Effects of intra-egg melatonin hormone and vitamin D3 application to breeding broiler chicken (Ross 308) eggs on hatching performance, chick quality, some immune and stress parameters

The Effects on Hatching Performance, Chick Qualify, Some Immunity and Stress Parameters of in-ovo Melatonin and Vitamin D3 Application to Breeder Broiler Eggs in Incubation This study was conducted to determine the effects of in ovo application of melatonin hormone and vitamin D3 to breeder broiler chicken (Ross 308) eggs on hatching performance, chick quality, some immune and stress parameters. The study was carried out in a 6x2 factorial trial design at Malatya Turgut Özal University, using eggs obtained from a breeding flock aged 35-40 weeks. In the application groups (UYG) in the study; UYG-1 (control): no treatment was done to the egg, UYG-2: only drilling was done to the egg, UYG-3: in ovo sterile distilled water (0.30 ml), UYG-4: in ovo melatonin hormone (1 mg /0.30 ml), UYG-5: in ovo melatonin hormone (1 mg/0.15 ml) and vitamin D3 (100 IU/0.15 ml) together, UYG-6: in ovo vitamin D3 (100 IU/ 0.30 ml) was injected. Within each of these application groups (UYG), application subgroups (UYG); UAG-1: formed in the albumin (day 7) and UAG-2: formed in the yolk sac (day 18). In the study, 480 eggs for each independent incubation application, 3 independent incubation applications. A total of 1440 eggs were used for the Fertility control was performed before the applications on the 7th and 18th days of incubation. At the end of incubation, hatching day incubation parameters, chick quality and some stress and immunity parameters of the chicks were determined. In addition, within the scope of three independent incubation practices, a total of 288 chicks were cared for and fed throughout the 7-day growth period, and their viability and growth and development performance during this period were examined. The weights and proportions of tissues and organs related to the immune system of a total of 48 chicks were determined. As a result of the study, embryonic deaths during the incubation process, hatching efficiency, hatching efficiency, chick hatching weight, chick quality, color, first week live weight gain, 7th day chick weight, spleen weight and ratio (%), bursa fabricus ratio (%) and Malondialdehyde, Glutathione, Glutathione. Statistically significant differences were found between the Control (UYG-1) and the other UYG and among the UAG themselves for parameters such as Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, Alanine Aminotransferase and Melatonin (p<0.05, p<0.01). In the study, particularly, the positive effects of 1 mg/0.30 ml melatonin application (UAG-6) into egg albumin on the 7th day of incubation on hatching efficiency (97.14±2.86%), machine efficiency (91.67±0.83%) and chick quality (82.50±1.17). It was determined that the highest values were obtained in this group when compared to the applications of other groups. Again, the positive effects of melatonin (1 mg/0.30 ml) administered into egg albumin on the 7th day of incubation on some immune and blood parameters of chicks and on embryonic deaths in the middle (0.0 %) and late periods (1.90±1.90%) compared to other groups. It was found to be remarkable. However, these findings obtained in the current study were found to be contrary to the statements in most of the literature that the most appropriate in ovo application time is the middle and late periods of incubation, and were evaluated as a different and important result. Therefore, it was concluded that it would be useful to conduct similar studies on the relevant subject, especially on melatonin. Keywords: In ovo - Melatonin - Vitamin D3 - Hatching performance- Chick quality, Immunity