Effects of using Gracilariopsis persica in layer hen diet on performance, egg quality and lipids of blood serum

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of using Gracilariopsis persica in layer diet on performance، egg quality and lipids of blood serum of layer hens. One-hundred Hy-line W-36 hens were allocated to five dietary treatments (experimental diets containing 0، 5، 10، 15 and 20 percent seaweed) and five replicates and four birds in each for 12 week period (23-34 week of age). The results showed that in the birds fed diets containing more than 5% seaweed، had lower egg production and higher feed conversion ratio (P<0. 05). There was significant decrease in egg mass for more than 10% seaweed in experimental diet (P<0. 05). Inclusion of Gracilariopsis persica in diets increased egg shell thickness and egg density compared to control diet (P<0. 05). The egg that laid by hens fed on diets containing different levels of Gracilariopsis persica had lower concentration of Malonedialdehyde and higher iodine content than those laid by control birds (P<0. 05). Using Gracilariopsis persica in diets had no significant effect on yolk cholesterol، however، its inclusion at 15 or 20% in diet، decreased cholesterol concentration of blood serum (P<0. 05). These results demonstrated that Gracilariopsis persica can be include up to five percent in layer diets. It improves eggshell thickness and egg density، and also increases iodine content in yolk and the egg durability.