Dietary bromelain supplementation for improving laying performance, egg quality and antioxidant status Nahrungsergänzung mit bromelain zur Verbesserung der Legeleistung, der Eiqualität und des Antioxidanszustandes

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary bromelain supplementation on laying performance, egg nutrient profile, serum traits and antioxidant status. A total of 96 Lohmann White laying hens (28-weeks-old) were fed diets containing different concentrations of bromelain (0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/kg) during an 8-weeks experimental period. Each treatment was replicated in six cages. Data were analysed using the GLM Procedure, including orthogonal (control vs. bromelain) and polynomial (dose-response) contrasts statements. Bromelain supplementation did not affect the laying performance and egg quality parameters. Bromelain supplementation increased egg yolk (P < 0.0001) serum protein (P < 0.04) concentrations, decreased egg yolk triacylglycerol fraction (P < 0.0001) and serum cholesterol concentration (P < 0.0003), but did not affect egg yolk cholesterol fraction. Hens fed diets supplemented with the bromelain had higher concentrations of antioxidant enzymes (265 vs. 210 U/g protein for superoxide dismutase; 16.31 vs. 7.95 U/g Hb for glutathione peroxidase and 4.70 vs. 2.33 U/g Hb for glutathione-S-transferase; P < 0.0001) and lower malondialdehyde (114 vs. 86 nmol/ml, P < 0.05) in serum than hens fed the control diet. In conclusion, bromelain could be supplemented up to 0.45 g/kg in the laying hen diet to enhance antioxidant capacity.