Tropical Animal Health and Production

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02258-x

REGULAR ARTICLES

Influence of in ovo arginine feeding on hatching traits and post-hatch

performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types
Olusola Joshua Odutayo 1 & Olajide Mark Sogunle 1 & Olajide Ayorinde Adeyemi 1 &
Adekayode Olanrewaju Sonibare 2

Received: 10 September 2019 / Accepted: 2 March 2020

# Springer Nature B.V. 2020

Abstract
The demand for animal protein in Nigeria is so high that introduction of new management techniques to improve
poultry production is relevant. This study investigated the effects of in ovo administration of arginine on hatching
traits and post-hatch performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens in two housing types. A total of 528 hatching eggs
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens were used for the study for 11 weeks. Hatching eggs were sorted, balanced for weight
and fumigated before setting in the incubator. On the 14th day of incubation 378 eggs were confirmed fertile and
they were redistributed into 3 treatment groups (0, 11 and 22 mg of arginine/egg) each consisting 126 eggs,
replicated 14 times (9 eggs per replicate). At the 18th day of incubation, in ovo injection of arginine was carried
out and at the 21st day of incubation, resulting chicks were balanced for weight, assigned to treatments and assessed
for post-hatch performance. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised design. In the results, hatch-
ability was 92.86% (control), 88.39% (injection with 11 mg of arginine) and 91.07% in birds resulting from in ovo
injection of 22 mg of arginine. In ovo injection of 11 and 22 mg of arginine improved the development of duodenal
villi in the birds. In ovo injection of 22 and 11 mg of arginine enhanced CMIR after 24 (0.300 mm) and 48 h
(0.223 mm) of injecting phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) antigen. Birds on outdoor run had higher (0.282,
0.224 mm) CMIR after 24 and 48 h of injecting PHA-P relative to those raised in deep litter housing. Birds from in
ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine had a significantly lowered daily feed intake (68.38 g/bird) relative to other
treatments. Deep litter housing significantly (p < 0.05) improved daily weight gain (25.02 g/bird) of birds as against
outdoor run (22.62 g/bird). It was concluded that in ovo injection of 11 or 22 mg of arginine numerically improved
hatchability and cell-mediated immune response with enhanced duodenal villi development, while in ovo injection of
22 mg of arginine and raising resulting birds on outdoor run is suitable for achieving significantly lower feed intake
with better feed conversion ratio in FUNAAB-Alpha chickens.

Keywords Arginine . Cell-mediated immune response . FUNAAB-Alpha chickens . In ovo . Performance

Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article
(https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02258-x) contains supplementary
material, which is available to authorized users.
* Olusola Joshua Odutayo
odutayooj@funaab.edu.ng
1
Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal
Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture,
P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
2
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B.
2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
Introduction
The limitation of the gastrointestinal tract in avian neonate to
effectively digest and assimilate nutrient at early post-hatch pe-
riod has been reported by Kirkwood (1983). This reduces the
availability of nutrients to chicks at early perinatal period as their
nutrient reliance is based on limited store of liver glycogen and
residual yolk reserves. The challenge of limited digestive capa-
bility in young hatchling can be surmounted by early feeding
strategy such as in ovo (Uni and Ferket 2003). In ovo feeding
technique serves to overcome the growth constraints associated
with limited digestive capacity of hatchling at early post-hatch
period (Foye et al. 2007) as it enhances enteric maturation before

