In ovo ghrelin affects antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) in newly-hatched chicken

Ghrelin is a regulatory peptide with specific anti-oxidative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of two antioxidant enzymes includes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythrocyte of newly-hatched chicken following in ovo administration of ghrelin. The fertilized eggs were divided into four experimental groups; control G1 (without injection), group G2 (in ovo injected with 50 ng/egg ghrelin), group G3 (in ovo injected with 100 ng/egg ghrelin), group G4 (in ovo injected with 150 ng/egg ghrelin). At d 10 of incubation, in ovo injections of ghrelin were conducted. SOD and GPx activity in erythrocytes were determined by laboratory analysis of whole blood taken from newly-hatched chicks. There were no significant changes in SOD activity following in ovo administration of different concentrations of exogenous ghrelin. But, in groups G3 and G4 (100 ng and 150 ng ghrelin/ egg), significant elevation in activity of GPx has been observed (P< 0.05). It was concluded that in ovo administrated ghrelin can increase antioxidant defense by increase in GPx activity in newly-hatched chickens.