Eighty, White Leghorn (WL) hens of 45 wks of age were fed with atorvastatin at 0.03%, niacin at 375 ppm and EDTA at 0.5% singly or in combination in this CRD experiment for 42 days. The body weight, egg production, egg weight, shell weight and shell thickness was not affected by drugs supplementation either singly or in combination. Feed intake was increased significantly (P<0.05) in atorvastatin, niacin and atorvastatin+niacin+EDTA supplemented groups (9.91, 9.21 and 9.41%, respectively) than control and atorvastatin + EDTA supplemented groups. But feed conversion ratio was significantly (56.68%) increased only in niacin supplemented group than the basal group.
Egg yolk cholesterol, total plasma cholesterol, plasma triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol and liver cholesterol were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in all drugs treated groups however; HDL cholesterol was increased in same groups than control group. Furthermore, oral administration of combination of atorvastatin+niacin+EDTA reduced egg yolk cholesterol, plasma total cholesterol, plasma VLDL cholesterol, plasma triglycerides and liver cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol levels by almost 34.92, 38.68, 35.29, 35.27, 39.52 and 44.75%, respectively compared to control group. Tibia calcium was significantly (14.12%) lower in atorvastatin supplemented dietary group however; serum calcium was not affected by drugs supplementation. Also, tibia phosphorus content did not affected by drugs supplementation but, serum phosphorus was significantly (29.58%) improved by atorvastatin+niacin supplementation than the basal group. The study envisaged that supplementation of laying hens diet with Atorvastatin 0.03% + Niacin 375ppm + EDTA 0.5% can reduce egg yolk cholesterol content up to 35%.
Cholesterol, laying hen, atorvastatin, niacin, EDTA
