Dietary supplementation with organic choline improves layer performance, egg production, and egg quality

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition and Poultry Science
• Biochemistry and Metabolism in Livestock

Background:

• Choline is essential for liver function and productivity in laying hens, acting as a methyl donor and precursor for vital biomolecules.
• Methionine also provides methyl groups and is crucial for protein and feather development in poultry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of choline propionate, a novel organic choline source, compared to choline chloride in laying hen diets.
• To evaluate the impact of choline propionate on egg production, egg quality, serum biochemical markers, and liver health.
• To assess the methionine-sparing potential of choline propionate in diets with reduced methionine and cysteine.

Main Methods:

• Two trials involving 576 Hy-Line Brown laying hens (50 weeks old) were conducted.
• Trial 1: Choline propionate (120, 160 ppm) and choline chloride (160 ppm) were supplemented in a choline-deficient diet.
• Trial 2: Diets with a 15% reduction in methionine and cysteine were used to assess methionine-sparing effects.
• Data analyzed using ANOVA (SAS), with Tukey's test for performance and biochemical data, and Kruskal-Wallis for liver histopathology.

Main Results:

• Choline propionate significantly improved egg production rate (over 88% vs. 32% control) and egg weight (over 3% increase).
• Eggshell strength increased by over 30%, and yolk color was enhanced by 2% with choline propionate (160 ppm).
• Serum AST levels decreased by 25% with 160 ppm choline propionate, indicating liver protection.
• Choline propionate supplementation prevented fatty liver signs observed in control groups, suggesting improved hepatic health.
• Trial 2 showed numerical improvements in egg production with choline treatment, suggesting mild methionine-sparing activity.

Conclusions:

• Choline propionate demonstrates significant functional benefits as a choline source for laying hens, improving productivity and egg quality.
• This organic choline source exhibits protective effects on liver health and may possess mild methionine-sparing properties.
• Choline propionate is a relevant alternative and supplementary choline source for optimizing laying hen nutrition.