Dietary supplementation of Echinacea purpurea powder improved performance, serum lipid profile, and yolk oxidative stability in laying hens

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplemental Echinacea purpurea (EP) powder on performance, serum metabolites, and yolk stability in laying hens. A total of 150 Hy-Line W-36 Leghorn laying hens, 43-wk of age, were randomly assigned into the five replicate cages for each of the five experimental diets based on a completely randomized design. Dietary treatments included different levels (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 g/kg of diet) of EP powder, which were fed to the birds during a 70-d feeding trial. Results showed that dietary addition of EP powder caused significant (P < .05) increases in egg production during both 35-d periods and increased egg mass during the second 35-d period. A significant (P < .05) increase in secondary antibody response against sheep red blood cells was observed in groups receiving EP powder. Dietary supplementation of EP powder decreased (P < .05) yolk cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations. Moreover, supplemental EP decreased (P < .01) serum concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol during the first 35-d, and resulted in increases (P < .05) in serum high-density lipoproteins during both 35-d periods. From the present findings, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation with at least 7.5 g/kg EP powder could improve egg production and decrease yolk cholesterol content. In addition, yolk oxidative stability could be improved as the result of EP supplementation of laying diets.