Effects ofin ovofeeding of vitamin C on post-hatch performance, immune status and DNA methylation-related gene expression in broiler chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding (IOF) of vitamin C at embryonic age 11 (E11) on post-hatch performance, immune status and DNA methylation-related gene expression in broiler chickens. A total of 240 Arbor Acres breeder eggs (63 (sem 0·5) g) were randomly divided into two groups: normal saline and vitamin C (VC) groups. After incubation, newly hatched chicks from each group were randomly divided into six replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Hatchability, average daily feed intake (D21–42 and D1–42), and average daily gain and feed conversion ratio (D1–21) were improved by vitamin C treatment (P < 0·05). IOF of vitamin C increased vitamin C content (D1), total antioxidant capacity (D42), IgA (D1), IgM (D1 and D21), stimulation index for T lymphocyte (D35) and lysozyme activity (D21) in plasma (P < 0·05). On D21, vitamin C increased the splenic expression of IL-4 and DNMT1 and decreased IL-1β, Tet2, Tet3 and Gadd45β expression (P < 0·05). On D42, vitamin C increased the splenic expression of IL-4 and DNMT3A and decreased IFN-γ, Tet3, MBD4 and TDG expression (P < 0·05). In conclusion, the vitamin C via in ovo injection can be absorbed by broiler’s embryo and IOF of vitamin C at E11 improves the post-hatch performance and immune status and, to some extent, the antioxidant capacity of broiler chickens. The expression of enzyme-related DNA methylation and demethylation indicates that the level of DNA methylation may increase in spleen in the VC group and whether the fluctuating expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is related to DNA methylation change remained to be further investigated.

In ovo feeding of vitamin C regulates splenic development through purine nucleotide metabolism and induction of apoptosis in broiler chickens

“…Current studies suggested that the pro-apoptotic/anti-oxidative effects of vitamin C are related to the pro-oxidative/anti-oxidative effects in cells, which can Accepted manuscript induce apoptosis at high doses of vitamin C (35)(36)(37) . Nevertheless, the prior study showed that IOF of 3 mg vitamin C at E11 could increase the total antioxidant capacity of plasma at D 42, and had no significant effect on the levels of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malonaldehyde (6) . Zhang et al (15) reported that IOF of 12 mg ascorbic acid at E 17 could reduce the level of malonaldehyde in plasma and thus had a positive effect on the antioxidant capacity of broilers.…”

“…The eggs were injected on embryonic day (E) 11 (6) . The experimental treatment is as follows: 1) the CON group was injected with normal saline, and the injection volume was 0.1 mL; 2) the VC group was injected with the same volume of vitamin C (Sigma-Aldrich Inc., USA) solution with concentration of 30 mg/mL (6) . The injection procedure is as follows: Removing the embryo-free eggs and dead sperm eggs, and determine the position of the yolk sac after candling; sterilize the air chamber with 75% alcohol, and drill a hole with the diameter of about 1 mm, then, sterilize the surrounding area with 75% alcohol again; the nutrients were slowly injected into the yolk sac of the embryo egg with 1 mL syringe.…”

“…The in ovo injection technology was originally designed to induce immune response by vaccination delivery in broiler hatcheries. Later, with increasing focus on the delayed intake of water and nutrients to chicks during the transition between the hatchery and the broiler farm, the use of in ovo injection for efficacy evaluation of the various nutrients in improving embryonic development, hatchability, post-hatch performance, and immune function is gradually extended, such as amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, probiotics, and plant extracts (4)(5)(6)(7)(8) . In addition, with the shortening of the market cycle of broilers, the proportion of the incubation period in the whole life cycle is increased correspondingly.…”

“…Previous studies have shown that the immune activity and Accepted manuscript anti-stress ability of broilers can be effectively improved in response to IOF of vitamin C (14,15) . Also, our laboratory had reported that vitamin C supplementation in embryonic period was able to improve plasma antibody levels and regulated immune-related gene expression, thus improved the immune status of broilers (6,16) .…”

PRENATAL NUTRITION OF POULTRY AND ITS POSTNATAL EFFECTS (review)

“…(63): при инъекции 11-суточным эмбрионам аскорбиновой кислоты (3 мг/яйцо) наблюдали и улучшение выводимости, и увеличение скорости роста цыплят до 42-суточного возраста. Более того, те же авторы обнаружили повышение экспрессии генов IL-4 и DNMT1 и снижение -IL-1, Tet 2, Tet 3 и Gadd 45 (р < 0,05) в тканях селезенки у 21-суточных цыплят, получавших аскорбиновую кислоту на 11-е сут инкубации (63). По-видимому, эффект антиоксидантов зависит от особенностей жирнокислотного состава яйца и содержания эндогенных антиокислителей.…”