The Effect of Lactose on Egg Production and Shell Quality

Abstract It has been well documented that the intestinal absorption of calcium is stimulated in the presence of lactose. This effect has been studied extensively in the rat (Lengemann, 1959; Lengemann et al., 1959), but only to a limited extent in the chick (Waibeland Mraz, 1964). Although the effects of lactose on calcium absorption of laying hens have not been studied as yet, we have tested its effect on the general calcium metabolism as reflected in the deposition of this mineral in the egg shell. If lactose were to stimulate calcium absorption in the laying hen, and if calcium absorption were the limiting factor in the transfer of calcium to the shell, then lactose supplementation should result in increased egg shell deposition. The trial was designed as a 2 × 2 factorial, two levels of dietary calcium, 3.0% and 2%, with or without supplementary lactose, at a level of 5%. The …