hatching. Hence, chicks resulting from in ovo feeding have a
comparative advantage to digest and absorb nutrient in diets
presented at post-hatch relative to conventionally-hatched
chicks. Reports have proved the beneficial effects of in ovo
feeding to include improved hatchability (Sogunle et al. 2018),
enhanced development of duodenal villi in birds (Awachat et al.
2017) and improved feed utilisation (Bhanja et al. 2004).
Amino acids are structural unit of protein, necessary for
biosynthesis and metabolic processes. Arginine is an essential
amino acid that acts as substrate for the biosynthesis of bio-
chemical molecules thereby serving a number of important
biological and physiological functions in poultry (Khajali
and Wideman 2010) such as nitric oxide production which is
relevant to immune system response and defence mechanism
(Deng et al. 2005); arginine helps to avoid the harmful effects
of excessive free radicals produced during body metabolism
(Atakisi et al. 2009) as well as growth and reproduction
(Manwar et al. 2006; Fernandes et al. 2009). However, its
availability in the diets of breeders at the required level could
be limited by processing among other factors at the feed mill
hence its inclusion in ovo.
Due to growing consumers’ preference for poultry prod-
ucts; poultry farmers are interested in alternative poultry pro-
duction systems including outdoor run that will improve per-
formance without compromising birds’ welfare. The effects of
in ovo arginine feeding on hatching traits and post-hatch per-
formance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens rose in deep litter and
outdoor run is investigated in this study.
Material and methods
Experimental location
The experiment was carried out at the Poultry Unit of
Teaching and Research Farm and Animal Products and
Processing Laboratory, Department of Animal Production
and Health, Federal University of Agriculture (FUNAAB),
Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; within latitude 7°15′59.66″
N, longitude 3°26′13.64″ E (Google Earth 2019).
Source of fertile eggs
A total of 528 hatching eggs from breeder hen of FUNAAB-
Alpha chickens (age 38 weeks) were sourced from College of
Animal Science and Livestock Production, PEARL
FUNAAB Indigenous Chicken Breeder Farm.
Preparation of hatchery, setting and management
of hatching eggs
The hatchery equipment and its surroundings were cleaned
and disinfected. Thereafter, hatching eggs were sorted and
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balanced for weight. Thereafter, the eggs were fumigated
using formaldehyde and potassium permanganate in ratio
2:1 for 20 min in an enclosed chamber before setting. The
eggs were then managed with the provision of temperature
(37.50 °C), relative humidity (60%) and turned automatically
on hourly basis for 18 days in the setter.
Depiction of in ovo arginine treatments
Consist of control, in ovo injection of 11 mg and 22 mg of
arginine, these were dissolved in 0.5 ml of deionised water
and administered in ovo per egg.
Candling and redistribution of fertile eggs
after candling
At the 14th day of incubation, the eggs were candled using
hand held candler (Incu-Bright™ Cool light egg candler) to
ascertain living embryos. After candling a total of 378 eggs
contain living embryos. The fertile eggs were redistributed to
3 treatments, each having 126 eggs, replicated 14 times (9
eggs per replicate).
Procedure for in ovo injection of arginine
On the 18th day of embryonic development, the eggs were
injected with arginine into amnion using a 24-gauge hypoder-
mic needle (25 mm long) (Bhanja et al. 2004). Before injec-
tion, the points (broad end) for injection on the eggs were
sterilised with 30% ethanol. After injection the sites on the
eggs were sealed with candle wax and the eggs were trans-
ferred to hatching crates where they were managed until 21st
day of incubation.
Experimental design
The experiment was laid out in a completely randomised
design.
Hatched chicks and post-hatch management of birds
On the 21st day of incubation, a total of 343 chicks were
hatched from the 3 in ovo treatments; from which 330 chicks
were selected, balanced for weight and assigned to three in
ovo treatments groups with each replicated 5 times (22 birds
per replicate). The birds were brooded for 3 weeks in a deep
litter housing during which the gastrointestinal tract develop-
ment was assessed. After brooding, a total of 240 birds were
selected (on the basis of in ovo treatment) from the remaining
birds. The birds were reassigned to 6 treatments groups
consisting 3 × 2 factorial layout (3 in ovo treatments and 2
housing types). The treatments were replicated 4 times, each
containing 10 birds. The birds were managed intensively in
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two housing types (deep litter and outdoor run) with provision Embryonic mortality
of diets (Table 1) and water ad libitum till they attain 8 weeks
of age. This was evaluated at the 21st day of incubation by collecting
all un-hatched eggs on replicate basis. These were carefully
broken to observe the stage of embryonic mortality.
Description of experimental housing types
Dead in germ ð%Þ ¼ NoNoofofdead
fertile egg per replicate  100.
in germ per replicate

Each experimental unit of the deep litter housing has a

dimension of 1.4 m × 1.12 m while in outdoor run hous- No of dead in shell per replicate
Dead in shell ð%Þ ¼
ing; birds were raised on bare earth floor without veg- No of fertile egg per replicate
etative cover and each experimental unit measures
 100:
1.6 m × 1.32 m with half portion of the housing unit
fitted with a roof.

