED model in statistical analysis system as 2 (semen types) × 6 (times) factorial model, using time as repeated measure. Progressive motility was higher (P &lt; 0.05) in fresh than in frozen–thawed semen until 6 h. Progressive motility declined (P &lt; 0.05) below the threshold level (i.e. 30%) much later (12 h) in fresh as compared with frozen–thawed semen (2 h). However, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane asymmetry deteriorated (P &lt; 0.05) below threshold at the same time interval (2 h) in both fresh and frozen–thawed semen. Viable sperm (AN–/PI–) remained higher (P &lt; 0.05) during the first 6 h in fresh than in frozen–thawed semen and declined (P &lt; 0.05) below the threshold at 12 h in fresh and at 6 h in frozen–thawed semen. In fresh semen, the necrotic sperm (AN–/PI+) population increased (P &lt; 0.05) over time and reached maximum (97%) at 24 h. In frozen–thawed semen, a mixed population of late apoptotic (53%) and necrotic (34%) sperm was found at 24 h. In conclusion, the alterations in sperm motility, acrosomes, plasma membrane integrity, and asymmetry were slower in fresh than in frozen–thawed semen. Fresh sperm followed necrosis and frozen–thawed sperm underwent necrosis and apoptosis-like pathways, respectively. This study was supported by the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

A strategy for improvement of postthaw quality of bison sperm

The objective was to improve the postthaw quality of bison semen using zwitterion (ZI)-based extenders, glycerol addition at a lower temperature (4 °C), adding reduced glutathione (GSH) in extender, or treating bison sperm with cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) before freezing. Postthaw sperm motility and structural characteristics were analyzed using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer and flow cytometer respectively, at 0 and 3 hours postthaw incubation at 37 °C. In experiment 1, each ejaculate (N = 11) was diluted in Triladyl extender (control) or in ZI extenders (Tes-Tris or HEPES-Tris). In addition, glycerol in semen was added either at 37 °C or 4 °C before cryopreservation. Extenders had no significant effect on postthaw sperm motilities at 0 hour. However, sperm velocity parameters were higher (P < 0.05) in ZI extenders than in Triladyl. Sperm population with intact plasma membrane (IPM) and acrosomes (IACR) were higher in Triladyl than in ZI extenders (P < 0.05). Postthaw sperm total and progressive motilities, average path velocity, straight-line velocity, IPM, and IPM-IACR did not improve with the addition of glycerol at 4 °C. In experiment 2, semen was diluted (50 × 106 sperm per mL) in Triladyl extender containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mM GSH (an antioxidant) at 37 °C. Postthaw sperm motility and structural characteristics at 0 hour and percentage declined after 3 hour incubation, but did not differ because of GSH in the extender (P > 0.05). In experiment 3, fresh bison sperm (100 × 106 sperm in 1 mL) were pretreated with 0, 1, 2, or 3 mg/mL of CLC at 22 °C for 15 minutes and diluted to 50 × 106 sperm per mL in Tris-citric acid–egg yolk–glycerol extender before cryopreservation. The CLC pretreated sperm had higher (P < 0.05) postthaw total and progressive motilities, IPM, and IACR at 0 hour and less percentage of decline in these characteristics after 3 hour postthaw incubation. In conclusion, zwitterion extenders (Tes-Tris and HEPES-Tris), temperatures of glycerol addition, and GSH in extender did not significantly improve postthaw quality of bison sperm. However, pretreatment with CLC significantly improved postthaw quality of bison sperm, which should enhance its use in assisted reproductive technologies.

