The effects of in ovo injection with sulfur amino acids and folic acid on the gene expression, relative organ weights, hematologic parameters, performance, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo injection of folic acid (FA) and sulfur amino acids (SAAs) on the mitotic activity of myocytes, performance, relative organ weight, hematological values, and characteristics of broiler chicken carcasses. A total of 1200 fertile eggs from 42-week-old Ross AP© breeders were inoculated in the albumen on the first day of incubation in a completely randomized design with one of the treatments: C-intact eggs; SS: inoculation with 0.5 mL of saline solution; FA: 0.150 mg of FA; SAA: 5.90 mg of L-methionine and 3.40 mg of L-cysteine; or FA/SAA: FA + SAA. The inoculation of SAA did not influence (p > 0.05) the post-hatching characteristics of the chickens. FA inoculation increased (p < 0.05) the expression of the PAX7 and MYF genes in the pectoralis muscle of hatched chicks and reduced (p < 0.05) feed conversion at 42 days of age. The combination of SAA + FA increased (p < 0.05) the depth of the ileal crypt on the 1st day after hatching and the relative weight of the spleen and thymus on the 21st day of life. In conclusion, the inoculation of FA on the 1st day of incubation increases gene expression and improves the performance of broilers.

Effects of putrescine injection in broiler breeder eggs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing doses of putrescine injected in ovo on hatchability, intestinal morphology and pre-starter performance of broilers. For this purpose, 720 eggs from broiler breeders were separated into a negative control (no injection) and injection treatments with increasing doses of putrescine (0.05; 0.1; 0.15 and 0.2%), totalling five treatments of 144 eggs each. Eggs were distributed in a completely randomized design inside the setter and the injection of solutions occurred at 17 days of incubation. After hatch, 330 birds were housed in mixed lots following the original treatments, totalling 5 treatments of 6 replicates with 11 birds each. Six birds per treatment were weighed and euthanized by cervical dislocation to collect the liver, intestine and breast 24 hr after injection, at hatch and 24 hr after hatch. At 2 days of age, intestines were collected from 4 animals per treatment to analyse histomorphology. The effects of putrescine levels were evaluated by polynomial regression models, ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% probability. The hatchability decreased linearly in response to increased doses of putrescine. The percentage of residual yolk was lower in animals that received putrescine compared to the control. After injection, the percentage of breast increased linearly, and the percentage of intestine had a quadratic response to increased doses of putrescine. However, 24 hr after hatch, the percentage of intestine linearly decreased, and the percentage of liver linearly increased in response to increased doses of putrescine. Villus height increased quadratically, crypt depth decreased linearly, and goblet cells increased linearly in response to the putrescine dose. FI and BWG were not affected in the pre-starter phase; however, FCR increased in response to increased levels of putrescine. Due to putrescine effects on embryos, it is recommended that the doses injected in ovo not exceed 0.1%.

Glycerol inoculation in eggs of young broiler breeders at different embryonic periods.

Small eggs have lesser amounts of nutrients to be used by the embryo, and the yolk glycerol is the main substrate for glycogen production, which is the main energy source in the last days of incubation. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the effect of a glycerol injection in light weight eggs at 2 different days of incubation. To this end, 336 light eggs (55.6 to 58.6 g) from 32-wk-old broiler breeders were incubated. The eggs were divided into 3 treatment groups: 1 group inoculated with saline solution on the 17th d of embryonic development (E17) (control group), the second group injected with a 6 mg glycerol/mL solution at E17, and the third group injected with 6 mg glycerol/mL on the 18th d of incubation (E18). Incubation parameters, liver and muscle glycogen, and broilers performance at 7 d of age were evaluated. Glycerol administration in ovo did not influence hatchability, period of embryonic death or early hatching. Chicks exposed to glycerol in ovo feeding (IOF) used more yolk than birds inoculated with saline solution. Glycerol inoculation at E18 enhanced liver glycogen deposition (P = 0.001) and also improved broilers performance at 7 d, although this improvement in performance and glycogen reserves was not observed when eggs were inoculated at 17 d of incubation. Birds receiving glycerol IOF at E18 showed higher feed intake and body weight gain when compared to the control group and the group inoculated at E17. It was found that glycerol inoculation in light eggs at the 18th d of incubation contributed to raise liver glycerol levels and also to improve broilers performance at 7 d.

Effect of vitamin E in ovo feeding to broiler embryos on hatchability, chick quality, oxidative state, and performance.

