Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2006
Volume 9
Issue 4
Topic:
Animal Husbandry
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Wertelecki T. 2006. THE CHANGES OF YOLK SAC COMPOSITION IN CHICKENS FED PRESTARTER MIXTURES COMPOSED ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT NUTRITION RECOMMENDATION, EJPAU 9(4), #12.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume9/issue4/art-12.html

THE CHANGES OF YOLK SAC COMPOSITION IN CHICKENS FED PRESTARTER MIXTURES COMPOSED ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT NUTRITION RECOMMENDATION

Tomasz Wertelecki
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland

 

ABSTRACT

One-day old 224 Hubbard Flex male broiler chickens were assigned to four groups and fed either prestarter mixtures composed according to: content of amino acids, crude protein and energy in yolk sac residues model (I), NRC (1994) (II), PPNR (1996) (III) and Hubbard ISA recommendations (2004). The diets contained differed crude protein amounts (varied from 207.1 g·kg-1 to 249.4 g·kg-1), amino acids and density of metabolizable energy (varied from 11.58 to 13.04 MJ·kg-1) level. In days 1, 3, 5, and 7 of life a body weight, and in lyophilized yolk sac the crude protein, fat and amino acids content were estimated. The body weight of chickens was similar in groups fed mixtures composed according to yolk sac model, NRC and Hubbard recommendations. In group fed mixtures balanced on yolk sac composition was registered greater yolk sac weight losses during first week of life and faster fat utilization from yolk to 3rd day of life and better protein absorption between 3rd to 5th day in comparison to tested practical recommendations. Use in chickens nutrition mixtures balanced with high protein level positively influenced on some amino acids disappearance to 72 hours of life, but the effect of diversified prestarter diets on composition of amino acids of yolks protein at 5th and 7th days was not clear.

Key words: amino acids, chickens, fat, protein, yolk sac.

INTRODUCTION

The chemical composition of mixtures, the content of crude protein, amino acids and energy value, could be an important factor which determined the chickens development in early period of life, because chickens may use parallel two sources of nutrients: residues accumulated in the yolk sac and taken from feed, which consumption varied form 10 g/day/head in 1st day to 35 g in 7th days old chicks [2,13]. The process of yolk sac resorption which depends on type of chicks nutrition, is a first source of nutrients and substances for immune system [10,15,16,18]. A lot of publications pointed on important function of yolk sac in stimulation of post hatch development. Chickens with surgery removed yolk sac after hatch had a lower body weight and poorly digestive system development than “not removed yolk” chicks [7]. From the other side chickens fed with mash from removal yolk sac has a better growth rate than fed mixtures with i.e. soya oil [12].

The chemical composition of yolk sac could be a modern focus on prestarter feed formulations, especially for amino acids level and protein to energy ratio [18,19].

The body weight, weight of yolk sac and chemical composition of yolk sac as crude fat, protein, amino acids were examined in presented study performed with chicks fed prestarter mixtures composed according to yolk sac composition model and other published recommendations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 224 one-day old male Hubbard Flex chickens were randomly assigned to four groups, each with 7 replications. The chickens were kept in battery cages (8 birds/cage). The environmental temperature in the room was gradually reduced during 7 days from 33°C to 28°C. The lighting programme was as follows: 24 hours light until 7 days of life. The animals had free access to feed (ad libitum) and drinking water, which was served through nipple drinkers.

The experimental prestarter diets given chickens during first week were composed according to different nutrition standards: group I – on basic of “natural recommendation” based on chemical composition and amino acids profile of chicken’s yolk sac residues, determined by Wertelecki and Jamroz [18,19] (YS Model); group II – on NRC [8]; group III – PPNR (Polish Poultry Nutrition Recommendation) [9] and group IV – on basic of Hubbard ISA Europe Tables of Feed Value [4] (Table 1).

