The Lack of Effect of Dietary Inositol Supplementation on Egg Production and Liver Lipid Metabolism in the Laying Hen

An experiment is described in which the effects of dietary inositol supplementation on egg production and liver lipid metabolism in the laying hen were examined. Forty laying hens were randomised into 4 groups of ten birds and each group received a cereal-based laying ration containing either 0, 1, 2 or 5g. inositol/kg. diet. The experiment lasted for three 28 day periods. The addition of inositol to the diet had no significant effects on liveweight, egg production, egg size, food consumption or the efficiency of food utilisation. Similarly, there were no significant differences in liver size, liver total lipid content or hepatic ATP-citrate lyase and “malic” enzyme activities between the dietary treatments. These observations are discussed in relation to the results of other workers on the effects of dietary inositol on liver lipid and egg production in normal laying hens and birds affected by the fatty liver syndrome.