Background: Early post-hatch growth and immunity were assessed through in ovo supplementation of nutrients: amino acids (AA), trace elements (TE), fatty acids and vitamins (FAV) grouped under humoral immunity (HI) or cell-mediated immunity (CMI) on the 18th day of incubation at the broad end of the egg using a 25 mm needle.
Results: Hatchability in AA groups was better than TE and FAV groups. CMI groups had better hatchability than HI groups. AA and TE groups had higher chick-to-egg weight ratio (P < 0.01) than the FAV group. At 3 weeks of age, a higher body weight (P < 0.01) was recorded in AA for CMI, TE for HI and FAV for HI groups. FAV-injected chicks had a higher bursa weight at hatch, but TE chicks had higher thymus weight at the 3rd week of age. Humoral immune response was not different in in ovo injected chicks compared to control. CMI was higher (P < 0.01) in AA for CMI, TE for CMI and FAV for CMI or HI nutrient-injected chicks.
Conclusions: In ovo injection of AA for CMI and TE for HI may accelerate growth of broiler chickens. In ovo injection of AA, TE or FAV may modulate CMI in chicks.
Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.