Effects of broiler breeder hen age and dietary fat intake on circulating serum lipids

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of diet and broiler b reeder hen age oil serum cholesterol (CHOL) and very low density (VVDL) and high density (HDL) lipoproteins. In Experiment 1, breeder hens were bled a t 20, 26, 32, 36, 43 and 48 wk of age, whereas in Experiment 2 hens were bl ed at 29, 36, 51 and 69 wk of age. Across both experiments lipids changed d rastically with the onset of lay and as the breeders aged. In Experiment 1, CHOL and HDL decreased at 32 wk and remained low through 48 wk when compar ed to prelay values at 20 wk. A similar pattern was observed in Experiment 2. In both Experiments. In VLDL increased greatly with the onset of egg pro duction. Despite the alterations in cliff (saturated vs unsaturated diets) there were no differences in circulating lipids as affected by diet. The pr esent study provides information on circulating lipids in broiler breeders through a complete production period, when challenged with various lipid di els. Er ere though diets were modified iri lipid composition, the broiler b reeder hens only exhibited changes in their circulating lipids as a functio n of age, a unique distinction from mammalian lipid metabolism.