Effect of metabolic efficiency and intestinal morphology on variability in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enrichment of eggs

The effect of metabolic efficiency and associated gut characteristics of laying hens on the variability of transfer of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to the egg was examined in laying hens at 56 wk of age. An empirical energetics model was used to categorize individual hens into energetically efficient or nonefficient treatments based on residual maintenance ME requirement. Birds were then provided a diet containing an extruded flax product as a source of n-3 PUFA for 14 d. Egg traits were determined and yolks collected at 0 d and 14 d for measurement of fatty acid composition and variation in fatty acid levels within hen efficiency class. Gut length and duodenal histomorphometric indices were assessed after the 14-d experimental period. Efficient hens had a 96.01% rate of lay compared with 88.63% in nonefficient hens. After 14 d of feeding, the concentration of n-3 PUFA increased (151.6 vs. 315.8 mg/egg) in the egg yolk whereas n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids, and monounsaturated fatty acids were reduced (P < 0.001). Energetic efficiency had no additional effect on these measurements. However, egg yolks from efficient birds had less α-linolenic acid but more docosapentaenoic acid than nonefficient birds, suggesting a greater up-conversion of medium-chain (α-linolenic acid) to long-chain fatty acids (docosapentaenoic acid) in efficient birds. After 14 d, the CV for total n-3 PUFA in egg yolks from efficient hens was lower than that from nonefficient birds (11.1 vs. 21.4), indicating a more uniform level of enrichment. Furthermore, efficient hens had longer duodenal villi (P = 0.02), resulting in a greater absorptive villi surface area (0.13 mm2/villi) than in nonefficient birds (0.10 mm2/villi; P = 0.01). Increased uniformity of n-3 PUFA enrichment of table eggs could be possible through focus on metabolic efficiency and gut absorptive condition in laying hens.