The objective of the present study was to ascertain the effect of in ovo feeding of vitamin E (VE) on the incubation results, quality, and oxidative state of newborn chicks and on the initial performance results. The design consisted of randomized blocks with treatments at different levels of VE (0.0, 27.5, 38.5, 49.5, and 60.4 IU). On 17.5 d of embryonic development, 780 eggs underwent in ovo injection using a manual needle. VE supplementation of 60.4 IU provided the highest hatching rate (P < 0.05) and shortest hatch window (P < 0.05). Better results regarding chick physical quality were observed in groups supplemented with VE (body weight, length, newborn chick quality score) and higher chick weight/egg weight ratios (P < 0.05). VE inoculation did not have any effect on the chicks' immunological system (P > 0.05). Greater development of the small intestine (intestine weight/yolk free chick weight and higher villi in duodenum) and better feed conversion over all periods studied (1 to 7, 1 to 14, and 1 to 21 d) were observed among chicks that received in ovo VE supplementation (P < 0.05). The total protein concentrations in the liver and striated breast skeletal muscle tissue were highest in chicks that received 60.4 IU of VE (P < 0.05). The highest catalase activity was observed in the livers of newborn chicks supplemented with 60.4 IU of VE (P < 0.05). It was concluded that in ovo VE supplementation improved the chicks' oxidative state, which led to improvements in incubation results, chick quality and performance results.

Effect of In Ovo Feeding of L-Glutamine to Chick Embryos

In ovo feeding (IOF), injecting nutrients into the amnion of the avian embryo may enhance hatchability, gastrointestinal development and serum metabolism changes. This hypothesis was evaluated with 5 IOF solutions containing L-glutamine. Were used 315 fertile Rhode Island Red eggs were used (breeders with 32-weeks). The experimental design was completely randomized with the treatments constituted by two controls and five solutions containing L-glutamine levels with 45 replicates each. Data collected were subjected to polynomial regression at 5% of significance. Differences (p>0.05) were observed in hatchability and intermediary mortality, with a gradual lower of decrease in hatchability from the IOF of L-glutamine. The yolk sac was higher (p 0.05) after the IOF (control and L-glutamine) in the in ovo fed embryos at 0.5% L-glutamine. IOF of L-glutamine alone enhanced the blood pH and reduced the other serum parameters (p 0.05), which may have fuelled more embryo development, mainly vital organs how as the heart and the liver due to the larger concentration of available nutrients for the embryo. The results of this study indicate that until 0.5% L-glutamine may be supplemented in-ovo to chick embryos without negative influence on chick weight and gastrointestinal tract development, acting as serum biochemical metabolism regulator and obtaining better hatchability.(AU)

Effect of In Ovo Feeding of L-Glutamine to Chick Embryos

In ovo feeding (IOF), injecting nutrients into the amnion of the avian embryo may enhance hatchability, gastrointestinal development and serum metabolism changes. This hypothesis was evaluated with 5 IOF solutions containing L-glutamine. Were used 315 fertile Rhode Island Red eggs were used (breeders with 32-weeks). The experimental design was completely randomized with the treatments constituted by two controls and five solutions containing L-glutamine levels with 45 replicates each. Data collected were subjected to polynomial regression at 5% of significance. Differences (p>0.05) were observed in hatchability and intermediary mortality, with a gradual lower of decrease in hatchability from the IOF of L-glutamine. The yolk sac was higher (p 0.05) after the IOF (control and L-glutamine) in the in ovo fed embryos at 0.5% L-glutamine. IOF of L-glutamine alone enhanced the blood pH and reduced the other serum parameters (p 0.05), which may have fuelled more embryo development, mainly vital organs how as the heart and the liver due to the larger concentration of available nutrients for the embryo. The results of this study indicate that until 0.5% L-glutamine may be supplemented in-ovo to chick embryos without negative influence on chick weight and gastrointestinal tract development, acting as serum biochemical metabolism regulator and obtaining better hatchability.

Effects of in ovo injection of lysine and methionine into fertile broiler (parent stock) eggs on hatchability, growth performance, caecum microbiota, and ileum histomorphology