Nutritional values of the lipid composition of the free-range chicken eggs

Poultry eggs are eaten in most areas of the world with fewer social taboos associated with them than pigs and cattle. The most commonly used bird eggs are those from chicken. In Nigeria, the domestic foul dominates the poultry industry. Of the 120 million indigenous poultry population in Nigeria, the domestic fowl constitutes about 91 % of this. For this reason, the present work tried to evaluate the nutritional levels of the lipid composition of the free-range fertilized cooked chicken eggs. Five eggs were involved in the study and they were collected at once. The following experimental procedures were carried out on the yolk and the albumen using standard analytical methods: crude fat determination, preparation of methyl esters and fatty acid analysis. Also determined was the quality assurance of the determinations to ensure their accuracies, calculation of uncertainty interval percentage (UIP) particularly for the fatty acid values. Statistical evaluations carried out included: linear correlation coefficient (rxy), coefficient of determination (rxy 2 ), linear regression coefficient (Rxy), coefficient of alienation (CA) and index of forecasting efficiency (IFE). The study reports the nutritional values of the lipid composition of the free-range chicken eggs analyzing separately the yolk and the albumen. The yolk was 32.8 % of the total egg weight while the albumen was 53.8 %. The total crude fat in yolk was 22.9 g/100 g whilst it was 0.001 g/100 g in albumen. The total fatty acid in yolk was 19.0 g/100 g; it was 0.00083 g/100 g in albumen. The SFA level was 35.0 % in total fatty acids in yolk; it was 31.8 % in albumen. Total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in yolk was 43.5 % but 42.9 % in albumen. Total n-6 PUFA was 21.8 % in yolk and 25.2 % in albumen. The PUFA/SFA was 0.62 in yolk and 0.79 in albumen. Lecithin was high in yolk [115 mg/100 g; 46.0 %] but at trace level [23.3e-3 mg/100 g; 63.1 %] in albumen. Sterol was not detected in the albumen but total sterol in the yolk was 386 mg/100 g having cholesterol level of 86.3 mg/100 g (22.4 %). The levels of MUFA + PUFA in yolk was 65.3 % and 68.1 % in albumen showing that the chicken egg could be classified as being made up majorly of unsaturated oil. Free-range laying hens are given outdoor access instead of being contained in crowded cages; this gives them wide range of various feeding opportunities. This report showed the free-range chicken eggs yolk to be far more concentrated in crude fat; total fatty acids; SFA; MUFA; n-6 PUFA; high PUFA/SFA; high lecithin; high cephalin; high stigmasterol and cholesterol than the corresponding albumen. The cholesterol level was also below the average recommended level.

Separation of Phospholipids from Hen Egg Yolk by Short Packed Silica Gel Column Chromatography

Short packed silica gel column chromatography has been performed to optimize the production of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) from hen egg yolk with very low or no toxic solvents. The effects of silica type, sample loading amount, dimension of the glass chromatotube, and mobile phase compositions were investigated and high separation efficiency was achieved: gradient elution as 200 mL ethanol followed by 300 mL 95% ethanol to fractionate PE and PC after neutral lipids (NL) removed by 120 mL ethyl acetate, 40 mm silica gel (54 to 74 μm) bed height of the chromatotube with 22 mm inner dia (ID), and 0.25 g sample loading amount. By this procedure, 3.69 g PE and 2.88 g PC per 100 g egg yolk lipids were obtained, respectively. The refined PE and PC were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography/ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV) with purity over 96%. The fatty acids in egg yolk revealed that PE and PC characterized higher ratios of n- 6/n- 3 (PE, 7.41; PC, 8.99). 18:2 n- 6 of PC (15.21%) predominated over PE (10.29%), whereas the level of 20:4 n- 6 of PC (8.78%) was lower than PE (15.67%).

Effects of inositol, inositol-generating phytase B applied alone, and in combination with 6-phytase A to phosphorus-deficient diets on laying performance, eggshell quality, yolk cholesterol, and fatty acid deposition in laying hens

