Effects of in Ovo Feeding With Glycosaminoglycans and Vitamins on Intestinal Morphometry and Cadherin-1 Gene Copy Abundance in Broilers.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of in ovo feeding with glycosaminoglycans and vitamins, combined with amphotericin and gentamicin, on incubation traits, intestinal morphometry, organ development, and cadherin-1 gene relative abundance in broilers. Fertile Ross 308 breeder eggs were randomly assigned to the following five treatments: uninjected eggs; eggs injected with a solution containing amphotericin, gentamicin, ascorbic acid, and pyridoxine; the same solution supplemented with chondroitin sulfate; glucosamine sulfate; or both glycosaminoglycans. Hatching rate, embryo mortality, and total mortality were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Broilers from the solution-based treatment showed higher relative heart weight at 1 day of age (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphometric parameters increased with age in both the jejunum and ileum. In ovo feeding modulated villus height, crypt depth, and villus height-crypt depth ratio, particularly in the ileum during early posthatch development. The relative abundance of the cadherin-1 (CDH1) gene was influenced by the interaction between in ovo feeding and age, with higher values observed in broilers receiving glycosaminoglycan-supplemented solutions at specific posthatch periods. In conclusion, in ovo feeding with glycosaminoglycans and vitamins modulated early intestinal development and relative heart weight without impairing hatchability in broilers.