Influence of diet composition on hepatic lipid accumulation and hemorrhages in caged layers.

Four experiments were conducted with commercial strains of White Leghorns. Experimental corn-soy diets with (CSW) and without (CS) minor feed ingredients significantly elevated liver and plasma lipids when compared to a standard layer diet (UGA) used at the University of Georgia. The response was not due to difference in vitamin and mineral premix or level of energy and protein in the diets. Inclusion of 5% alfalfa in a low protein (13.5%) diet with energy and amino acid profile similar to diet CS significantly reduced liver lipid. Comparison of diet CS to isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with 20% brewers dried grains, soybean mill feed, or wheat bran showed that layers fed diets with these supplements had significantly lower liver and plasma lipids. In all experiments a higher incidence of liver hemorrhage was associated with feeding the experimental diets CS and CSW. There were no significant differences in egg production, egg weight, or body weight change due to dietary treatment in the experiments. Results of the experiments show that hens with equivalent ME intake and egg output exhibit differences in liver and plasma lipids due to diet composition. The data suggest that mill feeds and fermentation by-products contain an essential factor for control of lipid metabolism in caged layers.