Phytase B, a product of Aspergillus niger phyB gene expressed in Trichoderma reesei, which increased myo-inositol concentrations in 20 mM sodium phytate solution 7.5-fold during 120-min incubation, a combination of phytase B with 6-phytase A, and pure myo-inositol were tested as feed supplements in Bovans Brown laying hens. In the 2-factorial experiment (2×5), birds from wk 50 to 62 were fed 2 basal diets, corn-soybean (CSM) or wheat-soybean (WSM), using 12 one-hen cages per treatment. For both basal diets, the dietary treatments included negative control (0.08% nonphytate P in CSM, 0.13% nonphytate P in WSM; NC); internal control groups, NC+0.04% nonphytate P from monocalcium phosphate, MCP (IC); NC+0.1% of myo-inositol (Inos), NC+phytase B at 1,300 units of phytase B-acid phosphatase activity (AcPU)/kg (PhyB), NC+phytase B at 1,300 AcPU/kg+6-phytase A at 300 FTU/kg (PhyA+B). Feed intake, laying performance, and eggshell quality were determined. The total lipid and cholesterol contents as well as fatty acid profile were assessed in egg yolks collected from hens fed CSM diets, as was fatty acid profile. The hens fed the WSM diet consumed significantly more feed, laid a higher mass of eggs daily with higher mean weights, and had a higher hen-day egg production than the birds receiving the CSM diets. Similarly, higher values for yolk weights, shell weights, shell thickness, shell density, and breaking strengths were determined in the eggs laid by the hens fed the WSM diets. In hens fed either the CSM diets with phytase B alone, or in combination with 6-phytase A, enhanced feed intakes, egg mass, and hen-day egg production were recorded. Phytases also enhanced the eggshell quality parameters in the hens fed both variants of the diets. Phytase B alone, or in combination with 6-phytase A, reduced the total lipid and cholesterol concentrations in egg yolks collected from the hens fed the CSM diets, whereas the combination of both phytases improved the n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio. In the CSM diets, the supplemental myo-inositol suppressed feed intakes, reduced egg production, had no effect on eggshell quality and reduced the deposition of eicosanoid fatty acids in yolks. When comparing the effects of feeding MCP, myo-inositol, and phytases on the nutritional quality of the eggs laid by the hens fed phosphorus-deficient CSM diets, it seems that the enhancements in nutritional quality cannot be attributed solely to higher phosphorus level or higher concentrations of myo-inositol.

Effects of graded replacement of soybean meal by sunflower seed meal in laying hen diets on hen performance, egg quality, egg fatty acid composition, and cholesterol content

SUMMARY Protein feed sources are becoming more and more limited worldwide. Soybean meal, as the primary and most reliable protein source, is becoming increasingly expensive; therefore, there is a need to look for economic alternative protein sources. This trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of graded replacement of soybean meal by sunflower seed meal (SSM) on the performance, egg quality, egg fatty acid composition, and cholesterol content in Rugao laying hens (a local breed). One hundred sixty 28-wk-old laying hens were randomly assigned to 4 groups of 40 birds. Each group was made up of 4 replicate subgroups, with 10 laying hens each. All birds were acclimated to the basal diet for 1 wk. Experimental diets contained 0 (control), 8.26, 16.52, and 24.84% SSM (ME, 8.50 MJ/kg; CP, 33.00%; Ca, 0.26%; P, 1.03%) replacing soybean meal. Feed and water were offered ad libitum for 6 wk. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed among treatments in the performance and egg quality of laying hens. The concentrations of saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in yolks were consistent among the diets, except that the percentage of C17:0 decreased in the yolks of birds fed the experimental diets (P < 0.05). However, after 6 wk of feeding, the egg yolk cholesterol concentrations of birds in the experimental groups were lower than those of birds in the control group (P < 0.05). Thus, it could be feasible to use SSM in laying hen diets as an available ingredient replacing soybean meal, without affecting performance or egg fatty acid content while reducing the cholesterol level in the yolk and the production cost.