Table 1. Composition of diets, (g · kg-1)

Item

Experimental groups

I – YS Model

II – NRC – recommendation

III – PPNR – recommendation

IV – Hubbard recommendation

Ground corn

300.0

264.1

370.0

340.3

Ground wheat

292.9

280.0

317.1

292.5

Soybean meal

310.0

345.0

250.0

280.0

Fish meal (730 g·kg-1CP)

50.0

5.0

18.0

25.0

Soya oil

 –

65.0

6.0

22.0

L-Lys 78% HCl

6.0

– 

– 

0.9

DL-Met 99%

5.2

2.9

0.9

2.0

L-Tre 98%

 –

0.5

– 

0.3

L-Try 98%

0.9

– 

– 

– 

Calcium carbonate

12.0

12.5

13.0

12.0

Dicalcium phosphate

15.0

17.0

17.0

17.0

Salt

3.0

3.0

3.0

3.0

Premix*

5.0

5.0

5.0

5.0

Nutrition value of mixtures

CP

249.4

228.1

207.1

220.9

Starch

376.3

366.0

434.0

401.1

EM MJ·kg-1

11.58

13.04

12.02

12.29

Lys

19.70

12.40

11.00

13.00

Met+Cys

13.50

10.20

7.90

9.40

Try

3.70

2.70

2.30

2.50

Thr

9.50

9.00

7.70

8.60

Ile

9.60

9.50

8.10

8.70

Leu

20.24

18.48

17.27

18.23

Val

11.11

10.61

9.41

10.02

His

6.96

6.12

5.62

6.04

Arg

16.78

15.25

13.34

14.51

Ca

10.92

10.28

10.58

10.51

P-avail**

4.49

4.19

4.19

4.25

Amino acids profile of mixtures according to “ideal protein concept” (%)

Lys

100

100

100

100

Met+Cys

68

82

72

72

Thr

48

73

70

66

Arg

85

123

121

112

Val

56

86

85

77

Ile

49

76

74

67

Leu

103

149

157

140

Try

19

22

21

19

His

35

49

51

47

EM/CP ratio

110.9

136.6

138.6

133.0

*Supplied per kg perstarter diet premix content: retinol acetate 1 200 000 IU; cholekalciferol 300 000 IU; tocopherol 3500 mg; menadion 250 mg; thiamine 300 mg; riboflavin 700 mg; pyridoxine 500 mg; cyanocobalamin 2 mg; biothine15 mg; folic acid 150 mg; nicotinic acid 4000 mg; panthothenic acid 1400 mg; choline chloride 60 000 mg; Mn 7000 mg; Zn 6000 mg; Cu 1500 mg; Fe7000 mg; I 100 mg; Se 20 mg; Co 30 mg; Mg 2000 mg; Diclazuril 100 mg.
** Calculated on the basis of P-availability from Polish Poultry Nutrient Requirements (1996).

The diets contained differed crude protein level (varied from 207.1 g·kg-1 to 249.4 g·kg-1), amino acids and metabolizable energy (varied from 11.58 to 13.04 MJ·kg-1) concentration and were composed with the same components: ground corn, wheat, soybean meal (GlycineMax 460 g·kg-1 CP), fish meal, soya oil and amino acids, with premix supplements. The energy density in the diets was calculated according to the European Tables of Energy Values of Feeds for Poultry, WPSA [3].

The each 14 birds/group at 1st (before first feeding), 3rd , 5th and 7th days of life were individually weighted, killed and yolk sac removed. The total gain of body weight (GBW) at first week of life were calculated: GBW = body weight at 7th day – initial body weight at 1st day.

