Effects of In Ovo Injection of Coenzyme Q10 on Hatchability, Subsequent Performance, and Immunity of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Effects of in ovo injection of Q10 on hatchability, performance (feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed/gain ratio (F/G)) traits, and immune status of Ross × Ross 308 broiler chicks, hatched from eggs laid by a 38-week-old breeder flock, were determined through 42 days after hatch. Eggs containing live embryos were injected in the amnion with 0.1 and 0.2 mL Q10 solution on day 18 of incubation. Two controls groups were included as sham and/or as an uninjected group. At 28 and 42 days of age, performance traits, serum enzyme activity, weights of immune organs, and serum antibody titer of viral diseases were determined. Results were shown that hatchability % increased by Q10 on average of 6.54% (P≤0.025) and body weight/egg weight after hatching increased up to 4.74% (P≤0.002), compared with uninjected and sham controls. Injection of Q10 at different levels led to significant increases (P≤0.001) in performance traits all over the rearing period (P<0.05). Weight of immune organs significantly improved compared to uninjected and sham controls (P<0.05). In addition, serum antibody titers of viral diseases as well as serum enzyme activity of AST, ALT, CAT, and SOD were significantly changed by Q10 treated groups than controls (P≤0.01). In conclusion, in ovo injection of Q10 at levels of 0.1 and 0.2 mL led to significant increases in hatchability%, internal egg characteristics, and performance parameters as well as serum enzyme activity, weight of immune organs, and serum antibody titer of ND, AI, and IBD diseases.