Effect of different dietary concentrations of brown marine algae (Sargassum dentifebium) prepared by different methods on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin of laying hens

The effect of different concentrations (0%, 3% and 6%) of brown marine algae (BMA, Sargassum dentifebium) prepared according to different methods (sun-dried, SBMA; boiled, BBMA; autoclaved, ABMA) on plasma and yolk lipid profiles, carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin in egg yolks was studied in hens aged from 23 to 42 weeks (30 hens per treatment). We determined the fatty acid profiles in BMA and in the egg yolk of hens fed different levels of BMA prepared according to different methods. In addition, plasma and yolk lipid profiles, yolk total carotene, and lutein plus zeaxanthin were determined at week 42 of age. Plasma and yolk cholesterol were significantly lower in groups fed diets containing either 3% or 6% BMA than in the control group, but high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly decreased as BMA concentration increased. There was a significant similar decline in yolk triglycerides with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA in the laying hen diet. Palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid (SFA) found in BMA and oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6) were the main unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), while there was a significant increase in palmitic acid in egg yolk when BMA was included at 6%. There was a significant increase in oleic acid (omega-9) when feed containing 3% BMA was given compared to the control group, but this decreased with a further increase in BMA. Linoleic acid (omega-6) also significantly decreased with inclusion of either 3% or 6% BMA. There was a significant increase in total carotene and lutein plus zeaxanthin in the laying hen eggs as a result of feeding diets containing 3% and 6% BMA.

Effect of dietary Rhodobacter capsulatus on lipid fractions and egg‐yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary Rhodobacter capsulatus on lipid fractions and egg-yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens. Thirty-six laying hens (30 weeks old) were randomly assigned into two dietary groups fed diets with (0.04%) or without (control) R.capsulatus for a 60-day feeding trial. Dietary R.capsulatus decreased (p < 0.05) serum and hepatic cholesterol and increased (p < 0.05) the excreta cholesterol, and resultant lower (p < 0.05) cholesterol contents in egg yolk. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and ratio to saturated fatty acids in egg yolk was improved (p < 0.05) by dietary R.capsulatus. The concentration of hepatic bile acid was increased (p < 0.05) and excreta bile acid was decreased (p < 0.01) in the laying hens fed R.capsulatus diet. The incorporation of 1-(14) C-palmitic acid into hepatic lipids and lipid fractions was increased (p < 0.05) in laying hens fed R.capsulatus diet. Moreover, dietary R.capsulatus did not appear to cause any adverse effects on laying hen performances. Therefore, dietary supplementation of R.capsulatus in layer diets may be a feasible means of producing eggs with lower cholesterol and higher PUFA contents for health conscious consumers.

Modulation of Plasma Levels and Percentages of Incorporation of ω-3 PUFAs in Egg Yolk under the Influence of Supplementation Sources Rich in Omega 3 to Diet of Laying Hens

o Abstract: Hundred forty-four Shaver White laying hens were used over a 4 week experimental period to investigate the effect of 3% of soybean oil, corn oil (MIL), canola oil, flaxseed oil (LIN), salmon oil (SAL) or tuna and sardine oil (SR/AT) added to the diets, upon the fatty acid egg yolk composition, blood plasma levels and incorporation time of each fatty acid into the egg yolk. Hens were allocated into 72 cages and the experimental design was a 6 x 6 randomized factorial model. Hens fed 3% of different oils, responded with increased polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 (ω-3 PUFAs), except for corn oil. The addition of flaxseed, soybean or corn oil into the diet increased the PUFAs levels into the egg yolk and in the blood plasma. Adding tuna and sardine oil into the diet increased the concentration of yolk saturated fatty acids. The levels of ω-3 PUFAs were increased in the tuna and sardine oil treatment, while the flaxseed oil increased the plasma fatty acids. The deposition of 349.28 mg/yolk of α-linolenic fatty acids (ALA) was higher in the group fed LIN, while the higher equal to 157.13 mg DHA/yolk was observed in group SR/AT. In the plasma, deposition increased from 0.33% (MIL) for 6.29% ALA (LIN), while that of DHA increase of 0.47% (MIL) for 4.24% (SAL) and 4.48% (SR/AT) and of 0.98% (MIL) for 6.14% (SR/AT) and 8.44% (LIN) of ω-3 PUFAs. The percentage of EPA into the yolk and plasma was higher for the hens fed 3% tuna and sardine oil diet, as well as the levels of yolk DHA. The concentration of DHA into the plasma was higher for the salmon and tuna/sardine oil treatments. The PUFAs yolk decreased during the first eight days of experiment, while the ω-3 PUFAs increased during the same period. The concentration of ALA increased until ten days of experiment, while the percentage of EPA and DHA increased up to the eighth experimental day.