Evaluation of organ development and gut

histomorphometry
Data collection
At 7th day of age, two birds of average weight from each
Hatching characteristic replicate were selected and slaughtered by cervical disloca-
tion. Gut morphometry was evaluated by recording the
Egg weight and chick weight (g) were measured on replicate weights of proventriculus, gizzard, as well as the weight and
basis with the aid of sensitive scale (CAMRY). Chick to egg length of intestine (lengths of the gastrointestinal tracts were
ratio was calculated as the ratio of the chick weight to egg expressed in cm/100 g live weight). Physiological develop-
weight. Hatchability was evaluated at the 21st day of incuba- ment of the gut was also evaluated by histological examina-
tion by the formula: tion of duodenal villi. Two centimetres (2 cm) long duodenal
No of chicks hatched samples were collected in bottle containing 10% formal saline.
Hatchability ð%Þ ¼  100 The duodenal cut samples were prepared as slide for light
No of fertile eggs
electron microscopy as enunciated by Shamoto and
Yamauchi (2000).
Table 1 Percentage composition of diets

Ingredients Starter diet Finisher diet Assessment of cell-mediated immune response

Maize 58.60 62.50
Determination of the cell-mediated immunity of the birds was
Soybean meal 36.10 31.50
carried out at the 4th week of age using a bird per replicate.
Fats and oil (vegetable oil) 1.65 2.20
Cell-mediated immune response to phytohemagglutinin type
Limestone 1.00 1.10
P (PHA-P) was evaluated according to the method of Corrier
Bone meal 1.75 1.75
and Deloach (1990). At the 28th day post-hatch, 0.1 ml of
Salt 0.35 0.35
PHA-P was injected at the 3rd and 4th interdigital space of
Lysine 0.10 0.12
t\e right foot of birds selected. The left foot serves as control
Methionine 0.20 0.20
and was injected with 0.1 ml PBS (pH 7.2). The foot web
*Premix 0.25 0.28
index was calculated as difference between the swelling in
Total 100.00 100.00 the right and left feet before and after 24 as well as 48 h of
Calculated composition injection (expressed in millimetre). CMIR = (R2 − R1) – (L2
Metabolisable energy (Kcal/Kg) 2881.50 2907.30 − L1). R2 = Thickness of right foot web after 24 h of injection;
Crude protein (%) 21.89 19.42 R1 = Thickness of the right foot web before injection; L2 =
Crude fibre (%) 3.93 3.74 Thickness of left foot web after 24 h of injection; L1 =
Ether extract (%) 3.61 3.58 Thickness of the left foot web before injection.
Ash (%) 2.93 2.70

*Premix contains vit. A, 10,000,000 IU; D3, 2,000,000 IU; E, 12,500iu;
K, 1.30 g; B1, 1.30 g; B2, 4 g; D calcium pantothenate, 1.3 g; B6, 1.3 g;
B12, 0.01 g; nicotinic acid, 15 g; folic acid, 0.05 g; biotin, 0.02 g; Cu,
0.05 g; Co, 0.20; Fe, 25 g; I, 0.06 g; Mn, 48 g; Se, 0.10 g; Zn, 45 g;
choline chloride, 200 g; BHT, 50 g
Growth performance parameters
Growth performance indices including feed intake, body
weight gain and feed conversion ratio on replicate basis were
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Table 2 Effects of in ovo

injection of varying levels of Parameter Control 11 mg arginine/egg 22 mg arginine/egg SEM p value
arginine on hatching traits of
FUNAAB-Alpha chickens Egg weight (g/egg) 50.70 50.40 50.64 0.38 0.944
Hatchability (%) 92.86 88.39 91.07 1.28 0.368
Chick weight at hatch (g/bird) 33.82 34.44 34.50 0.25 0.492
Chick to egg ratio 0.67 0.69 0.68 0.01 0.503
Dead in germ (%) 0.89 6.26 2.68 0.96 0.064
Dead in shell (%) 6.25 5.36 6.25 1.06 0.928

