An excess of energy intake results in increased BW
and obesity in broiler breeder hens with higher incidence
of fatty livers and poor reproductive performance
(Robinson et al., 1993). Obesity is often linked
to changes in lipid metabolism, with accumulation of
triglyceride (TG) in the liver and the ovary. Consequently,
an excess of energy intake increases the incidence
of ovarian dysfunction, follicular dystrophy, and
the concentration of lipids in plasma with adverse effects
on broiler breeder performance, with special relevance
immediately after peak of egg production (Chen
et al., 2006). Feed restriction is a common practice to
control obesity in broiler breeders.