Context
Reducing egg cholesterol has been a major goal of many researchers over four decades. Monacolin K, a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, identical to the active ingredient in the prescription statin drug lovastatin, could be a promising feed supplement for layers.
Aims
To determine the effects of high monacolin K red yeast rice (RYR) supplement on feed intake, egg production, egg cholesterol content, plasma lipid and enzyme metabolites in laying hens.
Methods
Hyline brown layers were fed RYR supplement at 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6% of the diet for 6 weeks. Total and daily feed intake, egg production, egg weights and feed conversion ratio between the RYR treated groups and the control were compiled. Egg cholesterol and egg quality at the 3rd and 6th week of the feeding trial were analysed. Plasma lipids and enzymes were sampled towards the end of the trial.
Key results
Egg cholesterol were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.8 and 1.6% RYR supplemented group. Supplementation with 0.8% RYR resulted in 11.16% reduction in egg cholesterol at the 3rd week with no further improvements with longer feeding. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in total and daily feed intake, egg production, egg weights and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the RYR treated and control group. Total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the 0.8 and 1.6% RYR supplemented group when compared with the control group. RYR supplementation exert no significant differences (P > 0.05) in plasma enzyme levels.
Conclusions
The present study suggests that RYR supplementation of 0.8% resulted in egg cholesterol reduction by 11.16% with no adverse effects on laying hens.
Implications
The feeding trial showed that RYR supplement can be used as a feed additive in layer diets to lower egg cholesterol, plasma cholesterol and triglycerides with no adverse effects on layer egg production and plasma enzymes over the feeding period.
Effects of Kluyveromyces marxianus Isolated from Tibetan Mushrooms on the Plasma Lipids, Egg Cholesterol Level, Egg Quality and Intestinal Health of Laying Hens
