Influence of Feeding Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids to Broiler Breeders on Indices of Immunocompetence, Gastrointestinal, and Skeletal Development in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Modern broiler chickens are associated with rapid growth rates and superior feed efficiency. However, they are also susceptible to physiological and metabolic disorders (e.g., skin lesions, lameness, sudden death, enteric diseases, myopathies) that exert substantial economic losses to producers. This is further exacerbated by consumer pressure and mandated cessation of production practices such as indiscriminate use of antimicrobial growth promoters. Manipulation of broiler breeder (BB) nutrition and management can influence chick quality, robustness, and resilience to stressors in the production environment. The present review examines the role of feeding BB functional polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and subsequent impact on the indices of immunocompetence, skeletal, and gastrointestinal (GIT) development in broiler chickens. Research in mammalian and avian models led evidence that perinatal feeding of long chain n-3 PUFA such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) engender transgenerational effects through regulation of a variety of biological processes including development of vital organs such as skeleton, brain and GIT. It is shown that feeding poultry breeders n-3 PUFA decreases inflammatory states and enriches hatching eggs with n-3 PUFA and immunoglobulins. Further evidence also shows that after 15 days of incubation, chicken embryos preferentially utilize long chain n-3 PUFA-critical for optimal cell, tissues, and organ development. Enrichment of n-3 PUFA in newly hatchling tissues reduce proinflammatory eicosanoids with consequences of enhanced bone mineralization. Dietary n-3 PUFA also modulates breeder GIT microbiota with consequences of microbial colonization and succession in chicks. As well, research shows that feeding poultry breeders n-3 PUFA bolsters progeny immunocompetence through enhanced passive immunity and antibody titres against routine vaccination. In conclusion, it appears that chicks may benefit from the incorporation of n-3 PUFA in the breeder diets; however, little attention is paid to fatty acids composition in breeder nutrition. We also highlight gaps in knowledge and future research perspectives.

Early Phenotype Programming in Birds by Temperature and Nutrition: A Mini-Review

“…Fatty acids are essential for embryonic development, bird growth, the development of the central nervous system and the immune system (Noble et al, 1984;Ding and Lilburn, 1996;Wang et al, 2004;Cherian, 2015;Koppenol et al, 2015;Thanabalan and Kiarie, 2021). The balance of fatty acids (FA) can be modulated via the hen's diet.…”

The effects of maternal fish oil supplementation rich in n-3 PUFA on offspring-broiler growth performance, body composition and bone microstructure

“…Besides, dietary fish oil supplementation could increase calcium absorption in the small intestine and improve bone mineralization and quality in laying hens [ 15 , 96 , 97 ]. In addition, fish oil enriched diet also improves reproductive performance, organs functionality, immunocompetence, skeletal health, and gastrointestinal development in breeder hens [ 14 , 16 , 93 ].…”

“…Dietary lipids play an important role in the development and remodeling of long bones in broiler chicks [12,13]. Several studies have suggested the positive effects of dietary fish oil on bone health in the broiler production [14][15][16]. Bone content of EPA and DHA, which can be enriched by the diet, has been shown to correlate directly with bone mineral content, bone density, and resistance to force in rat [17][18][19].…”

Role of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, citrus pectin, and milk-derived exosomes on intestinal barrier integrity and immunity in animals

“…However, supplementation at a certain level result in achieving therapeutic effects. The ω-3 PUFA-enriched diet in livestock and poultry was shown to modulate the immune system, improve intestinal morphology, fertility, stress resistance, and performance [ 26 – 29 ].…”