Comparison of the effect of in ovo injection of L and DL methionine on embryonic growth, hatchability percentage and performance of broiler chickens

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Animal Science Department, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran

2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Fishery, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran.

3 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Animal Science and Fishery, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran

Abstract

Methionine is the first limiting amino acid in the poultry diet, and it plays essential roles in energy production and protein synthesis, increasing the growth performance of broiler chickens. This trial was conducted to compare the effect of L- and DL-Methionine on hatchability, productive performance and biochemistry of some blood parameters of broiler chicken from 1 to 7 day of age. On days 16 of incubation, 800 fertile egg (Ross 308) were randomly divided between 8 treatments (and 4 replicates) including 3 levels of L-Methionine (10, 20 and 30 mg), 3 levels of DL-Methionine (10, 20 and 30 mg) and two control treatments including negative (no injection) and positive (injection of 200 microliters of saline) control. Results showed that all treatments significantly (p<0.05) decreased the hatchability, without no effect on chick weight, chick to egg weight ratio and feed intake from 1 to 7 days of age. Birds received 30 mg L-Methionine showed the best BWG (27.3 g) and FCR (0.62). Likewise, 30 mg L-Methionine increased the carcass to live weight ratio (50.5) significantly (p<0.04). The applied treatments compare to the negative control group significantly (P<0.04) decreased triglyceride content of serum in the chickens. In general, the results of this research showed that injection of 30 mg of L-methionine compared to DL-methionine can lead to increased performance and improved carcass ratio in 7 days.

Keywords

Main Subjects


Extended Abstract

Introduction and Objective: Methionine is the first limiting amino acid in the poultry diet, and it plays essential roles in energy production and protein synthesis, increasing the growth performance of broiler chickens. The current study was aimed to compare the effect of L- and DL-Methionine on hatchability, productive performance and biochemistry of some blood parameters of broiler chicken from 1 to 7 day of age.

 

Materials and methods

    On days 16 of incubation, 800 fertile egg (Ross 308) were randomly divided between 8 treatments (and 4 replicates) including 3 levels of L-Methionine (10, 20 and 30 mg), 3 levels of DL-Methionine (10, 20 and 30 mg) and two control treatments including negative (no injection) and positive (injection of 200 microliters of saline) control. After 21 days, the hatchability of eggs was determined, and the hatchlings weighed were also evaluated. chicks were transferred in farm of agriculture and Natural Resources University of Sari (Iran). Feed intake was measured during experiment and mortality was recorded daily. After the first week chicks were weighed and feed: gain was measured. Then, Blood was collected and centrifuged to separate the plasma. Blood parameters were measured by the spectrophotometric method according to the instructions of the manufacturer of the kits.

 

Results

    Results showed that all treatments significantly (p<0.05) decreased the hatchability, without no effect on chick weight, chick to egg weight ratio and feed intake from 1 to 7 days of age. Birds received 30 mg L-Methionine showed the best BWG (27.3 g) and FCR (0.62). Likewise, 30 mg L-Methionine increased the carcass to live weight ratio (50.5) significantly (p<0.04). The applied treatments compare to the negative control group significantly (P<0.04) decreased triglyceride content of serum in the chickens.

 

Conclusion

 In general, the results of this research showed that injection of 30 mg of L-methionine compared to DL-methionine can lead to increased performance and improved carcass ratio in 7 days.

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