Influence of orotic acid on performance, liver lipid content, and egg cholesterol level of laying hens

Three experiments were conducted to determine the effects of dietary orotic acid (OA) on laying hen performance, liver lipid content, and plasma and egg cholesterol levels. Laying hens were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, .5, 1.0, and 2.0% OA for 8 wk. Performance of the hens and cholesterol levels were measured at biweekly intervals. In all three experiments, OA decreased (P less than .05) BW in a linear manner. In two experiments, OA caused a linear decrease in total liver lipid (P less than .05), and in a third experiment OA resulted in a quadratic effect (P less than .01) on liver lipid content. There were no effects observed by OA supplementation on egg weight, yolk weight, percentage yolk, or egg production. Orotic acid failed to influence egg cholesterol content in any of the biweekly measurements of the three experiments. In two experiments, total plasma cholesterol content was not influenced by OA supplementation. Orotic acid significantly reduced (P less than .05) free and total plasma cholesterol in a third experiment when measured at Weeks 4, 6, and 8 of the experiment. The data indicate that OA is an ineffective dietary supplement for reducing egg cholesterol levels in laying hens.