dietary fiber extracted from chicory roots, which have
shown promise as a regulator of glucose metabolism
and obesity in some animal species (Delzenne, 1999).
Few reports are available on the effects of dietary cellulose
on hepatic lipogenesis in chicks, and in fact, the
authors have not found any research conducted with
broiler breeders. In growing chicks, Akiba and Matsumoto
(1977) reported that the inclusion of cellulose in
the diet depressed lipid accumulation in the liver.
An increase in CP content of the diet depressed fatty
acid synthesis in the liver (Masoro et al., 1950) and
adipose tissue (Leveille, 1967) of rats and in the liver of
chicks (Rosebrough et al., 2002). However, the effects
of dietary CP on lipogenesis have not been extensively
studied in broiler breeder hens. The hypothesis of the
research was that the inclusion of a fiber source and the
increase in CP content of the diet could reduce obesity
and obesity-related problems and improve reproductive
performance in broiler breeder hens and that the effects
could be more pronounced in LIB than in R-fed birds.
The objectives of the study were to study the effects
of feeding regimen, inclusion of additional fiber, and
level of CP of the diet on reproductive performance of
broiler breeder hens from 43 to 55 wk of age.