Influence of a Commercial Synbiotic Administered In Ovo and In-Water on Broiler Chicken Performance and Meat Quality

Abstract

The present study aimed to test the synbiotic PoultryStar® solUS delivered in ovo to evaluate its effect on hatchability, productive performance and meat quality, compared to its post-hatch administration in water. On the twelfth day of embryonic incubation, 1200 fertile eggs were divided into synbiotic groups injected with 2 mg/embryo (T1) and 3 mg/embryo (T2), a saline group injected with physiological saline and an uninjected control group (C). After hatching, 120 male chicks/group were reared and chicks from the saline group were supplemented with the synbiotic via drinking water (T3). Hatchability was low in both T1 and T2 groups. Growth performance was not affected by the treatments. However, in the second rearing phase (15–36 days), birds from the C and T3 groups were heavier than T1 birds, due to a higher feed intake and daily weight gain. Neither route of synbiotic administration influenced final body weight (at 56 days), weight and yield of the carcass or commercial cuts. Physico-chemical properties, total lipid, cholesterol and fatty acid composition of breast muscle were not affected by the treatments. Considering its exploratory nature, this study has raised many questions that need further investigation, such as the bioactive combination and the effect on embryonic development.

Effect of different synbiotic administration methods on growth, carcass characteristics, ileum histomorphometry, and blood biochemistry of Cobb-500 broilers

“…In ovo feeding with Lactobacillus acidophilus and mannan-oligosaccharide, or their combination, significantly enhanced hatch weight without influencing hatchability or livability [ 36 ]. Hatchability was negatively influenced by in ovo synbiotic [ 37 ], which supports the present study findings. Supplying nutrients from outside during embryonic development advances gut development and enhances nutrient digestion and absorption.…”

“…For example, some studies suggest that synbiotics do not significantly impact poultry belly fat [ 29 , 72 ]. Whilst, one of the studies indicated synbiotics can boost broiler performance, economic gain, and feed conversion by reducing abdominal fat [ 37 ]. This research clearly indicates a potential link between synbiotic supplementation and a decrease in visible fat in broiler carcasses.…”

Hatchery and Dietary Application of Synbiotics in Broilers: Performance and mRNA Abundance of Ileum Tight Junction Proteins, Nutrient Transporters, and Immune Response Markers

“…According to a previous study, in ovo application and the continued dietary use of a synbiotic ( E. faecium and a prebiotic inulin) were reported to be insufficient to promote overall (d 0–42) broiler performance [ 11 ]. Similarly, in ovo inoculation of different synbiotics on embryonic day 12 (E12) did not influence broiler performance post hatch [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. However, the early introduction of these compounds was reported to have more pronounced effects on broiler performance under challenge conditions [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Influence of using synbiotics by various routes on Mandarah male chicks: intestinal bacterial counts, gut morphology and histological status

“…A particular focus is on treatments based on natural products, such as using prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics to treat the gut microbiota ( Youssef et al, 2018 ; Mohammed et al, 2021 ). Because synbiotics are a synergistic combination of probiotics and prebiotics that promote the viability and implantation of beneficial microbes in the digestive tract and have been shown to improve or preserve intestinal morphology, they may be more effective than prebiotics and probiotics alone ( Tavaniello et al, 2023 ). Probiotics are designed to increase the growth of beneficial bacteria in the lower part of the intestine and inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the animal's digestive system.…”