Effects of combined in ovo injection of dried whey and Enterococcus faecium on performance, ileal histomorphology, erythrocyte morphology and ileal microbiota of broiler chickens

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of in ovo injection of dried whey and Enterococcus faecium to fertile Ross 308 chicken eggs on performance, ileal histomorphology, ileum microbiota and edible viscera weights. A 2x2 factorial design was used. Fertile Ross 308 eggs were injected with 4 different solutions: A) control solution (distilled water), B) distilled water + 4% dried whey, C) distilled water + Enterococcus faecium, D) distilled water + 4% dried whey and Enterococcus faecium. Live weight, feed consumption, feed conversation ratio and ileal histomorphology, ileum microbiota, organ weight were recorded at 21 days of age. Live weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio were not affected by the treatments. At the end of the experiment, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) colonisation in ileum were 3.68, 4.81, 4.04 and 5.92 cfu/g respectively and the highest LAB colonisation was in the combined injection group. At the end of the experiment, villus height was 455, 484, 438 and 542 mu m respectively and the highest villus height was found in the combined injection group. Although broiler performance was not different among the groups, a combined injection of Enterococcus faecium and dried whey provided better LAB colonisation and increased villus height in ileum. In conclusion, a combined injection of Enterococcus faecium and dried whey has a symbiotic effect on ileal histomorphology and gut microbiota. However, further studies should be conducted to determine the effects of in ovo injection of different probiotic and/or symbiotic microorganisms and different stress factors on broiler performance.