Effects of in ovo feeding of vitamin E or vitamin C on egg hatchability, performance, carcass traits and immunity in broiler chickens

Abstract

The effect of in ovo feeding of different levels of vitamins C and E on egg hatchability, immune response, growth and carcass traits of broiler chickens were investigated. A total of 672 fertilized eggs were assigned to one of eight experimental groups having three replicates with 28 eggs as follows: (1) negative control (not injected); (2) positive control (injected with 0.2 mL deionized water); (3) vitamin C at 1 mg; (4) vitamin C at 3 mg; (5) vitamin C at 6 mg; (6) vitamin E at 0.5 IU; (7) vitamin E at 0.75 IU; and (8) vitamin E at 1.0 IU. At the end of incubation, the number of chicks hatched, and their individual body weight were recorded. Among hatched birds, a total of 240 mixed chicks were randomly selected (30 subject per group equally shared in three pen floors). Chicks were vaccinated against Avian Influenza, Gumboro, Bronchitis, and Newcastle disease virus. Performance parameters were weekly evaluated until 42 days of age. At days 28 and 42, broiler serum and spleen and Bursa of Fabricius relative weight were assessed as well as on day 42 the carcass traits. From results, in ovo injection with 3 mg of vitamin C or 0.75 IU of vitamin E, increased significantly (p < .05) the embryos hatchability when compared to the negative control. However, body weight at hatch and growth performance parameters showed no differences among treatments. Similarly, in ovo concentrations of vitamins C or E showed no differences on carcass traits, immunity-related organs weight or immune response for anti-Newcastle disease hemagglutination-inhibition and total immunoglobulins against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) when compared to the control groups. Based on findings, it can be concluded that in ovo feeding vitamins E and C supported positively chicken embryos hatchability demonstrating the key-role as antioxidant agents; however, further studies are currently being evaluated.

Keywords:

• Broiler
• in ovo feeding
• hatchability
• growth
• vitamin C
• vitamin E

Acknowledgments

The work was supported by the Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University (grant number 17.16.3.16303). The authors are also grateful to the Russian Science Foundation for financial support in carrying out research on scientific project No. 21-16-00025, NIIMMP.

Disclosure statement

All authors agree to the publication of this manuscript and declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University [grant number 17.16.3.16303]. The research study was conducted under the grant of the RSF No. 21-16-00025, SSI NIIMMP.