We investigated the effect of in ovo injection of lysine, methionine, or their mixture into fertile broiler eggs on hatchability, chick weight, growth performance, inner organ development, caecum total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, coliforms, Enterobactericaea, and ileal histomorphology of broilers. Three hundred fertile eggs obtained from 60-week-old Ross 308 broiler breeders were used. Before this study, a preliminary study was conducted to determine the optimal amino acid dose. Optimum amino acid dose was determined as 2 mg/0.2 mL. Before replacing hatching machine, eggs were weighed individually and numbered. On day 16 of incubation, these eggs were allocated to treatment groups: negative control (no injection), positive control (distilled water injection 0.2 mL), lysine (2 mg/0.2 mL), methionine (2 mg/0.2 mL), and lysine + methionine (1 + 1 mg/0.2 mL). The hatching window lasted 32 h. During hatching, chicks hatched in the first hour and the last 6 h were discarded from the study to ensure equal hatching time. After hatching, 120 one-day-old healthy chicks were divided into five treatment groups with three replicates, each including eight birds, for 21 days. These chicks were given a starter diet (3080 kcal/kg metabolizable energy and 22% crude protein) during the trial. The results showed that in ovo injection of lysine, methionine, and lysine + methionine did not affect relative chick weight, livability, growth performance, caecum microbiota, and ileal villi length and thickness. Lysine injection increased hatchability compared with the negative control and methionine-injected groups. Gastrointestinal weight increased in lysine-injected group compared with the negative control group. The in ovo injection of 2 mg/0.2 mL lysine have a positive effect on the hatchability of fertile eggs.(AU)

The effects of in-ovo injection of propolis on egg hatchability and starter live performance of Japanese Quails

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of in-ovo injection of a propolis water extract on hatchability, embryonic mortality, starter live performance, and livability of Japanese quails. In total, 500 fresh hatching eggs were randomly distributed into five treatment groups of 100 eggs per treatment with four replicates of 25 eggs each. On day 14 of incubation, eggs from group 1 were not injected (control), group 2 was injected with distilled water (water), group 3 was injected with 1% propolis water extract (1% propolis), group 4 was injected with 2% propolis water extract (2% propolis), and group 5 was injected with 3% propolis water extract (3% propolis). A completely randomized design was applied, and data were analyzed using the least-square methodology. Hatchability and embryonic mortality in the 2% propolis and 3% propolis treatment groups were significantly lower compared with the control group, but no significant differences were observed between the 1% propolis and control groups. There were no significant bodyweight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or livability differences among treatments. The results of this study demonstrated that in-ovo injection of propolis water extract, especially at doses of 2% and 3% propolis, had negative effects on hatchability and embryonic mortality, but 1% propolis had no detrimental effects on hatchability or embryonic mortality. In all treatment groups, propolis did not negatively affect body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or livability.(AU)

The effects of in-ovo injection of propolis on egg hatchability and starter live performance of Japanese Quails

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of in-ovo injection of a propolis water extract on hatchability, embryonic mortality, starter live performance, and livability of Japanese quails. In total, 500 fresh hatching eggs were randomly distributed into five treatment groups of 100 eggs per treatment with four replicates of 25 eggs each. On day 14 of incubation, eggs from group 1 were not injected (control), group 2 was injected with distilled water (water), group 3 was injected with 1% propolis water extract (1% propolis), group 4 was injected with 2% propolis water extract (2% propolis), and group 5 was injected with 3% propolis water extract (3% propolis). A completely randomized design was applied, and data were analyzed using the least-square methodology. Hatchability and embryonic mortality in the 2% propolis and 3% propolis treatment groups were significantly lower compared with the control group, but no significant differences were observed between the 1% propolis and control groups. There were no significant bodyweight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or livability differences among treatments. The results of this study demonstrated that in-ovo injection of propolis water extract, especially at doses of 2% and 3% propolis, had negative effects on hatchability and embryonic mortality, but 1% propolis had no detrimental effects on hatchability or embryonic mortality. In all treatment groups, propolis did not negatively affect body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or livability.

Inoculação de maltose e/ou sacarose em ovos leves embrionados / Effect of maltose and sucrose supplementation on embryonic light eggs

Hatchery parameters, performance of chicks on initial phase (until 14 days) and intestinal maturity of birds from light eggs supplemented with maltose and sucrose were studied. The treatments were as follows: eggs without supplementation; eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L); eggs with 0.6mL of maltose solution (136 g/L); eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (204 g/L); and eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L) and sucrose (68 g/mL). The supplementation took place on the 16th day of incubation. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and 120 replicates and as for performance we used randomized blocks with four treatments and six replicates and ten birds in each experimental unit. The supplementation did not affect eclodibility, chick weight, and intestinal development of light chicks. Simple or combined maltose egg supplementation did not bring benefits to initial performance of birds.(AU)

