Carotenoids from in ovo or dietary sources blunt systemic indices of the inflammatory response in growing chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus).
Lutein, a dihydroxycarotenoid, has antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential. Two 2 x 2 x 2 factorial designs examined effects of carotenoids during in ovo embryogenesis and, in the diet posthatch, on the systemic inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In both trials, breeder hens were fed a carotenoid-replete (40 mg lutein/kg) or a carotenoid-deplete diet, eggs were collected, and chicks were hatched from carotenoid-deplete or carotenoid-replete eggs. Meat-type chicks (n = 160 and n = 144, respectively) were then fed diets containing 0 or 40 mg lutein/kg diet and either injected or not injected with LPS. LPS injection increased plasma haptoglobin and Zn (P < 0.01) and reduced plasma Fe and Cu (P < 0.01). Chicks hatched from carotenoid-deplete eggs had greater changes in plasma Fe and S post-LPS than chicks hatched from carotenoid-replete eggs (P < 0.05 for each). Compared with chicks fed 40 mg lutein/kg diet, chicks fed 0 mg lutein had greater body weight losses and higher plasma haptoglobin and relative thymus, bursa, and spleen weights post-LPS (P < 0.05). Data suggest that a lack of carotenoid exposure, either in ovo or posthatch, increases parameters of systemic inflammation.
Department of Animal Science, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA. ekoutsos@calpoly.edu
Elizabeth A
EA
Koutsos
Juan Carlos
JC
García López
Kirk C
KC
Klasing
D000818:Animals; D002060:Bursa of Fabricius / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development*; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009929:Organ Size; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013154:Spleen / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013455:Sulfur / Q000097:blood; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015431:Weight Loss; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D006242:Haptoglobins; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D002338:Carotenoids; D013455:Sulfur; D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc; D014975:Lutein