Flaxseed cake contains high levels of phenolic
compounds, which have numerous biological
activities, as well as a considerable amount of
omega-3 fatty acids, such as α-linolenic acid,
which remains after oil extraction. In this study,
we examined the effects of flaxseed cake meal
(FSCM) on the antioxidative status, lipid
metabolism, egg fatty acid profile, and egg health
index of white-egg laying hens. A total of 63
Hisex White laying hens were divided into three
experimental treatment groups and fed diets
containing 0, 5, or 10% FSCM from 48 to 58 weeks
of age. Feeding with 5 and 10% FSCM did not
significantly (
p
>0.05)
influence total lipid, triglyceride, total
cholesterol, very low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol, or low-density
lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations, or the
high-/low-density lipoprotein ratio in the serum
and egg yolk; however, 10% FSCM significantly
(P<0.05) increased serum high-density
lipoprotein. Dietary FSCM also did not affect
(P>0.05) antioxidant markers in the eggs and
blood plasma. Notably, dietary inclusion of FSCM
significantly increased (P<0.05) total n-3
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), α-linolenic
acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic
acid levels in egg yolk, whereas the
n
-6:
n
-3 PUFAs
ratio was markedly (P<0.05) decreased in a
dose-dependent manner. Moreover, including 5–10%
FSCM improved (P<0.05) egg health indices, with
10% being the most beneficial. Together, these
findings indicated that the inclusion of up to 10%
FSCM in laying hen diets improved egg yolk lipid
and fatty acid profiles, as well as egg quality
and nutritional and metabolic indices.