Date of Graduation

7-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Poultry Science (PhD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Poultry Science

Advisor/Mentor

Bottje, Walter G.

Committee Member

Hargis, Billy M.

Second Committee Member

Wideman, Robert F. Jr.

Third Committee Member

Erf, Gisela F.

Fourth Committee Member

Bielke, Lisa R.

Fifth Committee Member

Dridi, Sami

Sixth Committee Member

Baum, Jamie I.

Keywords

dextrin; gene; growth; hatch; In ovo; iodinated casein

Abstract

Six experiments were conducted to determine effects of in ovo feeding of dextrin (Dext, 18% maltodextrin, 10% potato starch dextrin) and iodinated casein (IC) on hatch and growth performance in broilers. In each experiment, approximately 15,000 eggs (2500 eggs per group) were treated at 18.5 to 19 d of embryonic development. Three studies indicated that hatch weights were higher in chicks receiving Dext or Dext containing IC at 240 or 480 µg/mL and only one study indicated negative effects of Dext or 240 µg IC/mL saline on hatch weight. In one growth study, broilers provided Dext or Dext with IC at 240 or 480 µg/mL in ovo were heavier at 6 wk compared to Controls (Cont). A second growth study indicated that chicks that received Dext had less weight loss after a 24 h holding period and body weight gain (from d1 to d10) was improved by Dext with or without 240 or 480 µg IC/mL. Gene expression analysis conducted on liver and heart tissue obtained from embryos 24 h after in ovo feeding of saline and Dext with or without IC at 240 or 480 g/mL indicate that the in ovo feeding treatments may impact expression of genes in embryonic liver and heart tissue associated with mitochondria and fat metabolism. A delay in hatch that was associated with higher hatch weights and lower plasma β-hydroxy butyrate (an indicator of keto acidosis) levels in chicks provided Dext alone or Dext with 240 µg/mL IC in ovo, indicates that these treatments can positively impact energy balance and improve chick quality. The results of these studies indicate that in ovo feeding of dextrin and iodinated casein can have a positive effect on hatch weights, chick quality, and early growth that could result in increased production efficiency in the poultry industry. There was indication also that the in ovo feeding treatments may impact expression of genes in embryonic liver and heart tissue associated with mitochondria and fat metabolism.

Available for download on Saturday, August 30, 2025

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