In the lyophilized yolk sacs content (7 summarized samples, each contained 2 yolks for each group and day) the crude protein according to Kjeldahl (CP) and crude fat (CF) according to Soxhlet method were determined [1]. For the determination of the amino acids the yolk sac samples were hydrolysed with 6N hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 22 hrs at 105°C and amino acids were separated using an Analysator INGOS AAA-400 according to the Moore and Stein method [6]. For the determination of the sulphur amino acids the feed samples were oxidized (0°C, 24 hrs) with formic acid plus hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (9 : 1) before the HCl hydrolysis. After alkaline hydrolysis with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) (110°C. 16 hrs) and 4-dimethyloaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) the samples for tryptophan analysed were determined colorimetrically at a wave length of 590 nm according to Landry and Delhaye [5] procedure.The results were statistically calculated with Statgraph System 1985-1995.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The significant differences between groups in body weight of chickens was observed at 3rd and 7th days of life (Table 2). At 3rd day of life chicks fed with mixtures composed according to yolk sac composition model (group I) had a significantly higher weight in comparison to birds from group III and IV, mean about 2.27 g (P<0.05). Similar tendency of differences was observed between II group in comparison to III and IV at that same age, mean 1.24 g (P<0.05). At 7th days of life the higher body weight of chickens was observed in group II (NRC) and I (YS Model) in comparison to groups fed mixtures composed according to Polish Nutrient Recommendations (III), mean about 15 g (P<0.05). During whole experimental period the better body weight gains was observed in group II (NRC) and I (YS Model), difference to III group amounted 16.81 g (P<0.05). The obtained results for body weight and body weight gains suggested that nutrition value of “yolk sac model” mixture (I) not decreased development of chickens in first 168 hours of life in comparison to other recommendations, especially to NRC or Hubbard. High concentration of crude protein and amino acids in mixture of I group positive influenced the growth of young chickens. This results are agreement to Stringhini et al. investigations [15].

Table 2. Body weight (BW) of chickens and total BW gain at first week of life, (g)

Days of life

I – YS Model

II – NRC

III – PPNR

IV – Hubbard

SEM

1

48.71

46.14

49.24

45.51

1.05

3

60.89a

59.86a

58.41b

58.83b

1.11

5

75.53

72.50

70.64

76.04

3.55

7

121.38a

124.19a

107.79b

115.28ab

7.27

Total BW gain

72.67a

78.05a

58.55b

69.77ab

6.89

a,b – P<0.05.

The statistical differences between groups in yolk sac weight were observed at whole experimental time (P<0.05) (Table 3). At 3rd and 5th days of life a significant lower weight of yolk sac was observed in group IV (Hubbard) in comparison to other treatments, but at 7th day the lower value of estimated parameter was observed in II (NRC) group (P<0.05). In group fed mixtures balanced according to PPNR (III) the yolk sac weight was very variable at days 3rd and 7th in comparison to other treatments (P<0.05). Pisarski et al. [13], Stringhini et al. [15] and Murakami et al. [7] reported similar tendency in yolk sac resorption rate in chickens over 72 hours of life, dependented of individual differences in metabolic status of birds possibility of adaptation to feed intake. From the other side, the higher decrease of yolk sac weight during whole experimental period was observed in all groups at time from day 1st to 3rd (mean 4.4g), excluding group III (only 3.3 g). Obtained results are agreement with earlier studies realised by Wertelecki and Jamroz [18,19]. The greater total yolk sac weight losses during first week of life was registered in group fed mixtures composed according to yolk sac residues model (I), amounted 7.64 g in comparison to other groups (P<0.05). The deeper yolk sac resorption is correlated with better stimulation of post hatch development of chicks and better immunoglobulins transfer from yolk to blood and lymphoid tissues [10,11].

Table 3. Yolk sac (YS) weight and total losses of yolk sac weight (LYSW) during first week of life, (g)

Days of life

I – YS Model

II – NRC

III – PPNR

IV – Hubbard

SEM

1

8.50

7.13

7.70

7.06

0.67

3

3.89ab

2.90a

4.38b

2.68a

0.81

5

1.68ab

1.98a

1.73ab

0.86b

0.49

7

0.86a

0.49a

1.46b

0.70a

1.12

LYSW

7.64a

6.64b

6.24b

6.36b

0.64

a,b – P<0.05.

