Abstract
Simple SummaryIntensive selection in broiler chicken flocks has led do several leg disorders. The injection of nanoparticles, with high specificity to the bone, into the egg is a potential method to improve bone quality. The objective of our study was to evaluate the potential effect of calcium carbonate nanoparticles injected to the egg on chicken embryo development and bone quality of broiler chickens after 42 day of life. The calcium carbonate nanoparticles were not toxic to embryo and even improved the bone quality of embryos and later broilers without negative impact on production results. Thus, the application of calcium carbonate nanoparticles to the egg may be the potential solution for improving the bone mineralization of broiler chickens.The use of intensive selection procedure in modern broiler chicken lines has led to the development of several skeletal disorders in broiler chickens. Therefore, current research is focused on methods to improve the bone quality in birds. In ovo technology, using nanoparticles with a high specificity to bones, is a potential approach. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of in ovo inoculation (IOI) of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN) on chicken embryo development, health status, bone characteristics, and on broiler production results and bone quality. After assessing in vitro cell viability, the IOI procedure was performed with an injection of 500 μg/mL CCN. The control group was not inoculated with CCN. Hatchability, weight, and selected bone and serum parameters were measured in embryos. Part of hatchlings were reared under standard conditions until 42 days, and production results, meat quality, and bone quality of broilers were determined. CCN did not show cytotoxicity to cells and chicken embryo and positively influenced bone parameters of the embryos and of broilers later (calcification) without negatively affecting the production results. Thus, the IOI of CCN could modify the molecular responses at the stage of embryogenesis, resulting in better mineralization, and could provide a sustained effect, thereby improving bone quality in adult birds.
Highlights
Broiler lines are intensively selected for higher growth rate and increased final body weight (BW) [1]
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the IOI of calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCN) on chicken embryo development, health status, bone characteristics, and production results as well as meat quality and bone quality of broiler chickens after 42 days of rearing
Ca concentration in the femur bone of broiler chickens was significantly higher in the CCN group than in the control group (p ≤ 0.05)
Summary
Broiler lines are intensively selected for higher growth rate and increased final body weight (BW) [1]. This rapid weight gain in fast-growing chickens leads to several pathologies in the bones, such as osteoporosis and deformations in the legs [2]. Bone strength in broiler legs is strictly associated with mineralization, especially Ca deposition, which is 99% localized in the bones [5,6]. This macroelement contributes to the mineral structure of the bone with P to form hydroxyapatite. Ca widely contributes to many essential physiological processes such as cell proliferation, muscle contraction, blood coagulation, enzyme activation, and hormone secretion [6,7]
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