Meeting Abstract

P2.73  Tuesday, Jan. 5  A charmed life: in ovo supplementation of vitamin E and its effects on oxidative stress during early development in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus) BENTLEY, S.E.*; MATLACK, C.L.; CHOW, J.; HAUSSMANN, M.F.; Bucknell Univ.; Bucknell Univ.; Bucknell Univ.; Bucknell Univ. mfh008@bucknell.edu

Rapid oxidative metabolism during early development results in the production of large quantities of free radicals in many tissues, making them particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. Antioxidants are a crucial defense against free radicals. In oviparous organisms, mothers may place their offspring at a fitness advantage through the allocation of dietary antioxidants to the yolk. The developing embryo may use these antioxidants to reduce the impact of free radicals, particularly in susceptible tissues such as the liver and brain. We propose that supplemental yolk vitamin E will result in decreased oxidative damage in the liver and brain, and that the latter may impact offspring behavior. To test this, we experimentally increased vitamin E concentration in the egg yolks of domestic Leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus). Groups received either control, low (12-18 μg/g yolk), or high (24-36 μg/g yolk) doses of supplemental vitamin E via direct injection into the yolks of unincubated eggs. Blood and tissue samples were collected during embryonic development and post-hatch to assess oxidative stress. Chick growth and behavior were monitored for the first two weeks of life. Eggs receiving high doses of vitamin E had higher hatchability than control or low dose eggs (P = 0.04). Chicks receiving the high vitamin E dose had higher growth rates (P = 0.0004) and showed more proactive behavior compared to control chicks in open field (P = 0.05) and tonic immobility tests (P = 0.04). These results indicate that supplemental yolk vitamin E is beneficial to early development and possibly results in chicks that are better behaviorally adapted to their environment.