Foram estudados os parâmetros de incubação, maturidade gastrintestinal e desempenho até 14 dias de pintos de corte oriundos de ovos leves (55,82 ± 1,64g) inoculados com maltose e/ou sacarose, aos 16 dias de incubação. Os tratamentos compreenderam ovos íntegros e ovos suplementados com 0,6 mL de solução de maltose 68 g/L; com maltose 136 g/L; com maltose 204 g/L; com maltose e sacarose (68 g/L + 68 g/L). O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e 120 repetições, sendo um ovo a unidade experimental e para desempenho seis repetições e dez aves por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos ao proc glm do SAS e ao teste de Tukey (P 0,05).  A inoculação de carboidratos aumentou os períodos requeridos para bicagem da membrana interna, da casca e para eclosão As suplementações com maltose ou  maltose+sacarose não interferiram na eclodibilidade e no peso do neonato. O nível de 68g/L de maltose proporcionou maior altura de vilo no primeiro dia de vida, entretanto, esse efeito não foi observado com 10 dias de idade. O nível de 204g/L prejudicou o desenvolvimento gastrintestinal de pintos. Ovos leves inoculados com maltose combinada ou não com sacarose não resultam em pintos com maior desempenho na fase inicial.(AU)

Inoculação de maltose e/ou sacarose em ovos leves embrionados

Hatchery parameters, performance of chicks on initial phase (until 14 days) and intestinal maturity of birds from light eggs supplemented with maltose and sucrose were studied. The treatments were as follows: eggs without supplementation; eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L); eggs with 0.6mL of maltose solution (136 g/L); eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (204 g/L); and eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L) and sucrose (68 g/mL). The supplementation took place on the 16th day of incubation. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and 120 replicates and as for performance we used randomized blocks with four treatments and six replicates and ten birds in each experimental unit. The supplementation did not affect eclodibility, chick weight, and intestinal development of light chicks. Simple or combined maltose egg supplementation did not bring benefits to initial performance of birds.

Foram estudados os parâmetros de incubação, maturidade gastrintestinal e desempenho até 14 dias de pintos de corte oriundos de ovos leves (55,82 ± 1,64g) inoculados com maltose e/ou sacarose, aos 16 dias de incubação. Os tratamentos compreenderam ovos íntegros e ovos suplementados com 0,6 mL de solução de maltose 68 g/L; com maltose 136 g/L; com maltose 204 g/L; com maltose e sacarose (68 g/L + 68 g/L). O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e 120 repetições, sendo um ovo a unidade experimental e para desempenho seis repetições e dez aves por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos ao proc glm do SAS e ao teste de Tukey (P 0,05). A inoculação de carboidratos aumentou os períodos requeridos para bicagem da membrana interna, da casca e para eclosão As suplementações com maltose ou maltose+sacarose não interferiram na eclodibilidade e no peso do neonato. O nível de 68g/L de maltose proporcionou maior altura de vilo no primeiro dia de vida, entretanto, esse efeito não foi observado com 10 dias de idade. O nível de 204g/L prejudicou o desenvolvimento gastrintestinal de pintos. Ovos leves inoculados com maltose combinada ou não com sacarose não resultam em pintos com maior desempenho na fase inicial.

Inoculação de maltose e/ou sacarose em ovos leves embrionados / Effect of maltose and sucrose supplementation on embryonic light eggs

Hatchery parameters, performance of chicks on initial phase (until 14 days) and intestinal maturity of birds from light eggs supplemented with maltose and sucrose were studied. The treatments were as follows: eggs without supplementation; eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L); eggs with 0.6mL of maltose solution (136 g/L); eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (204 g/L); and eggs with 0.6 mL of maltose solution (68 g/L) and sucrose (68 g/mL). The supplementation took place on the 16th day of incubation. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and 120 replicates and as for performance we used randomized blocks with four treatments and six replicates and ten birds in each experimental unit. The supplementation did not affect eclodibility, chick weight, and intestinal development of light chicks. Simple or combined maltose egg supplementation did not bring benefits to initial performance of birds.

Foram estudados os parâmetros de incubação, maturidade gastrintestinal e desempenho até 14 dias de pintos de corte oriundos de ovos leves (55,82 ± 1,64g) inoculados com maltose e/ou sacarose, aos 16 dias de incubação. Os tratamentos compreenderam ovos íntegros e ovos suplementados com 0,6 mL de solução de maltose 68 g/L; com maltose 136 g/L; com maltose 204 g/L; com maltose e sacarose (68 g/L + 68 g/L). O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados com cinco tratamentos e 120 repetições, sendo um ovo a unidade experimental e para desempenho seis repetições e dez aves por parcela. Os dados foram submetidos ao proc glm do SAS e ao teste de Tukey (P 0,05).  A inoculação de carboidratos aumentou os períodos requeridos para bicagem da membrana interna, da casca e para eclosão As suplementações com maltose ou  maltose+sacarose não interferiram na eclodibilidade e no peso do neonato. O nível de 68g/L de maltose proporcionou maior altura de vilo no primeiro dia de vida, entretanto, esse efeito não foi observado com 10 dias de idade. O nível de 204g/L prejudicou o desenvolvimento gastrintestinal de pintos. Ovos leves inoculados com maltose combinada ou não com sacarose não resultam em pintos com maior desempenho na fase inicial.

