Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Powdered Mulberry Leaves on Egg Production, Egg Quality and Blood Characteristics in Laying Hens

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementation diets of powdered mulberry leaves on egg production, egg quality and blood characteristics in laying hens. Laying hens were fed diets for 30 days containing 0% powdered mulberry leaves (Control), 1% powdered mulberry leaves (T1), 2% powdered mulberry leaves (T2), and 5% powdered mulberry leaves (T3). The egg production, yolk weight and albumen weight were no significant difference among treatment groups. The albumen weight was significantly decreased by the supplementation of powdered mulberry leaves in all treatment groups (P<0.05). The albumen high, yolk color score, egg sell thickness and egg shell breaking strength were no significant difference. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration of control was higher than T3, and the high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentration and glucose of control were lower than treatment groups (P<0.05). The white blood cell (WBC) was significantly increased by the supplementation of powdered mulberry leaves compared to the control (P<0.05).In conclusion, these data indicate that 5% powdered mulberry leaves supplementation was most effective in decreasing total cholesterol and triglyceride and increasing HDL-cholesterol, glucose and WBC.(Key words : powdered mulberry leaves, egg quality, cholesterol, blood characteristics) † To whom correspondence should be addressed : rladudwlr1@ yahoo.co.kr