measured, recorded and calculated on weekly basis from 3 to Results

8 weeks of age.
Data analysis
Data collected on hatching traits and organ development
and gut morphology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
7 days of age were subjected to one-way analysis of
variance; cell-mediated immune response data were pre-
sented as descriptive statistics (Bar charts) using 2013
Microsoft excel package. The experiment on post-hatch
growth performance was arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial
layout and data collected were analysed by two-way
analysis of variance. Significantly (p < 0.05) different
means among variables were separated using Tukey test
in Minitab® (2013) version 17.1.0.
Effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
on hatching traits of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens
The influence of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
on hatching traits of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens is presented in
Table 2. There were no significant variations in all the hatch-
ing traits considered. However, chick weight ranged from
33.82 g (control) to 34.50 g (chicks from eggs injected
22 mg of arginine). High chicks to egg ratios of 0.69 and
0.68 were recorded in chicks resulting from in ovo injection
of 11 and 22 mg of arginine relative to chicks from control
(0.67). Hatchability ranged from 88.39 (in ovo injection of
11 mg of arginine) to 92.86% (control). Hatchability was
91.07% in eggs injected 22 mg of arginine. Dead in shell
(DIS) was high (6.25%) in eggs under control and those

Table 3 Effect of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine on organ development and gut morphology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 7 days of age

Parameter Control 11 mg arginine/egg 22 mg arginine/egg SEM p value

Live weight (LW) (g/bird) 73.95 77.25 70.40 1.17 0.057

Organs1
Liver (%) 5.82 4.86 5.33 0.23 0.128
Empty gizzard (%) 7.23 8.29 6.44 0.88 0.434
Heart (%) 0.88 0.90 0.50 0.09 0.076
Proventriculus (%) 0.87 0.91 0.71 0.08 0.310
Gut
Duodenum (%) 2.50 2.33 1.70 0.19 0.125
Duodenum length (cm/100 g LW) 19.07 16.33 17.91 1.01 0.298
Jejunum (%) 3.11 3.17 2.33 0.44 0.420
Jejunum length (cm/100 g LW) 30.72 33.37 32.96 2.55 0.752
Ileum (%) 2.30 2.33 2.05 0.28 0.753
Ileum length (cm/100 g LW) 30.72 29.82 29.46 1.78 0.879
Caecum (%) 0.81 1.23 1.23 0.33 0.454
Colon (%) 0.47 0.45 0.71 0.09 0.249
Colon length (cm/100 g LW) 3.93 3.95 5.47 0.41 0.122
1
Values expressed as percentage of live weight
Trop Anim Health Prod
subjected to in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine compared to
lower DIS of 5.36% recorded in fertile eggs exposed to in ovo
injection of 11 mg of arginine. Low dead in germ (DIG)
(0.89%) was observed in eggs under the control as against
high DIG (2.68 and 6.25%) found in chicks from in ovo in-
jections of 22 and 11 mg of arginine.
Effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
on organ development and gut morphology
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 7 days of age
The effects of in ovo injection of varying level of arginine on
organ development and gut morphology of FUNAAB-Alpha
chickens at 7 days of age is presented in Table 3. There were
no significant (p > 0.05) variations in the measured organs and
gut morphological parameters.
Effect of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
on duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens
at 7 days of age
The effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine on
duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
7 days of age are presented in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. In Fig. 1,
duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens under
the control is shown. Few villi with moderate height (black
arrow) are observed. Also, the crypts (green arrow) and tunica
muscularis appear normal. Figure 2 represents the duodenal
villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens resulting from in
ovo injection of 11 mg of arginine. Numerous normal villi
(green arrow) were observed, crypts (red arrows) also ap-
peared normal. Figure 3 shows the duodenal villi histology
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens from in ovo injection of 22 mg
of arginine. Numerous tall intestinal villi (red arrow) were
observed. Enterocytes were intact and the crypts (green ar-
rows) were slightly reduced.
Villus
Crypt
Fig. 1 Duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens under the
control treatment at 7 days of age
Villus
Crypt
Fig. 2 Duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens from fertile
egg injected 11 mg of arginine at 7 days of age
Effect of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
on cell-mediated immune response of FUNAAB-Alpha
chickens to phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P)
at 28 days of age
The effect of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine on
cellular immune response of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
28 days of age is shown in Fig. 4. After 24 h of injecting
PHA-P, the highest (0.300 mm) cell-mediated immune re-
sponse was obtained in chicks from eggs injected 22 mg of
arginine while the lowest (0.223 mm) cellular immunity was
recorded in chicks obtained from the control. After 48 h of
injection, the highest cellular immune response of 0.230 mm
was recorded in chicks obtained from eggs on in ovo injection
of 11 mg of arginine compared to cell-mediated immune re-
sponse of 0.169 mm obtained in chicks from the control.
Effect of housing types on cell-mediated immune
response of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens
to phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) at 28 days
of age
The effect of housing types on cell-mediated immune
response of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 28 days of
Crypt
Numerous tall villi
Fig. 3 Duodenal villi histology of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens from fertile
eggs injected 22 mg of arginine at 7 days of age

