Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) effects on serum and liver lipid levels in Gallus domesticus.

The food antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxy-toluene (BHT) were fed to chickens to determine their effect on lipid metabolism. BHA and BHT did not affect chicken growth, blood lipid levels or liver lipid levels when the birds were fed a normal ration. When a high fat, high cholesterol ration was fed, chickens developed increased levels of blood and liver lipids and experienced decreased growth rates. The addition of either antioxidant in the presence of a high fat high cholesterol diet maintained higher serum lipid levels and caused decreases in liver lipid levels.