Effect of 3-nitro-10 on egg yolk pigmentation

White Leghorn hens, housed in cages were fed commercial-type corn-soy diets containing one of three levels of 3-Nitro-10 (0, .0025, and .005%) and either of two levels of xanthophyll (high and low) supplied by yellow corn. Egg yolks were collected and the yolks analyzed for color using reflectance colorimetry. The addition of 3-Nitro-10 at either level increased egg yolk dominant wavelength (DWL) and excitation purity (EP) values while decreasing luminosity (LUM) values (probability levels: .08, .10, and .003, respectively). It was concluded that the addition of 3-Nitro-10 to the diet of laying hens improved egg yolk color.