<b>Egg quality, blood biochemical parameters and reproductive tract development for Lohmann LSL hens fed increasing levels of digestible lysine</b> - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v30i1.3596

Abstract

In this experiment, the effect of lysine levels on egg quality, biochemical parameters and measurements of the reproductive tract on the diets of Lohmann LSL laying hens diets were evaluated. One hundred-sixty hens with 24 weeks of age were submitted to increasing levels of digestible lysine (600, 700, 800 e 900 mg Lys kg^-1 of feed) until 48 weeks of age. The diets were isoenergetic and isonutritive. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and four replicates. Percentages of eggshell, yolk and albumen, specific egg gravity, yolk index, total yolk, albumen and egg solids, blood parameters and measurements of the reproductive tract were evaluated. The data were submitted to polynomial regression (5%) analysis using the SAS statistical software, while for blood biochemical parameters and reproductive tract measurements, the samples were analyzed using a split-spot scheme. No significant differences were found regarding egg quality. There was an increase in reproductive tract weight with age. The blood parameters were not influenced by the treatments; however, albumin, uric acid and creatinin increased for older hens. Increasing the levels of digestible lysine did not influence internal egg quality, blood parameters or the reproductive tract. The level of 600 mg kg^-1 can be recommended for internal egg quality and development of the reproductive tract.