Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
Cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA) are a group of structurally unusual fatty acids. CPFAs have been shown to be responsible for a number of adverse physiological effects in a variety of animals, including the laying hen. The first known effect was the pink discoloration of albumen of stored eggs that occurs when hens are fed cottonseed meal. The compound gossypol in cottonseed can lead to yolk discoloration. Although varieties of cottonseed with low amounts of gossypol have been developed, cottonseed meal should not be fed to laying hens because of the effect of CPFAs on albumen quality.
For more information, refer to the articles on Using Cottonseed Meal in Poultry Diets and on Gossypol.