Volume 15, Issue 1: 2025 - Article 180

Abstract
This study compared the nutritional value, atherogenic index and glucose concentration of eggs laid by different strains of domestic chicken (Black Australorp, Isa Brown, White Leghorn and Local chicken) that were reared intensively in Umuahia, South Eastern Nigeria. Sixteen 18-week-old indigenous (local) and exotic (Isa Brown, Black Australorp and White Leghorn) laying chickens, comprising 4 layers per strain, were used for the study. A total of fifty six (56) eggs (14 eggs per strain) were collected for assay. The egg-yolk and egg-white were thoroughly mixed for proximate evaluation, determination of atherogenic index and glucose concentration assay.  Results showed that the mean egg moisture and total ash contents of eggs laid by Black Australorp chickens were significantly (p < 0.05) higher when compared to that of eggs laid by other strains of chicken. Also, the eggs of Black Australorp chickens had significantly (p < 0.05) lower mean crude fat content than the eggs of other strains of chicken. The crude protein contents of the eggs of Isa Brown chickens was significantly (p < 0.05) higher when compared to that of other strains of chicken studied. The mean atherogenic index of eggs laid by local chicken was significantly (p < 0.05) lower when compared to that of other strains of chicken studied. Eggs of White Leghorn chicken had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean egg dry matter, carbohydrate and glucose concentrations than the eggs of other strains of chicken. It was concluded from this study that variations exist among the eggs of different strains of chicken in their nutritional value, atherogenic index and glucose concentrations. Eggs laid by Isa brown layers had higher protein content; those laid by White Leghorn had the highest glucose concentrations, while eggs laid by local chickens had the lowest atherogenic index.


Keywords: Domestic chicken; Strains; Eggs; Nutritional value; Atherogenic index.

How to cite this article:
Nweze EC, Ukwueze CO, Agbo CC, Ukwueze IJ and Okore FO (2025). Comparison of the nutritional value, atherogenic index and glucose profile of eggs laid by various strains of intensively reared domestic chickens. Journal of Veterinary and Applied Sciences, 15(1): 959 – 968.

*Correspondence: E-mail:     ernest.nweze@yahoo.com      Phone: +2348066336466

Comparison of the nutritional value, atherogenic index and glucose profile of eggs laid by various strains of intensively reared domestic chickens
Ernest C. Nweze ¹ *, Celestine O. Ukwueze ², Chekwube C. Agbo ³, Ifunanya J. Ukwueze ¹ and Favour O. Okore <sup>1

1</sup> Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
² Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
³ Department of Agricultural Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.

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