Beneficial Effects of Maternal Vitamin E Supplementation on the Antioxidant System of the Neonate Chick Brain

Tsai, H. L.; Chang, Sam K. C.; Lin, Y. F.; Chang, S. J.

doi:2008.21.2.225

Article

Swine Nutrition and Feed Technology

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 2008;21(2): 225-231.
https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2008.70220 Published online January 4, 2008.

Beneficial Effects of Maternal Vitamin E Supplementation on the Antioxidant System of the Neonate Chick Brain

H. L. Tsai, Sam K. C. Chang, Y. F. Lin, S. J. Chang^*

Correspondence: S. J. Chang,

Abstract

Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the laying stage which is a critical period for chick survival. We investigated the relationship of neonatal chick performance, brain antioxidant status and vitamin E supplementation level in hens. Starting at 17 weeks, hens were randomly divided into five groups. The control group received a basal diet without supplemental vitamin E (VE, dl-??tocopherol acetate). Other groups received the same basal diet supplemented with vitamin E (40, 80, 120 and 160 mg/kg) through growth to egg production. Hens were artificially inseminated at 28 weeks of age and egg yolks were collected at day two. All remaining eggs were hatched. Yolk vitamin E content, hatchability and fertility of eggs were evaluated. Brains of the newly hatched chicks were further evaluated for their oxidative stress status, antioxidative status and vitamin E levels. Increased reproductive performance was observed in fertility and hatchability in the group supplemented at 40 mg/kg. Egg yolk and neonatal brain ??tocopherol was highest in eggs from hens fed 120 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg supplemental vitamin E, respectively. Brain MDA, ROS and iron levels were significantly higher in unsupplemented hens (p<0.01). SOD activity was significantly higher in the group supplemented at 160 mg/kg than in all other groups. We concluded that maternal supplementation of vitamin E had beneficial effects on fertility, hatchability of eggs, neonatal brain oxidative status and SOD activity.

Keywords: Vitamin E; Antioxidation; Oxidative Stress; Brain; Hatching; Chick