The significant differences between groups in crude fat content in yolk sac was registered at 3rd and 5th days of life (P<0.05) (Table 4). At 3rd day the significantly lower level of crude fat was observed in group I (YS Model) in comparison to other groups (P<0.05). Chicks fed mixtures without fat supplement utilized faster and deeper the yolk sac nutrients, especially crude fat as a source of energy during first 48-72 days of life. This results are agreed with results presented by Wertelecki et al. [17], Nitsan et al. [12] and Noy et al. [10,11]. But at 5th day of life the lower content of fat in yolk sac was registered in group IV (P<0.05). The greater fat utilisation from yolk sac during whole experimental time was observed between first 72 hours of life at each treatments, but after this time the content of crude fat in yolk sac was very variable, especially in group III (PPNR). Only in group IV (Hubbard) the disappearance of ether extract form yolk sac was harmonic and linear per whole time of trial.

Table 4. Crude fat (CF) in yolk sac, (g · 100gYS)

Days of life

I – YS Model

II – NRC

III – PPNR

IV – Hubbard

SEM

1

22.86

24.05

25.60

23.82

2.01

3

18.95a

19.68ab

19.75ab

20.66b

0.85

5

19.81ab

20.43b

19.96ab

18.01a

0.59

7

21.27

19.76

23.13

17.13

2.11

a,b – P<0.05.

The crude protein content in yolk sac was significantly differed between groups at 3rd and 5th days of life (P<0.05) (Table 5). The lower content of nitrogen fraction in yolks was estimated in group III and IV at 3rd day in comparison to group I and II fed mixtures with higher protein content (P<0.05). Simultaneously, in group III and IV the concentration of crude protein at day 3rd was lower than at 1st day. This results pointed on faster protein utilization in these groups, fed mixtures contained protein at level 20–22 %, and agreed with published studies of Wertelecki and Jamroz [16]. At 5th day of life the significantly lower protein content was registered only in group IV (Hubbard) (P<0.05). The better protein utilization from yolk sac after 72 hours of life was observed in group fed mixtures composed according to yolk sac model (I) (high protein level in mixture), amounted 5.6 g. At that same time in group fed mixture with lower protein level, as 20.7 % the concentration of nitrogen fraction in yolk was increased and this tendency was negatively. In opinion presented from earlier studies by Wertelecki and Jamroz [16,18] in chickens fed mixtures with higher crude protein level (over 220 g·kg-1) a better (harmonic and linear) protein absorption from yolk sac after 3rd day of life was observed. Presented results are agreed with studies of Sklan et al., too [14].

Table 5. Crude protein (CP – N x 6.25) in yolk sac, (g ·100gYS)

Days of life

I – YS Model

II – NRC

III – PPNR

IV – Hubbard

SEM

1

22.14

25.02

25.04

25.65

1.98

3

29.03a

26.95ab

24.66b

24.89b

0.78

5

23.45ab

25.93b

26.11b

21.77a

0.96

7

17.66

17.44

29.06

17.26

2.99

a,b – P<0.05.

At 3rd day of life the content of amino acids in yolk sac protein was similar in chickens from all groups, excluding Try and Arg, where differences were significant (P<0.05) (Table 6). The varied level of important exogenous amino acids in experimental mixtures resulted of crude protein concentration, not clearly influenced the disappearance of that amino acids from yolk sac protein. The rate of exogenous amino acids disappearance from yolk sac protein did not diversified clearly at early age of chicks, what differed this results from our previous studies [19].

