Makkar S, Rath N C, Packialakshmi B, Huff W E, Huff G R
Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701.
USDA/Agricultural Research Service, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Poult Sci. 2015 Jun;94(6):1184-9. doi: 10.3382/ps/pev098. Epub 2015 Apr 3.
Eggshell membranes (ESM) contain a variety of proteins and peptides which help in the development of embryo and provide protection to it. Many of the peptides and proteins associated with ESM have antimicrobial, immune-modulatory, and adjuvant properties. We hypothesized that the membrane byproducts from egg, provided as posthatch nutritional supplements to chickens, may improve their performance and immunity. To explore its effect, we fed 3 groups of broiler chicks with feed containing 0, 0.2, and 0.4% ESM from d 1 posthatch through 14 d and regular feed thereafter. The birds were individually weighed at the onset of the study and at weekly intervals until the termination at third wk when they were bled and euthanized. The relative weights of liver, spleen, bursa, and heart, hematology profiles, and clinical chemistry variables including serum IgM, IgG, and corticosterone concentrations were measured. The chickens in the ESM treated groups showed a statistically significant increase in BW with no impact on relative organ weights. Compared with controls, the WBC and lymphocyte percentage increased in chickens fed 0.4% ESM whereas the monocyte percentage decreased at both levels of ESM. Except for the serum protein which increased in ESM fed birds no other metabolic clinical chemistry variables showed any significant change. Both IgM and IgG(Y) levels were elevated and corticosterone levels reduced in chickens fed ESM supplemented diets. Our results suggest that ESM supplements during the early phases of growth may improve immunity and stress variables, and enhance their growth performance without any detrimental effect on other physiological parameters.
蛋壳膜（ESM）含有多种蛋白质和肽，有助于胚胎发育并为其提供保护。许多与蛋壳膜相关的肽和蛋白质具有抗菌、免疫调节和佐剂特性。我们假设，作为孵化后营养补充剂提供给鸡的鸡蛋膜副产品可能会改善它们的生长性能和免疫力。为了探究其效果，我们从孵化后第1天到第14天，用含有0%、0.2%和0.4%蛋壳膜的饲料喂养3组肉鸡雏鸡，此后喂常规饲料。在研究开始时和每周称重一次，直到第三周结束时采血并处死。测量肝脏、脾脏、法氏囊和心脏的相对重量、血液学指标以及包括血清IgM、IgG和皮质酮浓度在内的临床化学变量。蛋壳膜处理组的鸡体重显著增加，对相对器官重量无影响。与对照组相比，饲喂0.4%蛋壳膜的鸡白细胞和淋巴细胞百分比增加，而在两个蛋壳膜水平下单核细胞百分比均降低。除了饲喂蛋壳膜的鸡血清蛋白增加外，其他代谢临床化学变量均无显著变化。饲喂添加蛋壳膜日粮的鸡IgM和IgG（Y）水平升高，皮质酮水平降低。我们的结果表明，在生长早期补充蛋壳膜可能会改善免疫力和应激变量，并提高它们的生长性能，而对其他生理参数没有任何不利影响。
