Effects of supplemental copper and chromium on the serum and egg traits of laying hens

Abstract

1. This study investigated the effects of supplemental copper and chromium on the serum and egg traits of laying hens using 144 forty-five-week-old White Leghorn layers. The hens were randomly assigned into 9 groups to conduct this 3 copper (0, 125 and 250 mg/kg as copper sulphate) x 3 chromium (0, 800 and 1600 microg/kg as chromium picolinate) factorial trial. 2. Egg yolk cholesterol was significantly reduced by supplementary copper (Cu) and chromium (Cr) and there was an interaction between Cu and Cr supplementation. Egg production, egg weight, eggshell strength and eggshell thickness were not influenced by Cu or Cr supplementation. 3. Serum cholesterol concentration was decreased by Cu supplementation and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was reduced markedly by both Cu and Cr. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly increased by Cu and Cr. Interaction occurred between Cu and Cr in the VLDL and HDL parameters. Supplmentary Cu also reduced VLDL-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and enhanced HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), while supplemental Cr had a contrary effect on these two parameters. 4. If minimum egg cholesterol content is the criterion, this study suggests that 125 mg/kg of Cu together with 800 to 1600 microg/kg of Cr provide adequate supplementary concentrations for laying hens.

The Productive Performance and Immunological Traits of Local Chicken Strain by Using Natural Enzymes (Plant Papain) and Remnants of Plant Papaya. 1- Effect of Papaya Latex on Laying Period

“…The result was supported with Lien and Wu (2012) who found that papain supplementation to diet of laying hens were 64.84, 64.47 and 65.48 g egg weight for 0, 0.14 and 0.28 g papain/kg feed, respectively. The increase in EW and EM throughout the trial may have been due to limited amino acid (Papaya latex proteases are composed of four cysteine proteases which contribute 69-89% of total protein).…”

“…The highest numerically value was for PL3 (77.03%). These findings were confirmed upon examination of PL on laying hens (Lien and Wu, 2012). In the present experiment, Increase in the EP in the treated groups with the PL could have been due to its antibacterial, antibiotic, antioxidant and antifungal effects which can lead to decrease in the harmful microbes of digestive system, improve their immunity and performance.…”

“…Papain is a protease enzyme that hydrolyzes proteins to short peptides in diet, which is the key factor to increase protein digestibility and fast absorption, and helps to increase growth factors (Singh et al, 2011 andWong et al, 1996). On the other hand, Lien and Wu (2012) indicated that papain supplementation increased FI than those fed control diet.…”

“…Lien and Wu (2012) demonstrated that papain not only contains protease, but also phospholipase. Saha and Paul (2013) reported that papain helps the body to digest proteins, fats and sugars while amylase digests carbohydrates and sugars.…”

“…They added that papaya enzyme help us get the most nutrition from the food and may ease the bloating ,gas and digestive disturbances and/or may increase immune system function. Lien and Wu (2012) found that papain not only contains protease, but also phospholipase. Papain could enhance animal immunity, also showed reduced serum cholesterol.…”