The Metabolic Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation to the Diets of Laying Hens under Heat Stress (35 degrees C)

Abstract

The aim of the study, was to investigate the effects of vitamin E and heat stress on the metabolism of laying hens. In the study, 120 Leghorn line laying hens were used. The study was carried out in 9 weeks and divided into 3 periods. The hens were divided into 2 groups. The control and experimental groups were subdivided into 3 groups of 20 hens each. The hens in the subgroups were fed the standard full feed layer ration supplemented with extra 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) vitamin E, respectively. The temperature of the room of the experimental groups was raised to 35 degrees C during the second period. It was verified that heat stress lead to significant increase in plasma total protein, albumin, total lipid and cholesterol concentrations during the second period of the experiment. As a result, it might be concluded that supplementing vitamin E to the diet during heat stress does not have any positive effect on the metabolism.