Fig. 4 Effect of in ovo injection
of varying levels of arginine on
cell-mediated immune response
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
24 and 48 h
age is presented in Fig. 5. It was revealed that higher
cell-mediated immune response was obtained in chicks
raised in outdoor run after 24 (0.282 mm) and 48 h
(0.224 mm) of injecting PHA-P, whereas lower cellular
immune response were recorded from chicks raised in
deep litter housing system after 24 h (0.248 mm) and
48 h (0.159 mm) of injecting PHA-P.
Interactive effect of in ovo injection of varying levels
of arginine and housing types on cellular immune
response of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens
to phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) at 28 days
of age
The interaction effect of in ovo injection of varying
levels arginine and housing types on cell-mediated im-
mune response of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens to
phytohaemagglutinin type P (PHA-P) at 28 days of
age is shown in Fig. 6. After 24 h of injecting PHA-
P, higher cell-mediated immune response was obtained
in chicks raised on deep litter and from eggs injected
22 mg of arginine (0.451 mm), while after 48 h of
PHA-P injection, cell-mediated immune response was
higher (0.308 mm) in chicks on outdoor run and from
eggs injected 11 mg arginine.
Fig. 5 Effects of housing types on
cell-mediated immune response
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
24 and 48 h
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Effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine
and housing types on growth performance
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 3–8 weeks of age
Main effects in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine and
housing systems on growth performance of FUNAAB-Alpha
chickens at 3–8 week age is presented in Table 4. Significantly
(p < 0.05) higher daily feed intakes of 78.11 g/bird was record-
ed in birds from the control when compared to 68.38 g/bird
obtained in birds from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine. In
the main effect of housing types, significantly (p < 0.05)
higher daily weight gain of 25.02 g/bird was recorded in birds
reared on deep litter as against 22.62 g/bird in birds raised in
outdoor run. Interaction effects of in ovo injection of varying
levels of arginine and housing types on growth performance
of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 3–8 weeks of age is presented
in Table 5. Daily weight gain was significantly higher
(27.39 g/bird) in birds from control reared in deep litter, rela-
tive to birds from control reared in outdoor run (21.50 g/bird)
as well as birds from in ovo injection of 11 mg of arginine
raised in outdoor run (21.98 g/bird). Daily feed intake was
significantly higher (81.26 g/bird) in birds resulting from con-
trol reared in deep litter as against 65.24 g/bird recorded in
birds from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine reared in
outdoor run. The feed conversion ratio was significantly
poorer (3.49) in birds from control reared in outdoor run
Trop Anim Health Prod

