The effects of In Ovo Injection of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Extract on Hatchability, Liver Enzymes and Antioxidant status of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of in ovo injection of alcoholic garlic extract on hatching traits, liver enzymes, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens post-hatch. In total, 625 broiler breeder eggs (ROSS 308 strain with an average weight of 58.5 g) were divided into 5 treatments (each treatment had three replicates). At 0 embryonic day, the eggs were injected as follows: the first treatment without in ovo injection (negative control), eggs of second treatment were injected with 100 μL.egg-1 distilled water (sham control). The third, fourth, and fifth treatments were injected with 50, 100, and 150 μL.egg-1 of an alcoholic garlic extract respectively. The chicks were reared for 4 weeks after hatching according to in ovo treatments. Hatchability, embryonic mortality, chicks' weight, serum AST, ALT, GPx, SOD activities, and MDA concentration were all measured. The results showed that the hatchability of the fifth treatment was higher (P≤0.05) than those of the other treatments. On the other hand, the embryonic mortality of the fifth treatment was recorded less (P≤0.05) than those of the other treatments. The results of serum AST, ALT, GPx, SOD activities, and MDA concentration were non different significance (P>0.05) among treatments. It is concluded that a garlic extract injection with 150 μL.egg-1 improved hatchability and reduced embryonic mortality. Moreover, it did not affect the chick's weight, serum liver enzymes, and antioxidant status post-hatch.