Effect of inclusion of biocholine in the diet of laying hens on performance parameters, egg quality, and serum biochemistry

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different sources of choline in the diet of laying Lohmann Brown hens (26 to 37 weeks of age) on productive performance, egg quality, and blood parameters. A completely randomized experimental design was adopted, consisting of five treatments, with eight replications and six birds per experimental unit. The treatments consisted of a basal diet without supplementation of any source of choline (NC); NC + supplementation with 939 mg/kg choline chloride 60%; NC + supplementation with 167 mg/kg Biocholine®; NC + supplementation with 83 mg/kg Biocholine DS®; and NC + supplementation with 300 mg/kg Biocholine DS®. The performance parameters evaluated included laying percentage, average feed intake, feed conversion ratio by mass and by dozen eggs, average weight gain, and egg mass. The egg quality parameters comprised the average weights of the egg, yolk, shell, and albumen, as well as the Haugh unit, yolk index, shell weight per surface area, yolk color, and average percentages of the constituent parts. Additionally, blood parameters were analyzed, including glucose, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, uric acid, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, creatine phosphokinase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase. No statistically significant differences were observed in any of the evaluated parameters, except for glucose levels, which were higher in treatment with 300 mg/kg Biocholine DS®. For hens fed diets based on corn and soybean meal, no effect on the performance and egg quality was observed due to supplementation with choline chloride 60% or herbal products that are sources of choline.