Effects of perilla extract on productive performance, serum values and hepatic expression of lipid-related genes in Shaoxing ducks

Abstract

1. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of perilla extract, a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, on lipid metabolism and expression of lipid-related genes in livers of Shaoxing ducks.

2. Two hundred and forty 28-week-old laying ducks received a commercial diet with perilla extract added at 0 (control) or 200 mg/kg of feed.

3. Ducks fed on a diet with perilla extract had increased laying rates compared with control ducks.

4. Serum concentrations of triglycerides were reduced by perilla extract, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total serum cholesterol increased.

5. The expression of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1, acetyl CoA carboxylase, stearoyl CoA desaturase, fatty acid synthase, apolipoprotein B, and apolipoprotein very low density lipoprotein, were decreased in the perilla group.

6. The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor alpha and acyl-coenzyme A oxidase was enhanced following treatment with perilla extract, and a similar tendency was observed in the expression of liver fatty acid-binding protein.

7. The results show that a diet with 200 mg/kg perilla extract regulated fat metabolism of Shaoxing ducks by improving egg laying, altering serum lipid profiles, stimulating lipid catabolic gene expression and inibiting lipogenic gene expression in the liver.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Dr Fuzeng Lu for his technical assistance. This work was supported by the Significant International Cooperation Project of Zhejiang province (2007C14023), the Significant Project of Zhejiang province (2005C12005-01) and the earmarked fund for Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System (nycytx-45-02).