Inoculação de maltose, sacarose ou glicose em ovos embrionados de baixo peso / Effect of maltose, sucrose and glucose supplementation in embryonatedlow-weight eggs

Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação com diferentes carboidratos e o local de inoculação em ovos de baixo peso. Para isso foram avaliados os parâmetros de incubação, biometria do trato gastrintestinal, morfometria intestinal e o desempenho de pintos de corte. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e 120 repetições para a incubação e quatro tratamentos e dez repetições para os demais parâmetros avaliados. Os tratamentos consistiram no ovo íntegro; ovo inoculado na cavidade alantoide por meio da câmara de ar; ovo inoculado na cavidade alantoide com solução de maltose, ou sacarose ou de glicose. Os tratamentos de um a 21 dias de idade foram realizados com as aves provenientes dos ovos inoculados com as soluções na cavidade alantoide Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, teste de Tukey (p < 0,05) e qui-quadrado. A inoculação por meio da câmara de ar provocou alta mortalidade e piorou a eclodibilidade. Pintos oriundos de ovos suplementados com carboidratos nasceram com maior peso, entretanto esse efeito não se manteve após o alojamento. A suplementação de carboidratos em ovo não estimulou o desenvolvimento gastrintestinal de pintos de corte e não influenciou o desempenho na fase inicial de criação.(AU)

This work aimed to evaluate the supplementation of different carbohydrates and form of inoculation in low-weight eggs. Hatchery parameters, biometry of intestinal tract, intestinal morphometry and performance of broiler chicks were evaluated. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and 120 replications for hatching eggs and four treatments and ten replications for the others parameters. The treatments were designed as follows: whole egg; inoculation on allantoidal cavity through air cell; inoculation on allantoidal cavity with solution of maltose, or glucose or sucrose. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey test and chi-square test. The results showed that the inoculation through air cell caused increase of embryo mortality and decrease of hatchability. Chicks from eggs inoculated with carbohydrates were born heavier than those not inoculated, but this extra weight was not maintained on the first day. The supplementation of carbohydrates in ovo did not increase the intestinal development and did not affect the initial performance of broiler chicks.(AU)

Inoculação de maltose, sacarose ou glicose em ovos embrionados de baixo peso / Effect of maltose, sucrose and glucose supplementation in embryonatedlow-weight eggs

Objetivou-se avaliar a suplementação com diferentes carboidratos e o local de inoculação em ovos de baixo peso. Para isso foram avaliados os parâmetros de incubação, biometria do trato gastrintestinal, morfometria intestinal e o desempenho de pintos de corte. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco tratamentos e 120 repetições para a incubação e quatro tratamentos e dez repetições para os demais parâmetros avaliados. Os tratamentos consistiram no ovo íntegro; ovo inoculado na cavidade alantoide por meio da câmara de ar; ovo inoculado na cavidade alantoide com solução de maltose, ou sacarose ou de glicose. Os tratamentos de um a 21 dias de idade foram realizados com as aves provenientes dos ovos inoculados com as soluções na cavidade alantoide Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, teste de Tukey (p < 0,05) e qui-quadrado. A inoculação por meio da câmara de ar provocou alta mortalidade e piorou a eclodibilidade. Pintos oriundos de ovos suplementados com carboidratos nasceram com maior peso, entretanto esse efeito não se manteve após o alojamento. A suplementação de carboidratos em ovo não estimulou o desenvolvimento gastrintestinal de pintos de corte e não influenciou o desempenho na fase inicial de criação.

This work aimed to evaluate the supplementation of different carbohydrates and form of inoculation in low-weight eggs. Hatchery parameters, biometry of intestinal tract, intestinal morphometry and performance of broiler chicks were evaluated. The experimental design used was randomized blocks with five treatments and 120 replications for hatching eggs and four treatments and ten replications for the others parameters. The treatments were designed as follows: whole egg; inoculation on allantoidal cavity through air cell; inoculation on allantoidal cavity with solution of maltose, or glucose or sucrose. The data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey test and chi-square test. The results showed that the inoculation through air cell caused increase of embryo mortality and decrease of hatchability. Chicks from eggs inoculated with carbohydrates were born heavier than those not inoculated, but this extra weight was not maintained on the first day. The supplementation of carbohydrates in ovo did not increase the intestinal development and did not affect the initial performance of broiler chicks.