Glycosaminoglycans and vitamin C in ovo feeding affects bone characteristics of chicks

Different levels of glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate) and vitamin C were injected in ovo to determine whether additive use influences the incubation parameters and bone characteristics of posthatch chicks. Hatchability was not affected by addition of glycosaminoglycans and vitamin C in ovo. However, chicks that received 4 ug additive showed 2.86% reduction in total mortality when compared with chicks from non-injected eggs. Moreover, tibia area and femur bone mineral density increased in chicks from eggs injected with 2.16 and 6.00 mu g of additive, respectively. In ovo feeding with glycosaminoglycans and vitamin C can benefit bone development in embryos and reduce total mortality during the incubation period.

Keywords

ascorbic acid, bone mineral density, bone strength, chondroitin, glucosamine

Language

English

Citation

Revista Brasileira De Zootecnia-brazilian Journal Of Animal Science. Vicosa-mg: Revista Brasileira Zootecnia Brazilian Journal Animal Sci, v. 47, 6 p., 2018.