Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical effect of Nigella sativa (NS) seeds as feed additives on serum and egg yolk lipids, antioxidants, and fatty acids in laying hens. The experiment was conducted on 42 Commercial Mandarah strain laying hens at 31 weeks old with uniform body weight which were assigned to 2 groups with 21 hens per group. Control group and NS group (basal diet + 2% NS seeds) were examined for 12 weeks. The findings indicated that NS fed group showed a significant decrease in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and VLDL concentrations in serum and egg yolk with a significant increase in HDL concentration. In addition, the antioxidant status of NS hens improved as MDA and NO concentrations significantly decreased in serum and egg yolk, while SOD, GSH, and TAC increased. Moreover, an increase in egg yolk concentration of unsaturated fatty acid linolenic, with a decrease in palmitic fatty acid concentration in egg yolk. Conclusively, NS has beneficial effects on antioxidants and different lipid fractions of serum and egg yolk of laying hens.