Beneficial effects of substituting soybean meal for white lupin (Lupinus albus, cv. Zulika) meal on the biochemical blood parameters of laying hens

Abstract

The experiment aimed to determine the effect of substituting 50% of soy protein for lupin protein in feed mixtures intended for the nutrition of high-yield Isa Brown laying hens, on selected biochemical blood plasma indicators. The trial was designed as a long-lasting feeding experiment (51 weeks) and involved a total of 180 hens divided in three experimental groups (control group C and experimental groups WLS and WDLS). At the end of the laying cycle, blood samples were taken from the hens by puncture of the vena basilica and subsequently, the required blood plasma indicators were analysed in the laboratory. The results demonstrated that the long-term feeding of white lupin (variety Zulika) did not affect the molar concentration of plasma inorganic phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), uric acid (UAC) and the activity of alanine aminotransferase (AST). By contrast, the substitution of soy protein for lupin protein in the diets of the experimental groups of laying hens led to the statistically significant (p ≤ .05) decrease of total plasma protein (TP), total cholesterol (Chol), calcium (Ca) and triacylglycerides (TAG) and to an increase (p ≤ .05) of alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP).