Fish Oil and L-Carnitine in Hen Diets Boost Egg Omega-3 Content
This study looked at older laying hens (65 weeks old) and tested how adding fish oil and L-carnitine to their feed affected egg production and the nutritional makeup of the eggs. Researchers used 432 hens split into groups receiving different combinations of fish oil (0%, 1.5%, or 3%) and L-carnitine (0, 300, or 600 mg per kg of feed).
Hens fed the higher fish oil levels combined with L-carnitine had better egg production rates, heavier eggs, and greater overall egg mass compared to hens fed no fish oil or L-carnitine. As fish oil levels increased, egg yolks contained more polyunsaturated fats and a higher proportion of omega-3 fatty acids, though yolk pH dropped slightly with more fish oil.
Adding L-carnitine alongside fish oil helped counteract that yolk pH decrease. Overall, the combination of fish oil and L-carnitine appeared to work together to support both egg production and the nutritional quality of the eggs themselves.
What this means for you
This is an animal feeding trial in laying hens, not a human study, so it doesn’t tell us anything directly about supplementing people. However, it illustrates how dietary fish oil can shift the fatty acid content of eggs, offering a possible model for how omega-3-enriched eggs are produced for consumers.
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Veterinary research forum : an international quarterly journal · 2026-01-01 · DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2025.2055505.4694
Read the original source ↗This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your supplement routine.