Layer performance, yolk cholesterol, eggshell quality, and pancreatic amylase and lipase contents as affected by probiotic and prebiotic dietary supplementation

Studies were conducted to investigate the effects of probiotic, oligofructose-type prebiotic, and inulin-type prebiotic supplementations on layer performance, cholesterol balance, and albumen duality of laying hens at two different ages. The effects of probiotic and both prebiotic dietary supplementations on amylase and lipase contents in pancreas and total yolk fat contents were also explored in old layers (57-wk). The probiotic group contained 5.0% (W/W) Ecozyme RTM. The oligofructose-type prebiotic group contained 1.0% (W/W) RaftiloseRTM. The inulin-type prebiotic group contained 1.3% (W/W) RaftifeedRTM. Twenty birds were assigned with two birds per cage. The birds were fed their assigned diets ad libitum and had free access to water for four weeks during feeding period. A regimen of 16h light: 8h dark/day was provided throughout the experiment study, which last for 4 weeks.;Supplementing probiotic, oligofructose-type prebiotic and inulin-type prebiotic supplementations increased (P < 0.05) egg production and cumulative egg weight per bird for both young (27-wk) and old (57-wk) layers, but old layers showed greater increases than young layers. Improvements (P < 0.05) of feed conversion ratios were also observed in old layers fed probiotic and both prebiotic supplementations. Regardless of bird's age, there were no (P > 0.05) differences on average egg weight and albumen quality initially as well as upon storage. Supplementing layers with probiotic, oligofructose-type prebiotic, and inulin-type prebiotic supplementations increased (P < 0.05) unabsorbable cholesterol levels in jejunum contents and cholesterol excreta, and simultaneously decreased (P < 0.05) serum and yolk cholesterol contents. Similarly, a greater effect for yolk cholesterol reduction was also observed in old layers.;Addition of probiotic, oligofructose-type prebiotic, and inulin-type prebiotic supplementations into the basal diet increased (P < 0.05) pancreatic amylase contents and decreased (P < 0.05) pancreatic lipase contents, abdominal fat pat percentage, and total fat contents in yolks of old layers as compared with those of the controls. Increased (P < 0.05) serum glucose levels and protein levels in jejunum contents were also recorded when feeding old layers with probiotic and both prebiotic products. In addition, oligofructose-type and inulin-type prebiotic dietary supplementations increased (P < 0.05) serum calcium levels and improved (P < 0.05) the eggshell strength and tibia ash, calcium, and phosphorus contents in old layers.