Metabolic Changes in Pectoral Muscle and Liver of Turkey Embryos in Relation to Hatching: Influence of Glucose and Antibiotic-Treatment of Eggs

Abstract

Small type turkey eggs were pressure differential dipped in an antibiotic solution (spectinomycin 3,000 ppm) with or without glucose (10%) and incubated. Pectoral muscle and liver samples taken from the embryos at the knocking, pipping, and posthatch stages of development were studied. Muscle glycogen decreased between pipping and posthatch. Liver glycogen decreased progressively between knocking and posthatch. Whereas liver free fatty acids decreased as the embryo completed the hatching process, muscle levels were less subject to change. Providing the embryo with antibiotic plus glucose improved overall glycogen in both tissues and reduced muscle lactate. Results from treatment with antibiotic alone resembled those in the first treatment with regard to liver glycogen and muscle lactate but to a lesser degree. Results support the hypothesis of an extensive muscle involvement in the hatching process and need for glucose through the perihatch period.

Important metabolic pathways in poultry embryos prior to hatch

“…Even though the pectoral muscle contains less glycogen per unit of mass than the liver, it accounts for the greatest quantity of total glycogen stored in the body (John et al, 1988;Christensen et al, 2001;Uni et al, 2005;Foye et al, 2006). The pectoral muscle is also the predominant source of protein mobilized to supply amino acids for gluconeogenesis if energy reserves are depleted after hatch (Donaldson 1995;Keirs et al, 2002;Warner et al, 2006).…”

Effects of Egg Weight, Glucose Administration at Hatch, and Delayed Access to Feed and Water on the Poult at 2 Weeks of Age

“…Initially, dietary carbohydrate appears to be in greatest need but high levels of fat appear to complicate survival (Moran, 1978). Glycogen reserves accumulated by the embryo are largely expended to fuel emergence from the shell (John et al, 1987(John et al, , 1988; however, fat reserves in body depots Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station Number 12-902431P. and in the yolk sac remain extensive (Moran and Reinhart, 1980a).…”

Relationship between Glucose and Pancreatic Hormones during the Embryonic and Postnatal Phase in Chickens

“…Glucose acts as the primary energy source needed during the first stage of chicken embryonic development and is utilised by anaerobic glycolysis (Moran, 2007) or is stored as glycogen in liver and muscle for later pipping and hatching (John et al, 1988). During the hatching process, plasma glucose levels remain constant which may suggest that glucose is being utilised by chicken embryo to emerge out of the egg.…”