The effect of in ovo delivery of nutrients and feed additives on the development of the immune system

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The research proposed here focuses on in ovo supplementation of chick embryos with vitamins and probiotic bacteria. Newly hatched chicks are subject to various forms of stress that make them more susceptible to pathogens. Chicks can be made healthier by early interventions, such as by pre-hatch administration of nutrients and/or beneficial bacteria. More specifically, we intend to take a systematic approach and examine how these interventions can enhance the chicken's immune system health. Research into in ovo nutrition has demonstrated improvements in hatch weight and growth, digestive capacity, reduced post-hatch mortality and morbidity, and improved immune response. Probiotics have been shown to improve growth performance and feed efficiency, antibody response, and to limit food-borne pathogens. Given the potential of nutrients and probiotics to stimulate intestinal and immune system development, in ovo treatment could provide a natural barrier to pathogen colonization and allow accelerated intestinal and immune system development resulting in increased growth and health of birds. Given the routine in ovo use of various vaccines, anything else administered in ovo, in addition to having a positive effect on health and performance, must not interfere with vaccine efficacy.