The Effect of Ursolic Acid Addition into High-Energy Laying Hen Diet on Performance, Egg Quality Parameters, Serum Lipid Profile and Liver Fat Rate

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of ursolic acid (UA) at different ratios (0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5%) supplementation into high-energy laying hen diet on performance, egg quality parameters, serum lipid profile, some liver enzymes and liver fat ratio. A total of 120 Lohman LSL laying hens, 70 weeks old, were used in present study. The animals were divided into 5 groups and each group consisted of six subgroups. In the experiment, the control group was fed with basal feed, and the treatment groups were fed with high-energy (HE) diets including 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5% UA, respectively. Experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Egg yield decreased in high energy feed groups except HE + 1.5% UA group. Egg weight was found to be highest in the HE + 1.5% UA group. Addition of UA into feed improved the feed conversion ratio (FCR). It was determined that liver fat ratio was higher in the group fed with HE feed (P