Table 6. Amino acids concentration in yolk sac crude protein (YSCP), (g ·100gYSCP)

Item

Days of life

I – YS Model

II – NRC

III – PPNR

IV – Hubbard

SEM

Lys

1

6.53

6.37

6.48

6.44

0.21

 

3

6.39

6.29

6.56

6.65

0.28

 

5

6.71a

6.49a

6.70a

5.86b

0.20

 

7

9.36a

6.54ab

6.64ab

5.60b

0.70

Met+Cys

1

5.18

5.30

5.11

4.85

0.33

 

3

5.09

5.40

5.39

4.99

0.35

 

5

4.74a

5.17b

5.26b

4.63a

0.40

 

7

7.43a

4.91b

5.63ab

5.29ab

0.27

Try

1

1.86

1.96

1.94

1.87

0.11

 

3

1.88a

1.87a

1.95a

1.69b

0.15

 

5

1.52

1.51

1.59

1.46

0.14

 

7

2.16a

1.51ab

1.50ab

1.75b

0.18

Thr

1

4.61

4.48

4.59

4.53

0.18

 

3

4.42

4.38

4.76

4.86

0.26

 

5

4.68a

4.51a

5.07b

4.23a

0.17

 

7

6.23a

4.43b

4.42b

4.31b

0.37

Ile

1

4.48

4.36

4.77

4.53

0.22

 

3

4.45

4.44

4.54

4.57

0.33

 

5

4.33

4.21

4.56

3.85

0.36

 

7

5.88a

3.90ab

4.46b

3.97ab

0.40

Leu

1

8.59

8.45

8.44

8.45

0.35

 

3

8.28

8.05

8.49

8.55

0.35

 

5

8.41a

8.10a

8.64a

7.34b

0.53

 

7

11.39a

7.99ab

8.58b

7.56ab

0.74

Val

1

5.78

5.72

6.04

5.89

0.28

 

3

5.66

5.66

5.82

5.89

0.41

 

5

5.57

5.41

5.83

5.00

0.40

 

7

7.30a

4.96b

5.64b

5.00b

0.51

His

1

3.02

2.94

2.89

2.88

0.11

 

3

2.84

2.76

2.92

3.05

0.13

 

5

2.12a

3.05b

3.12b

2.79ab

0.17

 

7

4.35a

3.19b

2.89ab

2.57ab

0.38

Arg

1

6.86

6.68

6.79

6.70

0.28

 

3

6.63a

6.48a

6.91ab

7.12b

0.13

 

5

7.13

6.85

7.29

6.46

0.46

 

7

9.84a

7.17b

7.08b

7.58b

0.63

a,b – P<0.05.

In results presented at this study, the low protein diets influenced at 3rd day of life the faster disappearance of exogenous amino acids from yolk sac protein, especially Lys. The significant differences of concentration of some amino acids as: Lys, TSAA (Met+Cys), Thr, Leu and His were observed between groups at both days of life, at 5th and 7th. At 7th day in group fed mixtures balanced according to “yolk sac model” (I group) the level of amino acids in yolk sac residues protein was higher then in other groups (P<0.05). This results suggested that chicks from groups, fed mixtures with higher crude protein level, utilized very regular some amino acids especially to 5th days of life, as Met+Cys and His. This results are in agreement with early study by Wertelecki and Jamroz [18].

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study demonstrated that the feeding of chickens with the prestarter diets balanced according to “residual yolk sac composition model” (in aspect of crude protein, energy and profile of amino acids) gave a similar effect in performance (body weight) as observed in groups fed mixtures according to NRC and Hubbard recommendations. In group fed mixtures balanced on yolk sac composition were registered: greater yolk sac weight losses during first week of life and faster fat utilization to 3rd day of life and better protein absorption between 3rd to 5th day in comparison to tested practical recommendations. The use in nutrition of chickens mixtures balanced with high protein level positively influenced on amino acids disappearance to 72 hours of life, but the effect of diversified prestarter diets on composition of amino acids of yolks protein at 5th and 7th days was not clear. Results of this experiment pointed that concentration of nutrients in residues yolk sac could be a good model for composition of special feed mixture for chicks in early period.

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Accepted for print: 16.10.2006


Tomasz Wertelecki
Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science,
Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Poland
Chełmonskiego 38 D, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
email: wwwwtw@interia.pl

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