| Journal: |
Italian Journal of Animal Science
Taylor & Francis
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Volume: |
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| Abstract: |
The impacts of bioactive lipid compounds of oregano (OBLC) and thyme (TBLC) or their combinations
(MIX) on performance, egg quality, antioxidant status, and blood biochemistry of laying
hens throughout the late laying period were evaluated. A total of two hundred 64–week-old
Hy-Line Brown laying chickens (mean body weight 1750 ± 56 g) were allocated at random to
four experimental treatments: the basal control diet or the basal diet supplemented with
150 mg OBLC, 150 mg TBLC, or a mix of OBLC (150 mg/kg) and TBLC (150 mg/kg) over an
8-week period. Throughout the trials, dietary OBLC, TBLC, and their combination increased egg
production and egg mass but decreased feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Dietary supplementation
with OBLC and TBLC and their combination resulted in higher eggshell ratio, thickness, and
strength (p<0.05) than the control group. OBLC, TBLC, and their combination significantly
increased albumen height and the Haugh unit. Notably, serum levels of calcium, phosphorus,
total antioxidants, and superoxide dismutase significantly increased (p<0.01) by OBLC, TBLC,
and their combination. Supplementation of OBLC, TBLC, and their combination significantly
(p<0.05) reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, uric acid, aspartate
aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase compared to control. It can be postulated that
150 mg/kg OBLC, TBLC, and their combination can be used as efficient feed additives to
enhance overall performances, antioxidants, and the health status of laying hen chickens in the
late production period.
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