The effects of in ovo and/or dietary L-arginine administration on growth performance, breast meat quality and immune system in broiler chickens

Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) and/or dietary L-arginine (L-Arg) supplementation on incubation performance, embryonic development, growth performance, breast meat quality, selected immune parameters, and serum triglyceride and nitric oxide (NO) levels in broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: A total of 780 fertile eggs were collected from a Ross 308 meat-type parent stock and incubated. On day 17.5 of incubation, one-third of the eggs received IOF with saline (positive control), another one-third received IOF with L-Arg, and the remaining one-third received no IOF (negative control). A total of 432 out of hatched chicks were distributed into six groups. Throughout the growth period (47 days), half of these groups were fed a basal diet, while the other half received a ration supplemented with L-Arg. Results: However, incubation parameters, chick, and spleen weights at hatch did not differ among incubation groups, IOF with L-Arg increased heart and bursa of Fabricius weights (p<0.001). While the treatments showed significant effects on growth performance parameters during certain phases, no differences were observed over the 0–47 days. IOF with L-Arg decreased mortality rate (p=0.009). The study treatments were not affect the relative organ weights and breast meat chemical composition, however they had positive effects on carcass yield (p<0,01), abdominal fat (p<0.05), 24-hour breast meat redness (a*; p<0.05), pH (p<0.001), cooking loss (p<0.01), and 48-hour breast meat lightness (L*; p<0.05) and pH values. Dietary L-Arg supplementation also increased serum triglyceride and NO levels (p<0.01). No differences were found among groups concerning white striping incidence and severity in breast meat. Conclusion: The study concluded that supplementing L-Arg during the embryonic and growth stages in broiler chickens has beneficial effects on growth performance, breast meat quality, and immune system. Keywords: Broiler chicken, L-arginine, in ovo feeding, growth performance, breast meat quality, immune system