Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of in ovo feeding with glycosaminoglycans and vitamins, combined with amphotericin and gentamicin, on incubation traits, intestinal morphometry, organ development, and cadherin-1 gene relative abundance in broilers. Fertile Ross 308 breeder eggs were randomly assigned to the following five treatments: uninjected eggs; eggs injected with a solution containing amphotericin, gentamicin, ascorbic acid, and pyridoxine; the same solution supplemented with chondroitin sulfate; glucosamine sulfate; or both glycosaminoglycans. Hatching rate, embryo mortality, and total mortality were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). Broilers from the solution-based treatment showed higher relative heart weight at 1 day of age (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphometric parameters increased with age in both the jejunum and ileum. In ovo feeding modulated villus height, crypt depth, and villus height-crypt depth ratio, particularly in the ileum during early posthatch development. The relative abundance of the cadherin-1 (CDH1) gene was influenced by the interaction between in ovo feeding and age, with higher values observed in broilers receiving glycosaminoglycan-supplemented solutions at specific posthatch periods. In conclusion, in ovo feeding with glycosaminoglycans and vitamins modulated early intestinal development and relative heart weight without impairing hatchability in broilers.