Influence of linseed and fish oil on metabolic and immunological indicators of laying hens

The metabolic and immunological indicators were determined in the blood of laying hens of ISA BROWN hybrid divided into three groups, one control group and two experimental groups. The administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the form of linseed (Group 1) and fish oil (Group 2) and alpha-tocopherol as antioxidant to laying hens resulted in a significant increase in concentrations of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic and alpha-linolenic acids (AA) in blood in comparison with the control group. Significantly lower levels of cholesterol were determined in both experimental groups at the third sampling and arachidonic acid (AA) in the Group 2. The metabolic activity of phagocytes and polyclonal activation of lymphocytes showed no significant differences and remained within the physiological range. Oral administration of n-3 PUFA showed no significant increase of the immune response of experimental animals.