Effect of in ovo injection of raffinose on growth performance and gut health parameters of broiler chicken

Abstract

The effects of in ovo injection of raffinose (RFO) as a prebiotic on growth performance, relative weight of proventriculus, gizzard, drumstick and breast muscles, and ileum mucosa morphology were examined in Cobb 500 broilers. A total of 240 fertilized eggs were divided into 4 groups: a non-injected with intact shell and 3 levels of RFO solution (1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 mg in 0.2 mL of an aqueous diluents). The RFO solution was injected into the air sac on d 12 of incubation. In total 144 birds were fed a standard diet and management and sacrificed at d 21 post hatch for collection of samples. Total RNA was extracted from the small intestine, and RT-qPCR was performed to quantify mRNA levels of marker genes of immune cells. Injection of RFO had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on d one body weight of chicks. On d 21, the relative weight of the proventriculus, drumstick, breast, and gizzard was not affected (P > 0.05) by RFO. On hatch d, the villus height increased linearly (P < 0.01) with an increasing dose of RFO. Also, an increasing dose of RFO increased the villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05) but did not affect the crypt depth on d 21. The expression levels of CD3 and chB6, which are T cell and B cell marker genes, respectively, were significantly enhanced by high dose RFO (4.5 mg). In conclusion, although an increasing dose of RFO in ovo injection did not significantly influence growth performance or slaughter yield of broilers, RFO has the potential of enhancing ileum mucosa morphology and improving immunity in the small intestine, which are indicators of improved gut health.

Injection of Raffinose Family Oligosaccharides at 12 Days of Egg Incubation Modulates the Gut Development and Resistance to Opportunistic Pathogens in Broiler Chickens

“…Our results are mostly in line with the findings of Berrocoso et al [24]. We found several beneficial effects in the adult birds related to gut health (Table 4), after a single in ovo injection of RFO prebiotic on day 12 of egg incubation: 1/ the villi surface in the duodenum increased at day 21, raising the potential for nutrients absorption from enterocytes, 2/ the weight and length of the cecum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon showed a tendency to decrease by day 42.…”

“…However, the microbiota composition is highly dependent on the age of the individual, and it was proved that the effect of the host age is stronger than the post-hatch bacteria treatments (probiotic or live attenuated Salmonella vaccine) provided after hatching [55]. We support the hypotheses that the most promising strategies to modulate gut health effectively are based on in ovo applications [24,56]. Different approaches have been discussed elsewhere [7,57].…”

“…Berrocoso et al [24] delivered increasing doses of raffinose family oligosaccharides in ovo to Cobb500 breeder eggs and did not observe influence on growth performance or slaughter yield of the broilers. The origin of RFO was not given.…”

“…The prebiotic improved intestine structure of the ileum and immune response indicators. Berrocoso et al [24] concluded that the injection of RFO during embryogenesis may be a worthwhile strategy for early programming of gut health.…”

“…2/ improving the ileum mucosa morphology and immunity in the small intestine [8,24]; 3/stimulation of the immune system by accelerated development of lymphatic organs and impact on cytokines genes expression in spleen and cecal tonsils [53,54].…”