The circulating levels of lipoproteins in embryos and newly hatched ducklings change with parental age

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of duck breeder age on circulating very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in embryonic (day 25 of incubation) and newly hatched ducklings (hatch and 1, 2, 3, and 5 days after hatch). In this study, embryos and ducklings from one breeder flock were monitored at breeder ages 24 weeks (young breeders), 31 weeks (mature breeders and near peak egg production), and 47 weeks (after peak egg production). Embryos and newly hatched ducklings from young breeders (24 weeks of age) displayed lower levels of VLDL and LDL. The composition of VLDL was affected by breeder age such that embryos and ducklings from young breeders had less cholesterol ester/protein and triglyceride/protein ratios. Even though the overall levels were suppressed in embryos and newly hatched ducklings from 24-week-old breeders, the overall percentage of triglyceride within VLDL and LDL particles was higher. These data would suggest that breeder age affects concentration and composition of both VLDL and LDL in embryos and newly hatched ducklings.