Effects of in ovo administration of vitamins on post hatch-growth, immunocompetence and blood biochemical profiles of broiler chickens

In ovo administration of vitamins A (105IU), B1 (18 mu g), B2 (36 mu g), B6 (35 mu g) or E (1.4IU) in eggs (600) were carried out on 14th day of incubation to study post-hatch performance in broiler chickens. Per cent hatchability in vitamins injected eggs ranged from 73.0 to 84.0 compared to 84.0 in un-injected control. Day-old chick weight was lower in vitamin B6 injected eggs. Body weight of male chicks did not differ due to vitamin administration till 28-day post-hatch, however at 14-day female chicks receiving vitamins A, B1, B2 or E injections weighed higher compared to control chicks. At marketable age (42 d) both male and female birds of vitamin B1 or B2 had higher body weight than control birds. Relative weight of bursa was higher in vitamins B1, B2 or E, while thymus weight was higher in vitamins A, B6 or E injected chicks. At 42nd day post-hatch, humoral immune response (anti SRBC, HA titer) was better in vitamin B1 injected chicks but antibody titer to Newcastle disease (ND) vaccine (log 10 titer) was higher in vitamin E injected chicks. Serum glucose level was higher in vitamins A, B2 or E while B2, B6 or E injected chicks had higher serum protein. From the above study it may be concluded that in ovo feeding of vitamin B1 and B2 can improve growth while vitamin A, B1, B6 or E can modulate immunity in broiler chickens.