Effects of Breeds on the Content of Functional Nutrition in Eggs

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences in the content of functional nutrients in eggs, performance parameters, and egg quality parameters of different chicken breeds. In Trial 1, 150 41-week-old hens of each breed, including the Dwarf Layer, White Leghorn, Silky fowl, Beijing-you chicken, and Shouguang chicken, were randomly assigned to the control (CON) and 2.5% flaxseed oil (FSO) groups to compare the difference in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content in eggs. The contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total n-3 PUFA in eggs were increased (p < 0.05) in the FSO groups. The ALA (4.28%), DHA (2.03%), and total n-3 PUFA (6.46%) contents in eggs of Dwarf Layer were the highest among the five breeds (p < 0.05). To further verify if other functional nutrients also have such differences, 600 24-week-old White Leghorn and Dwarf Layer were allocated to four groups: CON, FSO, 0.02% selenium-enriched yeast (SEY), and 0.20% marigold flower extract (MFE), in Trial 2. The content of functional nutrients in eggs was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after feeding these additions. After feeding FSO, the eggs of the Dwarf Layer had a higher n-3 PUFA content than the White Leghorn (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found in selenium and lutein content in different breeds. Performance and egg quality were not negatively impacted by FSO, SEY, or MFE.

ELOVL5 and VLDLR synergistically affect n-3 PUFA deposition in eggs of different chicken breeds

“…In recent years, the functional nutrition of eggs has attracted the attention of many researchers ( Kralik and Kralik, 2017 ; Alagawany et al, 2019 ; Grcevic et al, 2019 ; Liu et al, 2020 ; Lu et al, 2020 ). In our previous research, we found significant differences in n-3 PUFA content in eggs from different breeds after feeding flaxseed oil, including Dwarf Layer, White Leghorn, Silky fowl, Beijing-you, and Shouguang ( Jiang et al, 2023 ). The contents of α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) (212.45 mg/yolk), DHA (100.32 mg/ yolk), and total n-3 PUFA (320.59 mg/yolk) in eggs of Dwarf Layer are the highest among the 5 breeds ( Jiang et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In our previous research, we found significant differences in n-3 PUFA content in eggs from different breeds after feeding flaxseed oil, including Dwarf Layer, White Leghorn, Silky fowl, Beijing-you, and Shouguang ( Jiang et al, 2023 ). The contents of α-linolenic acid ( ALA ) (212.45 mg/yolk), DHA (100.32 mg/ yolk), and total n-3 PUFA (320.59 mg/yolk) in eggs of Dwarf Layer are the highest among the 5 breeds ( Jiang et al, 2023 ). In a study on broiler chickens, it was also found that there were significant differences in the contents of saturated fatty acid ( SFA ), monounsaturated fatty acid ( MUFA ) and n-3 PUFA in the muscles of different chickens breeds ( Cömert et al, 2016 ).…”

Translucent eggs of laying hens: a review

“…With the improvement of living standards and the popularization of dietary and nutritional knowledge, consumers are paying more attention to the relation between dietary structure and health and have higher expectations for egg quality ( Li et al, 2022 ; Jiang et al, 2023 ). Price, sensory attributes, and nutritional value all influence consumers’ purchasing intentions ( Chen et al, 2023 ).…”