Feasibility of artificial light regimes to increase the vitamin D content in indoor-laid eggs. (30th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kühn, Julia; Wassermann, Corinna; Ebschke, Stephan; Schutkowski, Alexandra; Thamm, Katrin; Wensch-Dorendorf, Monika; von Borell, Eberhard; Stangl, Gabriele I
• Is Part Of: Poultry science. Volume 98:Number 10(2019:Oct.)
• Page Start: 5177
• Page End: 5187
• Publication Date: 2019-04-30
• Subjects: laying hen -- UVB -- vitamin D -- bioaddition -- egg; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 636.5005
• DOI: 10.3382/ps/pez234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5791

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Vitamin D insufficiency is prevalent worldwide. Recently, we showed that exposure of laying hens to sunlight or artificial ultraviolet B (UVB) light is an efficient strategy to increase the vitamin D content in eggs. In the current study, using 2 different chicken genotypes and stocking densities, we addressed the question of whether different UVB-emitting regimes work under real indoor housing conditions in a floor system or in furnished cages. Here, we found a 3.7-fold increase in the egg vitamin D content in Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens and a 4.2-fold increase in Lohmann Brown hens after UVB exposure for 6 h/d. The data further reveal that UVB exposure under high stocking density is equally effective compared to that at low stocking density. The different light regimes were not associated with changes in the behavior of these animals. To conclude, artificial UVB-emitting light regimes are a practical strategy to increase the vitamin D content in indoor-laid eggs.