Effect of in ovo glucose injection on the post hatch-growth, digestive organ development and blood biochemical profiles in broiler chickens

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of glucose on post-hatch growth, digestive organ development and blood biochemical profile. 50 mg glucose was injected into the yolk sac of egg at 18(th) day of incubation using 25 mm needle. In day-old chicks in ovo injection of glucose did not affect the hatchability and body weight but had higher levels of plasma glucose and plasma protein. Weight of liver, proventriculus, gizzard and small intestine were also apparently higher in glucose-injected group than that of un-injected control at day-old age. At 10 days of age, glucose injected chicks had significantly lower plasma glucose and plasma uric acid level, but higher weight of small intestine and spleen. Male birds in glucose injected and sham control recorded around 35 g higher body weight than un-injected control at 21days of age. Feed conversion ratio during early post-hatch period was better in glucose injected and un-injected control birds. In ovo glucose injection speeds up the early intestinal development and post-hatch growth by modifying the early energy status of the hatchlings.