Maternal Supplementation of Collagen Peptide Chelated Trace Elements Enhances Skeletal Muscle Development in Chicks

Maternal nutrition plays an important role in regulating the growth and development of offspring. Collagen peptide chelated trace elements (PTE), as a new additive, have been proven to have a positive maternal effect on the intestinal health of offspring, but its effect on the growth and development is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal PTE supplementation on the skeletal muscle development of offspring. A total of 270 breeder hens were randomly divided into 3 groups, and fed basal diet (CON), basal diet + 500 mg/kg PTE (L-PTE), and 1000 mg/kg PTE (H-PTE) for 8 weeks. A total of 180 eggs were collected from each group for incubation, and then the hatched male chicks (6 replicates, 12 chicks/replicate) were allocated according to maternal treatment for a 14-day feeding experiment. The results showed that maternal PTE supplementation significantly increased the deposition of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) in the egg yolk (P < 0.05). In comparison with the CON group, the body weight (days 1 and 14), breast muscle weight (day 14), and muscle fiber density (day 14) of broilers were increased in the L-PTE group (P < 0.05). The serum creatinine (CREA) levels in 1-day-old broilers were reduced in the L-PTE group and H-PTE group (P < 0.05). Additionally, maternal PTE supplementation could upregulate the relative expression level of catalase (CAT) mRNA in breast muscle (P < 0.05). The relative mRNA levels of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1) in the H-PTE group were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05). Moreover, PTE treatment upregulated the mRNA expression of skeletal muscle development-related genes (Pax7 and MyoG) and the IGF signaling pathway (mTOR, IGF-1R, and IGF-2R) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, maternal PTE supplementation may improve the growth performance and skeletal muscle development of offspring by activating the IGF signaling pathway.