A biochemical study of induced fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens

Two force-feeding experiments and one meal-feeding experiments were designed to induce the Fatty Liver-Hemorrhagic Syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens and to determine the changes in lipid metabolism which occur in those hens affected with FLHS. The effect of a lipotropic mix (LM) containing vitamin E, vitamin B-12, choline, inositol, and selenium on the lipid metabolism of hens affected with induced FLHS was determined. The percent incidence and severity of liver hemorrhages, percent total lipids and total weight of the liver, and the 21 day body weight gain were significantly increased and the percent hen-day-production (HDP) was significantly decreased when hens were force-fed a balanced corn-soy ration. The addition of the LM significantly reduced the body weight gain when hens in experiment 2 were fed ad libitum. HDP was not affected by the addition of the LM to the diet of hens either force-fed or fed ad libitum In experiment 1 or 2. The percent liver lipids in experiment 2 were reduced when the LM was added to the diet of hens force-fed but had no effect on the percent incidence or severity of liver hemorrhages. The percent incidence and severity of liver hemorrhages was greater in experiment 1 than in experiment 2. This appeared to be related to the higher environmental temperature during experiment 1. There was a significant decrease in the linoleic acid content of the neutral lipids of the liver from force-fed hens