Choline and Inositol in Laying Hen Nutrition

INTRODUCTION Lucas et al. (1946) and Ringrose and Davis (1946) reported that the laying hen could synthesize choline. Abbott and De-Masters (1940) fed diets low in choline and reported decreased egg production, increased mortality, aborted egg yolks and increased liver fat in hens fed these diets. In a report from the authors’ laboratory (Welch and Couch, 1955), it was reported that the addition of choline to a diet deficient in methionine increased egg production in the presence of vitamin B12. Daghir et al. (1960) reported an increase in egg production with additions of choline to the diet. Burns and Ackerman (1955) reported that the addition of choline to the diet of the laying hen increased egg size and increased the choline content of the egg. Balloun (1956) reported that the addition of choline to breeder diets improved hatchability. In contrast, Johnson (1954), Holmes and Kramer (1965) and Leach et al.…