Effect of age, season and housing system on cholesterol and fatty acids contents of table eggs

A survey was carried out in Khartoum State to examine the effects of hens' age (66, 42 and 20 weeks), season of production (winter and summer) and housing system (open sided and closed) on table egg contents of cholesterol and fatty acids. Eggs were collected and analyzed for cholesterol and fatty acids content using gas chromatography mass spectrometer. Eggs of 66 weeks old hens had a significantly (P<0.05) higher amount of cholesterol than eggs of 20 weeks and 42 weeks old ones. Eggs collected in winter season contained significantly (P<0.05) higher percentages of C16:19e fatty acid and vaccenic acid. Arachidonic acid was significantly (P<0.05) less in egg yolk of 66 weeks old hens. There were some variations in fatty acids level among all studied factors but the differences were not statistically significant. It could be concluded that eggs produced from younger hens contain less cholesterol than that of the older hens.