Effect of in ovo Injection of Nicotonic Acid, Pantothenic Acid or Folic Acid on Immune System and Growth of Broiler Chickens

BACKGROUND: In ovo injection of nutrients as an early feeding method in birds directly supplies the nu- trients to the developing embryo. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of in ovo injection of nicotonic acid, panto- thenic acid and folic acid on the performance and immune system of broilers. METHODS: 450 Ross 308 fertile eggs were divided into 5 groups and placed in a hatchery machine. Five experimental groups included in ovo injection of 0.121 mg of nicotonic acid, 0.052 mg of pantothenic acid, 0.007 mg of folic acid on the 14th day of incubation period, positive control or injection control (physiological serum injection) and negative control (non injecting control). RESULTS: At the age of 18 days of the rearing period, injection of pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid in- creased the antibody titre against Newcastle Virus and folic acid and pantothenic acid reduced the SRBC titer. At 35 days of age, nicotinic acid and folic acid had lower SRBC titer than the negative control group. The highest lymphocyte to heterophilia ratio was observed in the pantothenic acid group and the lowest levels were seen in the folic acid group. In ovo injection of nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid caused weight loss in chicks during the first and second weeks of rearing period compared to positive and negative controls groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated a positive effect of in ovo injection of pantothenic acid and nichotinic acid on some immune parameters of broiler chicks. In despite of the negative effect of in ovo injection of nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid on growth rate of chicks during the first and second week of age, there was a compensatory growth for the nicotinic acid group such that this treatment positively influenced the final weight of the broilers.