Fig. 6 Effects of in ovo injection

of varying levels of arginine and
housing types on cell-mediated
immune response of FUNAAB-
Alpha chickens at 24 and 48 h

relative to better feed conversion ratio of 2.69 recorded in
birds from in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine reared in
outdoor run.
Discussion
The effects of in ovo injection of varying levels (0, 11 and
22 mg) of arginine on hatching traits of FUNAAB-Alpha
chickens revealed that hatchability was not significantly af-
fected by in ovo injection of arginine. However, it increased
numerically as in ovo injection of arginine increased from 11
to 22 mg/egg suggesting that in ovo feeding of arginine up to
22 mg/egg is non detrimental to embryogenesis. Contrary re-
port was observed by Al-Daraji et al. (2012) who found that in
ovo injection of arginine (1, 2 and 3%) significantly enhanced
hatchability, body weight and feed conversion ratio of
Japanese quail at 7 and 42 days of age. The influence of in
ovo injection of varying levels of arginine on organ develop-
ment and gut morphological parameters of FUNAAB-Alpha
chickens at 7 days of age were not significantly varied. This is
similar to the reports of Bhanja and Mandal (2005) who found
the weights of digestive organs and development of the intes-
tine at 21 days of age in broiler chickens resulting from in ovo
injection of amino acids and control to be statistically similar.
On the contrary, improvement in duodenal villi of birds
resulting from in ovo injection of arginine is adduced to se-
cretagogue activity of arginine by which it stimulates release
of gastrointestinal hormones (Kwak et al. 1999) encouraging
cell division, protein synthesis and tissue growth (Pegg and
McCann 1982). Awachat et al. (2017) also observed increased
villi heights in duodenum and ileum of birds resulting from in
ovo injection of arginine (22 mg) and arginine+threonine
(22 mg + 30 mg). Enhanced cell-mediated immune response
of the birds resulting from in ovo arginine injection is attrib-
uted to roles of arginine in enhancing the physiological func-
tions of immune cells (Tan et al. 2015). Bhanja et al. (2012)
found that response to PHA-P was significantly higher in
chicks from in ovo injection of lysine, arginine, glycine and
isoleucine relative to birds in control. Housing types influ-
enced cell-mediated immune response to PHA-P in birds as
higher foot pad index were obtained in birds in outdoor run

Table 4 Effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine and housing types on growth performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at 3–8 weeks
of age

Parameter In ovo arginine injection Housing types

Control 11 mg arginine/egg 22 mg arginine/egg SEM p value Deep litter Outdoor run SEM p value

Initial weight (g/bird) 306.79 297.73 287.59 9.31 0.364 294.19 300.55 7.60 0.560
Final weight (g/bird) 1162.50 1107.90 1122.50 33.30 0.498 1169.80 1092.10 27.2 0.057
Daily weight gain (g/bird) 24.45 23.15 23.85 0.95 0.631 25.02a 22.62b 0.78 0.040
Daily feed intake (g/bird) 78.11a 70.77a 68.38b 2.06 0.009 73.93 70.92 1.68 0.219
Feed conversion ratio 3.23 3.09 2.88 0.13 0.178 2.96 3.18 0.10 0.153
a,b
Means on the same row having different superscript letters are significantly (p < 0.05) different

