Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics Injected in Ovo on the Microstructure of the Breast Muscle in Different Chicken Genotypes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics injected in ovo on day 12 of embryonic development on the microstructure of the superficial pectoral muscle (musculus pectoralis superficialis) from 42-day-old chickens of different genotypes: broilers (Ross 308) and general-purpose type (green-legged partridge (GP) chickens Zk-11, native chickens). Incubated eggs were divided into four groups (each genotype separately) depending on the substance injected in ovo: normal saline (C, control); Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (PRO); galactooligosaccharides, GOS (PRE) or GOS + L. lactis (SYN). After hatching, chicks were placed in eight replicated pens (four pens/genotype group). There were eight birds per pen. In total, 64 birds were used in the experiment. Birds were slaughtered at the age of 42 days, and samples of superficial pectoral muscles were taken for analysis. The microstructure of the pectoral muscles was evaluated using the cryosectioning (frozen tissue sectioning) technique and staining with haematoxylin and eosin. Statistical analysis revealed that the in ovo injection of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics had no significant effect on the diameter of muscle fibres from chickens of the two genotypes. The number of fibres in the muscles from green-legged partridge chickens was about three-fold higher than the fibre density in the muscles from broiler chickens, with the fibre diameter being two-fold smaller. This fact may indicate a greater tenderness of meat from GP chickens compared to the meat from Ross 308 broilers. In the case of broilers, a prebiotic (GOS) was the most effective bioactive substance in reducing the number of histopathological changes. Considering muscles from GP chickens, the number of normal fibres was highest in birds treated with the probiotic. These findings indicate that the microstructural features of pectoral muscles depend not only on the type of the injected bioactive substance but also on the genotype of chickens.

In ovo probiotic supplementation promotes muscle growth and development in broiler embryos

“…Although probiotics have not been previously evaluated for their effects on embryonic muscle development in chicken, in ovo supplementation of synbiotics was shown to have no effect on muscle fiber number or CSA in adult Ross 308 birds ( Stasiak et al, 2021 ). However, supplementation of nutrients including L-glutamine, insulin-like growth factor I, silver nanoparticles, and nicotinamide riboside to embryos resulted in improved MFD ( Liu et al, 2012 ; Grodzik et al, 2013 ; Gonzalez and Jackson, 2020 ; Husseiny et al, 2021 ; Xu et al, 2021a ).…”

Regulatory Effects of the Probiotic <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> on Gut Microbes, Intestinal Health, and Growth Performance of Chickens

“…Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CGMCC18230 supplementation improved tibial bone mineralization and growth performance by increasing the relative abundances of Ruminococcaceae (butyrate-producing), Akkermansia (polyamine-producing), and Alistipes (polyamine-producing) ( Li et al ., 2022 ). Previous studies have also shown that probiotics exert beneficial effects on the muscle growth of broiler chickens ( Shah et al , 2019 ; Stasiak et al , 2021 ). Dietary supplementation with Enterococcus faecium AL41 increased the number of myonuclei per fiber, improved capillarization, and further improved body weight owing to the high intramuscular expression of IGF-1 and lowered MYF5 expression in broilers ( Albrecht et al , 2022 ).…”

Physiological effects of in ovo delivery of bioactive substances in broiler chickens

“…The supplementation of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (10 5 cfu/egg), Bi 2 tos (3.5 mg/egg), or Bi 2 tos (3.5 mg/egg) with Lactococcus lactis (10 5 cfu/egg) injected into the air chamber on e12 showed no effects on muscle microstructure (fiber diameter, normal fiber, fiber atrophy, giant fiber, change in fiber shape, necrotic fiber, and fiber splitting) ( 79 ). The supplementation of arginine at different concentrations (6.25, 25, and 100 mg/kg) on e16 stimulated myoblast differentiation but reduced the number of myofibers and the subsequent muscle growth during the post-hatch period ( 80 ).…”