Cryopreservation of bull semen shipped overnight and its effect on post-thaw sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and normal acrosomes

In the Canadian Animal Genetic Resource Program, bull semen is donated in frozen or fresh (diluted) states. This study was designed to assess the cryopreservation of diluted bull semen shipped at 4 °C overnight, and to determine the post-thaw quality of shipped semen using different straw volumes and freezing rates. Semen was collected from four breeding bulls (three ejaculates per bull). Semen was diluted in Tris–citric acid–egg yolk–glycerol (TEYG) extender, cooled to 4 °C and frozen as per routine (control semen). After cooling to 4 °C, a part of semen was removed and shipped overnight to the research laboratory via express courier (shipped semen). Semen was packaged in 0.25 or 0.5 ml straws and frozen in a programmable freezer using three freezing rates, i.e., −10, −25 or −40 °C/min. Control semen was also shipped to the research laboratory. Post-thaw sperm motility characteristics were assessed using CASA, and post-thaw sperm plasma membrane, mitochondrial membrane potential and normal acrosomes were assessed using flow cytometry. Post-thaw sperm quality was greater in shipped semen as compared to control ( P < 0.001). The shipped semen packaged in 0.25 ml straws had better post-thaw sperm quality than in 0.5 ml straws ( P < 0.001). Freezing rate had no effect on post-thaw sperm quality. In conclusion, bull semen can be shipped overnight for subsequent cryopreservation and gene banking. Overnight shipping of semen was found advantageous for bull semen cryopreservation. Semen packaging in 0.25 ml straws yielded better post-thaw quality than 0.5 ml straws.

CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WHOLE EGGS FROM AVIAN SPECIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Egg weight and egg component, chemical composition, fatty acids and cholesterol, amino acids and minerals content in conventional eggs (ostrich, duck, hen and quail) were studied. Results indicated that, the ostrich egg had highest egg weight (g), and so had highest percent of weight and shell, while duck eggs showed highest percent of yolk. For chemical composition, Ostrich egg have had more highest moisture, carbohydrates and cholesterol contents, while highest values of protein, lipid and total ash were obtained by duck egg (at wet weight basis). Oleic, palmitic, linoleic, stearic and palmitoleic acids were the major fatty acids in egg yolk of all studied eggs. The hen egg had highest oleic and stearic acid, while duck egg had highest palmitic acid. The highest linoleic acid was obtained by quail egg and the highest palmitoleic acid was found by ostrich egg. Concerning amino acids content, glutamic acid had the highest one in the protein composition followed by aspartic acid and leucine in all studied eggs. The highest values of aspartic and leucine were obtained by hen eggs, while the highest values of glutamic acid were obtained by ostrich egg. Concerning minerals content, the ostrich egg had the highest values of iron content. The duck egg had highest values of sodium, potassium and zinc content, while the highest values of magnesium and phosphorus were obtained by hen eggs. Finally the highest calcium content was obtained by quail eggs.

Effect the powderd Nigella sativa L. seeds supplementation in hens layer diet on egg characteristics and some biochemical blood parameters

