Regulation of lipid metabolism by dietary sorbose in laying hens

Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens received ad libitum diets (10 birds per diet) containing varying concentrations of sorbose (0, 100, and 200 g/kg diet) for 4 wk. Body weight gain and feed intake decreased with increasing dietary sorbose. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, and chylomicron levels were significantly reduced, in dose-dependent fashions, as dietary sorbose increased, whereas serum glucose level remained unchanged by the dietary regimens. Absolute and relative weights of abdominal fat were also decreased by increasing dietary sorbose. Liver color improved; it became less white and less yellow with the supplement of dietary sorbose. Hen-day egg production rate was not affected with dietary sorbose, and hence, it has been shown that dietary sorbose can be used as a potential regulator of lipid metabolism in the laying hen.