EFFECT OF IN-OVO INJECTION OF TESTOSTERONE ON HATCHABILITY AND PLASMA CONSTITUENTS IN DOKKI-4 CHICKENS

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Poultry Production Dept., Fac. of Agric., Ain Shams Univ., P.O Box 68, Hadayek Shobra 11241, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of testosterone propionate (TP) on hatchability, chick measurements and some plasma metabolites in Dokki- 4 strain of chickens during embryogenesis stage. A total of 350 fertile eggs (45-55 g. in average) were individually weighed and incubated .At the 5th day of incubation, eggs were divided into 3 experimental groups as follow; control(C) non-injected groups ,while the other groups T1 and T2 eggs were injected in albumin with 25 and 100µg TP solvated in 50µl plant oil.  Results showed that hatchability % was significantly decreased in-ovo injected groups by 1214%than control groups, while embryonic mortality rate was increased by in-ovo injection with TP. Chick weight, total protein, albumin, calcium and phosphorus levels were significantly increased in TP injection than control .Also, male chicks % based on the visual examination was increased by TP in –ovo injection than control. 
 In conclusion: in-ovo injection of TP at the 5th day of incubation with 25 and 100µg TP/50µl plant oil had decreased the hatchability %, but increased embryonic mortality, some plasma constituents, male% ,chick weight and chick length in Dokki-4 strain of chickens. 

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