Table 5 Interactive effects of in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine and housing types on growth performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens at
3–8 week of age
In ovo Arginine injection Control 11 mg arginine/egg
Housing types Deep litter Outdoor run Deep litter
Parameter
Initial weight (g/bird) 303.70 309.90 277.30
Final weight (g/bird) 1262.50 1062.50 1128.30
Daily weight gain (g/bird) 27.39a 21.50b 24.31ab
Daily feed intake (g/bird) 81.26a 74.96ab 68.99ab
Feed conversion ratio 2.96ab 3.49a 2.84ab
a,b
Means on the same row having different superscript letters are significantly (p < 0.05) different
relative deep litter housing. Improved immune response of
birds raised in outdoor run can be adduced to environmental
physiological adaptation in the birds as there is a probability
that they may be easily stressed owing to exposure to environ-
mental elements (cold, heat, wind, etc.) when compared with
deep litter housing (Dohms and Metz 1991). In main effects of
in ovo injection of varying levels of arginine on growth per-
formance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens, lowered daily feed
intake observed in birds resulting from in ovo injection of
22 mg of arginine as well as a numerically better feed conver-
sion ratio implies that birds in this treatment group consume
less feed, suggesting a comparatively better feed conversion
ratio (FCR). This may be hinged on the impact of arginine on
embryogenesis which positively influenced physiological
functionality of the intestine at perinatal period. Similar to
the findings of Bhanja et al. (2012) who assessed the effects
of in ovo injection of 25 mg each of lysine, methionine, thre-
onine, arginine, glycine and isoleucine on performance of
broiler chicken and found significantly higher body weight
resulting from in ovo injection of arginine and methionine at
4th and 7th weeks of age, without variations in the FCR. Birds
raised in deep litter had significantly higher daily weight gain
when compared to those raised in outdoor run. This indicates
that the growth rate of birds raised in the deep litter housing
was superior to those in outdoor run. This indicates superior
growth rate in birds raised in deep litter housing. Sogunle et al.
(2013) reported similar outcome that chickens reared in con-
finement achieved considerably higher body weight compared
to those on other housing types. In the interaction effects of in
ovo injection of varying levels of arginine and housing types,
significant variations were recorded in daily weight gain, daily
feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the birds.
Significantly higher daily weight gain and daily feed intake
were obtained in birds under control raised in deep litter with
statistically comparable values in birds from in ovo injection
of 11 and 22 mg of arginine raised in deep litter or outdoor run.
Relatively improved daily weight gain in birds from in ovo
injection of 11 and 22 mg of arginine in deep litter or outdoor
run is adduced to important physiological functions of
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22 mg arginine/egg
Outdoor run Deep litter Outdoor run SEM p value
318.20 301.60 273.60 11.3 0.065
1087.50 1118.80 1126.30 42.5 0.057
21.98b 23.35ab 24.36ab 1.16 0.027
72.55ab 71.53ab 65.24b 2.75 0.014
3.34ab 3.07ab 2.69b 0.14 0.010
arginine in promoting growth and development of body tis-
sues of birds. Arginine is a vital substrate necessary for bio-
synthesis of diverse biological molecules including nitric acid,
creatinine, ornithine and protein; serving a number of impor-
tant physiological functions in poultry Khajali and Wideman
2010 including promoting growth, reproduction, immune
functions and lowering the impact of environmental stressors.
In ovo injection was reported Al-Daraji et al. 2012 to improve
growth performance of Japanese quail. Subramaniyan et al.
(2019) found that in ovo injection of arginine (100 μg) in Ross
broiler breeder egg enhanced hatch rate, body weight, muscle
growth related protein and immune response. The contribu-
tion of housing types to final weight as well as daily weight
gain in the interaction effects could be explained from the
positive impact of housing in promoting comfort and overall
welfare of birds as reflected as improved weight gain.
Housing management is an important environmental factor
in poultry production that contributes to improved productiv-
ity as its influence affect growth, egg production and qualities
(Jin and Craig 1994); welfare (Kijowski et al. 2005) and car-
cass yield (Herendy et al. 2004). In addition, a significantly
lower and better feed conversion ratio observed in birds from
in ovo injection of 22 mg of arginine, raised in outdoor run
suggests that in ovo injection of arginine(22 mg) enhanced
physiological development of gastrointestinal tract of the birds
which resulted to improved post-hatch feed utilisation (Al-
Daraji et al. 2012) relative to other treatments while the out-
door run cater for the welfare necessities of the birds with
ability to express their natural behavioural instincts.
Conclusion
In ovo injection of 11 or 22 mg of arginine numerically im-
proved hatchability and cell-mediated immune response with
enhanced duodenal villi development. Also, in ovo injection
of 22 mg of arginine and raising resulting birds on outdoor run
is suitable for achieving significantly lower feed intake with
better feed utilisation (FCR) in FUNAAB-Alpha chickens.
Trop Anim Health Prod
Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to the World Bank Centre
of Excellence in Agriculture Development and Sustainable Environment,
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, for the grants in-aid provid-
ed for the study. The College of Animal Science and Livestock
Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, is also appreci-
ated for the provision of equipment and materials for the field study.
Compliance with ethical standards
Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of
interest.
Ethical approval All applicable international, national and/or institu-
tional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.
Informed consent Consent of every individual included in this study
was obtained.
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