The aim of this study was the study the effect of supplementation of hens layer ration with 3% of Nigella sativa seeds on egg characteristics and some biochemical blood parameters . Atotal of 40 Isa brown birds of 30 at age were randomly divided into two groups(20 hens for each group) .The first group (control) feeding on standerd diet along the expermintal period .The second group (treatment) feeding on standerd diet with 3% of Nigella sativa along the expermintal period . The chemical egg charactaries included the percentage of chemical analysis for white and egg yolk in the two groups were moisture,ash,lipid,protein, charbohydrates, cholesterol concentration,high density lipo protein,low density lipo protein and free fatty acid in egg yolk. The biochemical blood parameters included cholesterol concentration ,high and low density lipo proteins ,total protein,uric acid concentration and liver enzymes concentration GOT,GPT,ALP. The data showed there was no significant differences(p&gt;0.05) in the percentage of chemical analysis of egg white between two groups and in the percentage of moisture and ash in the egg yolk in the two treatments.highly significant in the charbohydrates and protein in the egg yolk in the group which treated with 3% of Nigella sativa. The data obtained to the significant reduction in the cholesterol concentration and free fatty acid and low density lipo protein in egg yolk in the treatment group compared with control,higly significant (p&lt;0.05) in high density lipo proteins in the egg yolk of treatment group. In the biochemical blood parameters the result showed to the present of significant reduction in the cholesterol concentration ,low density lipoproteins and liver enzymes GOT,GPT and highly significant in high density lipoproteins,total blood protein and ALP enzyme in the treatment group compared with the control. This study showed to that the addition of 3%Nigella sativa seeds to the hens layer ration lead to reduction in the cholesterol concentration and lipid in eggs and blood and increase in protein concentration in egg and blood .The use of Nigella sativa as feed additives lead to improved the productional and physiological performance in the poultry,in addition to that the safe the customer from the artificial and the chemical materials which added to the poultry ration for improve the production from egg and meat.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of karaya saponin in Japanese laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The effect of karaya saponin supplementation on the serum and egg yolk cholesterol and fatty acid composition in egg yolk were investigated in Japanese quails. A total of 80 Japanese quails aged 5 weeks were equally divided into four groups of 20. Four levels (0, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg feed) of karaya saponin were included in the basal diet and experiment was lasted for 6 weeks. The cholesterol fractions in the egg yolk and serum were measured by enzymatic assay, and the fatty acid composition in egg yolk was determined by gas chromatography. The results revealed that the supplementation of 75 mg/kg karaya saponin significantly reduced (p < 0.05) cholesterol and triglycerides concentration in serum and egg yolk. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was increased, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and the atherogenic index were decreased (p < 0.05) by the dietary supplementations. Hepatic cholesterol was reduced (p < 0.05) by the 25 mg/kg karaya saponin. A higher degree of yolk colour was improved (p < 0.05) when 75 mg/kg saponin was supplemented in the diet. The concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in egg yolk was increased (p < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner in quails fed the supplemented diet than the control diet. The ratio of PUFA to saturated fatty acids in egg yolk was improved (p < 0.05) by 75 mg/kg feed karaya saponin-supplemented diet. Therefore, the dietary supplementation of 75 mg/kg karaya saponin may be a feasible means of producing quail eggs with lower cholesterol and higher PUFA content for health conscious consumers.

Effect of broodstock diet on the fecundity and biochemical composition of eggs of the Patagonian red octopus (Enteroctopus megalocyathus Gould 1852)

Twelve females of the Patagonian red octopus Enteroctopus megalocyathus, of 1.4 ± 0.2 kg, were maintained at 12 ºC under three conditioning treatments: T1 (F10%), frozen fish at 10% daily body weight (bwt d–1); T2 (FC (3:1) 10%), mix (3:1) of frozen fish and fresh crab at 10% bwt d–1; and T3 (F7.5%), frozen fish at 7.5% bwt d–1. Egg laying was observed after four months of conditioning, when from 545 to 1100 ºC days had been reached, and when females had increased 1.5 times in body weight. Absolute fecundity reached 2129 eggs (±1182) per female in treatments T1 and T2, whereas in T3 fecundity reached only 56 eggs. The lowest values of perivitelline protein were obtained in T1 and T2, while total lipid content in the yolk was similar among treatments. The most frequent fatty acids in egg yolk were 16:0, 17:0, 17:1, 18:0, 20:1, 20:4n-6, 23:0, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3, and 22:6n-3. Significant differences in fatty acid contents among treatments were observed only for 16:1 and 22:5n-3. The results showed that females can be conditioned for egg production even when fed a diet lacking crustaceans, and that a dietary reduction of 7.5% bwt d–1 diminished fecundity without affecting egg quality in terms of their biochemical composition.