Research note: Dietary curcumin cocrystals enhance egg quality and lipid metabolism in laying hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary curcumin cocrystals on laying performance, egg quality, and lipid metabolism in laying hens. A total of 900 Hy-Line Brown laying hens, aged 43 weeks, were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of 10 replicates with 30 hens per replicate. Each group received a diet supplemented with 0, 8.5, or 25 mg/kg curcumin cocrystals for four weeks. The results indicated that hens fed 25 mg/kg curcumin cocrystals exhibited significantly higher egg weight and eggshell strength compared to those fed 0 or 8.5 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The administration of 25 mg/kg curcumin cocrystals significantly reduced serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05), as well as abdominal fat weight and percentage (P < 0.05), in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 25 mg/kg curcumin cocrystals enhanced egg quality and improved lipid metabolism in laying hens.