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In ovo feeding of creatine monohydrate increases performances of hatching and development in breeder chicks
Lucas Duque Melo1, Frank George Guimarães Cruz1, João Paulo Ferreira Rufino1
1Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.
Insights
In ovo feeding of creatine monohydrate (CMH) in breeder chick embryos improved hatching weight and gastrointestinal development but negatively impacted hatchability and increased embryonic mortality.
Area of Science:
- Poultry Science
- Embryology
- Animal Nutrition
Background:
- In ovo feeding is a technique to provide nutrients to avian embryos before hatching.
- Creatine monohydrate (CMH) is a popular supplement for muscle growth and energy metabolism.
- Understanding CMH's effects on embryonic development is crucial for optimizing poultry production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of in ovo creatine monohydrate (CMH) administration on Rhode Island Red chick embryos.
- To assess impacts on hatchability, embryonic mortality, hatching weight, and key organ development.
Main Methods:
- Fertile Rhode Island Red eggs were divided into seven treatment groups.
- Treatments included a control, saline solution, and varying concentrations of CMH (0.50% to 2.00%).
- In ovo injections were administered, and outcomes like hatchability and organ development were measured.
Main Results:
- In ovo CMH administration decreased hatchability and increased embryonic mortality.
- Hatching weight was significantly increased in CMH-treated groups.
- Development of the heart and gastrointestinal tract, including key digestive organs and absorption regions, was stimulated.
Conclusions:
- In ovo feeding of CMH positively influences hatching weight and gastrointestinal tract development in chicks.
- However, CMH supplementation via in ovo injection negatively affects hatchability and embryonic survival.
- Further research is needed to balance benefits and drawbacks for practical application.
Abstract:
The current investigation was conducted to test the potential effects of in ovo feeding of creatine monohydrate (CMH) on hatchability, embryonic mortality, hatching weight, and development of heart and gastrointestinal tract (main organs and regions) of breeder chick embryos. Rhode Island Red fertile eggs were randomly distributed into seven experimental treatments: untreated egg (control), a sterile buffered solution (0.50% NaCl), and five solutions containing increased levels of CMH (0.50, 1.00, 1.50, and 2.00%) + 0.50% NaCl, being separated in four groups/replicates (three with 15 eggs and one with 16 eggs), totaling 61 eggs/treatment and a total of 427 fertile eggs used. All-in ovo injected groups with CMH decreased the hatchability and increased the intermediary embryonic mortality. At hatching, all-in ovo injected groups with CMH also increased the hatching weight and stimulated the development of the heart and the total length of the gastrointestinal tract, especially important organs for digestion of nutrients (yolk sac, pro-ventricle and gizzard) and regions for nutrient absorption (jejunum + ileum and colon + rectum). Conclusively, the in ovo feeding using CMH showed positive impacts on hatching weight and the development of gastrointestinal tract of chicks. However, caused negative impacts on hatchability.
