Effect of early feeding of L-arginine and L-threonine on hatchability and post-hatch performance of broiler chicken

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding (IOF) of L-arginine (Arg) and L-threonine (Thr) in the broiler. For this purpose, 500 embryonated eggs were randomly allocated into five treatment groups of four replicates 25 eggs/replicate. The five treatments were arranged as (1) non-injected control, (2) 0.75% NaCl injected group, (3) 25 mg/egg Arg 4) 25 mg/egg Thr, and (5) Arg + Thr25 mg/egg. On the 17th day of incubation, 0.5 ml of treatment solution was injected into the amniotic fluid of all treatment groups. The result showed that the supplementation group of Arg + Thr significantly (P < 0.05) improved the hatchability, post-hatch growth performance, organ weight, and organ development in compression to sham control and other treatment groups. The antibiotic titer of NDV was improved in Arg + Thr group. Moreover, hematological indices were improved significantly in Arg + Thr group. The plasma concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were noted to decrease in Arg + Thr group. Histopathological investigation revealed that IOF of Arg + Thr increased the villi length and crypt depth of the intestine. Conclusively, the IOF Arg and Thr could be an effective way to optimize the health and productive performance of broilers.

Keywords: Broiler; Growth performance; Hatchability; In ovo feeding; L-arginine; L-threonine.